In This Issue:
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Keys to Writing Federal Grants – Ten “Musts” for Success |
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Term Limits: Only 'Perfect' Boards Can Do Without Them |
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How Many Nonprofits are in the U.S.? |
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Keys to Writing Federal Grants – Ten “Musts” for Success
Sumption & Wyland started in 1990 as a grantsmanship firm. While we focus on strategic planning and training, we still like to return to our grantsmanship roots, especially when we have the opportunity to share what we've learned in 12+ years and $54 million+ in successful applications.
Later this month, we'll be presenting at a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Here's a sneak peek at the main handout!
From the "Ten "'Musts' for Success":
1. Be honest about “fit”
If the call for proposals is directed at health care access for kids, don’t expect that you can be a creative enough writer to seek fitness building services for the elderly.
The call for proposals clearly defines the intent and goals of the funding agency. If the fit isn’t strong, even the best proposal will be denied.
Remember that writing a federal proposal takes from 60 to 100 hours or more. Make sure you invest in good research to find the program that matches to the greatest extent possible with your program needs.
2. Partnerships matter
Over the past several years, Federal grant programs, in general, have more strongly favored projects that include collaboration and partnerships. Demonstrating how groups are working together adds significant strength for a grant proposal.
Make sure partnerships are well-documented. Memoranda of agreement and other formal documents outlining how agencies work together demonstrate strong alliances.
3. Write to connect with BOTH “heads” and “hearts”
Some people tend to be analytical -- "just the facts, ma'am." Other people are more feeling, responding to the personal stories behind the "cold" statistics. Be prepared to include a strong mix of documented facts on the need coupled with case study profiles and anecdotal evidence to persuade and convince both types of readers.
Term Limits: Only 'Perfect' Boards Can Do Without Them
We believe that term limits are good for nonprofit boards and for the volunteers who govern nonprofit organizations.
A recent column in The NonProfit Times challenged the idea of term limits, using the provocative headline, "Term Limits: Only Dysfunctional Boards Need Them."
Michael Wyland's response was printed in the February 1, 2003 issue of The NonProfit Times, but not posted on their web site. In case you're not a subscriber, you can read the complete piece on our web site.
How Many Nonprofits are in the U.S.?
Did you know that, according to the IRS, in 2001 there were over 860,000 501(c)3 charities in the U.S.? It's true! Over the past few years, that number has been increasing at about 4% annually.
If you add in all the other categories of nonprofits, like professional associations, service clubs, country clubs, etc., the total jumps to about 1.4 million.
The IRS estimates that, by 2008, it will be processing 200,000+ *additional* Form 990 information returns from nonprofits each year, a 25% increase from the present workload.
The nonprofit sector in the U.S. is large, it's growing, and it's diverse.
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