The document provides tips for grant writing, including how to prepare by knowing your organization, customers/audience, and potential funding sources. It outlines key elements of a successful grant proposal such as the summary, introduction, problem statement, objectives, methods, evaluation, future funding plan, and budget. The tips advise grant writers to present their organization's mission and needs in a compelling way to the specific funding source and ensure all elements of the proposal support and are consistent with each other.

1. Grant Writing – Tips for the New and Occasional Writer South Dakota Community Foundation June & July, 2010

2. Introduction Successful grant writing is the art of presenting your organization -- its mission, needs, and capabilities --to a specific audience in a compelling way.

4. A Grant Writer’s Checklist

5. Preparing to Write

7. Know Your Customers

10. Brief Description of Services/Programs

11. Resumes/Vitae of all Key Staff

12. Board of Directors List

13. Key Collaborators List

18. How has money been awarded in the past?

19. What type(s) of recipients?

20. What type(s) of projects?

21. Average $ award?

24. Where do I Find a Grant Source? Different types of organizations qualify for different types of grants intended for different purposes.

26. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

28. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html - Federal Register

29. www.grants.gov – Federal grants information portal

30. http://www.tgci.com (The Grantsmanship Center)

32. http://philanthropy.com (Chron. of Phil.)

33. http://www.nptimes.com (NonProfit Times)

34. http://www.hoovers.com (Business/corporate phil. research tool)

35. Internet search engines (Google, AltaVista, etc.)

36. Networking with Colleagues

38. Governor’s Office of Economic Development

40. Individuals and Businesses

41. Other Nonprofit Service Organizations

42. Community Foundations

44. Extensive online resources – be sure to explore in detail

45. CD-ROM resources – “Cooperating collections” in all states

48. Introduction

49. Problem Statement/Needs Assessment

50. Goals and Objectives

51. Methods (Activity Plan)

52. Evaluation

53. Future or Other Funding

55. Identifies the applicant

56. Includes at least one sentence on:

57. Credibility

58. The problem

59. Goals and objectives

61. Total project cost

62. Funds already obtained

63. Amount requested in proposal

64. Is brief

65. Is clear

67. Agency/organization mission and goals

68. Programs and activities

69. Clients and/or constituencies

71. Quotes/endorsements in support

72. Supports applicant qualifications specific to application

73. Leads logically to the problem statement

74. Is as brief as possible

75. Is interesting

77. “Reasonable” problem dimensions

78. Supported by statistical evidence

79. Supported by statements from authorities

81. Is not the “lack of program”

82. Makes no unsupported assumptions

83. Is:

84. Free of jargon

85. Interesting to read

86. Compelling

88. Describes outcomes -- not methods

89. Defines the population served

90. States when objectives will be met

92. Clearly describes program activities

93. States reasons for selection of activities

94. Describes:

95. Sequence of activities

96. Staffing and resources to complete activities

98. Reasonable scope of activities

99. Accomplished within time allotted

101. Accomplishment of goals and objectives (product or outcome)

102. Methods used and modified (process)

103. Tells who will perform evaluation, qualifications, how chosen

104. Clearly states criteria for success

106. Describes process of data analysis

108. For construction projects: how will maintenance costs be secured?

109. How will other funds be obtained to continue the project?

110. ***Minimal reliance on future grant support***

112. Is detailed in all aspects

113. Projects costs incurred at time of program implementation

114. No unexplained amounts or miscellaneous or contingency

115. Includes all items asked of funding source

117. Details fringe benefits -- separate from salaries

118. Includes all consultants & contractors

119. Separately details all non-personnel costs

120. Include indirect costs where appropriate

123. Build solid relationships

126. Schedule planning meetings with key players

127. Write and rewrite key sections as your agency & strategic plan change