From dream to project

#2 in series of 3 - Others are (1) how do you fund your dream and (3) from project to funding

Many people dream big and have ideas of what they want to do. Turning those dreams and ideas into a specific project with essential funds to make it a reality can be challenging. Often the process requires time and knowledge that the organization’s staff does not have.

A grant writer can facilitate that process in consultation with key staff and leaders. The first part of the process (steps 1-4) can be daunting and simply beyond the limits of the organization’s leaders. An initial consultation can lead to a working agreement about roles and responsibilities – and costs – necessary to submit a compelling proposal to a potential funder.

STEP 1: Define a specific project to be funded.

When staff, board members, or volunteers hear about a grant being offered by a foundation – especially a large grant that “would solve all our problems” – they often look around for someone who could write a grant application for that money. The question of why they want the money comes after the initial excitement.

A grant writer knows that the first step must be defining the purpose – a specific project or program to be funded by a foundation. What do they want to do? What specific project within the capacity of the organization would help fulfill their mission and enhance their work of seeking justice and making peace?

STEP 2: Describe details of the project (objectives, timeline, personnel, budget).

            The project can come from a dream or vision within the organization, but it must be defined in detail before a search for potential funders can be successful. Every platform that enables an organization and the grant writer to discover foundations and specific grants that will align with the project requires answers to detailed questions.

·       Summarize the project itself and how it fits the organization’s mission.

·       Name the specific goals and objectives of this project.

·       Describe the focus population for the project – who will be helped and how - or ways in which this project will enhance justice and peace in the world.

·       Define the roles and responsibilities, with time and resources required, of everyone involved in completing the project or continuing the program.

·       Develop a timeline for this project, based in part on whether this is a one-time or a multi-year grant.

·       Build a budget for the project and show how it will impact the full financial resources of the organization.

STEP 3: Research options for funders and available grants.

            Someone who writes grant proposals regularly works with a platform (like GrantWatch) to use data from the first two steps to generate a list of potential funders and open grant periods that fit the scope and timeframe of this project. That list can be narrowed to a few key grants to apply for at this point – and potential funders for the future.

            Someone connected to the organization or in their network may have learned of an available grant being offered to add to the list – or as a place to begin.

STEP 4: Submit a letter of intent (LOI) to one or more funders, if required.

            Some foundations require a letter of intent (LOI) for them to evaluate whether this organization and the proposed project fits with their objectives and current resources. Writing a proposal without a positive response from them would be premature.

Many grants announced by various funders do not require an LOI and invite open proposals. They may have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) which will clarify their objectives and requirements to be used in writing a proposal.

By now we have completed enough of the process to begin the writing and full development of a successful proposal. We’re not finished yet. Just getting started.