3.1 Introduction

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

 

Grant writing starts with knowing where to find a grant that will match the needs of the applicant. Grants can be funded privately or through the local, state, or federal government. It is up to the proposal team to come up with innovative ideas to help their organization or the community in which they serve. The ideas should be unique when applicable, but also grounded in logic with deliverables that can be measured and attained within the time allotted for the grant period. Some grants are funded for a year, and others extend for several years. Grants can also be applied for (and won!) on an annual basis, provided the project was successful and additional funding is needed to sustain and/or expand efforts.

Chapter 3 dives into the deep well of exploring funding options. This chapter sheds light on various sources for grant projects, the differences between government and private grants, tips on researching funding opportunities, and examples of successful funding strategies. At the end of the chapter, you will find an activity to create a script for communicating professionally with funding organizations to learn more about grant writing.

3.2 Different Sources of Funding for Grant Projects

Grants are funded by a variety of different sources ranging from private to public depending on the type of project. Some of the most common are grants issued by government agencies. These grants can be at the local, state, or federal level, and they provide funding for things such as research or education for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community development. Here are some common federal choices with short descriptions to explore, but looking at grant opportunities within your local area or state first is an excellent idea. *The links are live and will take you to an external site.

When researching and exploring grant opportunities, there are a few other categories. Funding is available through corporate grants and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs like Google.org grants, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and Amazon Future Engineer Grants  (please be aware that opening these links will take you to an external site). Organizations are more likely to receive funding from local foundations like United Way and Walmart. They require unique qualifications such as workforce development, STEM education programs, community-based programs, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, and sustainability.

Another category that can be found when exploring grant projects is crowdfunding and community grants as seen in organizations like GoFundMe, GlobalGiving, and Patreon. In smaller cases public fundraising is a great source of funding and in others it might be sensible to connect nonprofit organizations with donors. Funds can be used for artists, creators, or even for social impact projects.

Finally, it is worth mentioning academic and research grant programs like the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Fulbright Program, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Although they have very specific criteria, they make a huge impact in the lives of many qualifying students and faculty.

3.3 Researching Funding Opportunities

A strategic approach is required to effectively research funding opportunities. An organization may spend a significant amount of time identifying the best grants and funding sources, but this can be a great investment to support a program. Matching the grant with the project in the early planning stage will save time in the end.

As you begin your research, create a simple outline or spreadsheet to help with tracking your work, like the one below. Sometimes grant writers have to wait until the following year to submit. Keeping everything in the spreadsheet allows the grant team to drill down and find is needed throughout each year improving grant writing efforts.

In the search to find a perfect grant competition, continue to ask questions to narrow down funding opportunities. A great place to start is with grant databases and directories like the ones listed in Chapter 2. Often there are government grants that are available for large-scale funding. Depending on the funding needed, there are social media sites to research along with community and private grants.

Sometimes your organization is not eligible to receive the funds of a grant. It does not mean that you need to stop. Instead, try to collaborate with a partner who can. Collaborating on projects with partner entities strengthens any grant proposal. When a nonprofit isn’t the right entity to receive funds, working with an eligible entity will allow you to write the grant and complete the work together.

Finally, once you find a grant that matches your needs, consider looking at the past recipients and what their businesses do. Keep in mind things like matching fund requirements, eligibility, and project alignment with the funder’s goals and mission statement. Using strategies like these will be helpful in organizing ideas and maintaining a focus of the grant proposal, ensuring alignment between the goals of the organization and the funder.

3.4 Case Studies that refer to Successful Funding Strategies

Exploring various case studies can provide valuable insight of funding strategies that currently or previously have been used by successful organizations. Whether the grant seekers are data-driven or focus on partnerships, science, or innovative projects – success is success. Here are some examples of entities that have developed extensive strategies for success in funding:

1. Nonprofit or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and strategic partnerships:^[14] Many NGOs have successfully secured funding by forming strategic partnerships. These collaborations often lead to innovative solutions and sustainable funding models. Certain NGOs have enhanced their funding prospects by aligning with organizations that share similar goals, allowing them to amplify their impact and resource base.
2. Research institutions and public-private funding:^[15] The development of the open-source software library scikit-learn exemplifies effective use of diverse funding sources. By combining public research grants, commercial sponsorships, micro-donations, and significant government funding, scikit-learn has maintained its operations and growth. This approach highlights the benefits and challenges of balancing various funding streams in open-source projects.
3. Foundations and innovative funding approaches:^[16] Foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneer Portfolio have adopted unique funding strategies to support early-stage, high-impact ideas. By investing in innovative projects, they have seeded and scaled initiatives such as Project ECHO. Foundations can effectively nurture groundbreaking solutions by offering grants that you can explore or apply for, allowing innovate ideas to be funded.
4. Municipalities and equitable funding allocation:^[17] Cities like Philadelphia and Minneapolis have implemented data-driven approaches to ensure equitable distribution of funding for urban park systems. By analyzing community needs and resource allocation, these cities have developed strategies that promote fairness and inclusivity in public space development.

Finding a method to the madness is essential for successful grant writers. Most funders have a question and answer period. The next chapter focuses on communication between the grant team and outside reviewers and past grant recipients.

Learning Activities