“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

TOP 5 DO’S & DON’TS OF GRANTSEEKING

Presented by Meredith Printz

To Missoula Forum for Children & Youth-Forum Connections

September 23, 2014

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Cleveland Foundation,1914

“Here is a large sum of money. I want to leave it to be used for the good of the community, but I have no way of knowing what will be the greatest need of the community 50 years from now, or even 10 years from now. Therefore, I place it in your hands,…you and your successors,…to determine what should be done with this sum to make it most useful for people of each succeeding generation.”

- Frederick H. Goff, in an interview with Colliers Magazine.

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

MissoulaCF Mission

Mission: To provide leadership and promote long-term local philanthropy to ensure the present and future vitality of the Greater Missoula community.

Grantee- Missoula Children’s Theater

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Grantmaking

• Arts & Culture• Community/Economic

Development• Education• Environment• Health & Human Services• Kids & Youth• Organizational

Development

Interest Areas:

Grantee-Headwaters Dance Company

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Do: Your Research

• DO identify projects based on your organization’s goals that align with the funding priorities of grantmakers.

• DO identify suitable funding prospects:  • Montana Foundation Directory. Billings, MT: Montana State University-Billings Library,

biennial. Contains entries for foundations active in Montana and out-of-state foundations known to have contributed in Montana. http://www.msubillings.edu/library/grants.htm

• Foundation Directory Online: Searchable database of grantmakers. Ability to search by location. https://fdo.foundationcenter.org/

• DON’T try to convince a funder to invest in your nonprofit if you do not fit within their specific areas of focus.

http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Do: Make Personal Contact

• DO contact the funding institution and speak or meet with someone about your organization and/or program before submitting the proposal.

• DO ask for additional information that might not appear on their website.

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/management-tips/9-grant-seeking-dos-and-don-ts/

http://saddlergrantproposal.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/7-grantseeking-dos-and-donts/

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Do: Follow the Directions

• DO submit the right information to the right person by the right deadline.

• DO make sure to answer each question as they ask it.

• DON’T give the funder a reason to eliminate you from the consideration process before they even read the proposal.

http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf

http://meankitty.wordpress.com/

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Do: Edit & Proofread

• DO proofread to ensure you are using proper grammar and spelling.

• DO write and rewrite until your proposal is clear, sincere and compelling.

http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Do: Tell a Story

• Storytelling is a great way to liven up your grant proposals, capture your readers’ attention and add more emotional connection to your cause.

• The best way to collect stories is to conduct interviews with people that have benefited from your nonprofit’s work.

• Here are three questions you should ask every time you interview someone about your NPO:• What need brought you to our organization?• What services did we provide to you?• How did the service improve your life?

http://www.nonprofithub.org/grant-writing/tell-story-use-interviews-enhance-grant-proposals/

http://www.communicationmark.com

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Willapalooza- October 22nd, 5-7pmHelping Missoulians get started with Estate Planning

Join us October 22, 2014 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts to learn what you need to know about making a will or advance directive.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:5:00pm – 5:15pm Welcome & Introductions5:15pm – 5:45pm Speaker – Power of Leaving a Legacy5:45pm – 6:00pm Estate Planning Basics6:00pm – 7:00pm Meet our Experts Session & Social Hour

“For the Good of Missoula Forever”

Resources• Slide #5 http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#

sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf• Slide #6

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/management-tips/9-grant-seeking-dos-and-don-ts/

http://saddlergrantproposal.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/7-grantseeking-dos-and-donts/• Slide #7 http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#

sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf

http://meankitty.wordpress.com/• Slide #8 • http://npengage.com

/nonprofit-fundraising/grant-writing-101-your-gps-success/#sthash.nrb2g1rc.dpuf• Slide #9

http://www.nonprofithub.org/grant-writing/tell-story-use-interviews-enhance-grant-proposals/ • http://www.communicationmark.com