How to know what grant funders are looking for when awarding grants.

As a grant writer, I have had several people ask me why some non profit projects are getting funding and others are lacking. Read on for more information on how to know What Grant funders are looking for when awarding grant funds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Is your project fulfilling a strong need in the community? This is a must. If you can not show that your project that you are requesting the grant for fulfills a need, you more than likely will not be granted funds from the government.
2. Does your project have a leader with experience? Grant funders look at the whole picture, if your leader lacks in skills they may be more skeptical about rather the grant funds will go to good use.
3. Does your organization have a good history of financial responsibility. Grant funders also look at the financial history of the organization to see what problems the group might of had. If your organization has had problems in the past, be prepared to answer them and show how you organization has improved. If a bank would not give your organization a loan, your group will need to show great strength in other areas.
4. Does your project have a good project description? It must be clear to the Granters what you plan on doing with the funds and how you may pay for parts of the project if the grant does not cover 100% of the project. Most grants require that the project is completed rather or not the grant funds cover the whole project. This can be done by lowering expenses or raising funds.
5. Is your organization well networked within the community? Granters look for organizations that are highly respected in the community. They also want to see that the community was involved in identifying the problem and the solution that brought the project about.

Tips & Warnings

• You must always follow the guide lines of the grant proposal. If the grant funders request, even if the request seems behind times. For example, like using a type writer to fill out forms instead of using a electronic form.