Government Opportunities for Small Business

Government Opportunities for Small Business, Harriet Grayson, Ocean Breeze Press, 2011

The federal government has a seemingly unlimited number of grant opportunities. This book attempts to simplify the grant-writing process.

The first step is to find the grants that are being offered. There are a number of places to look, including the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Apply for grants only in areas where your non-profit is qualified (if you are an arts organization, why are you applying for an agriculture grant?). Get a copy of the instructions from the grantor, usually called something like Request for Proposal, or RFP. Read it thoroughly, then read it again. The grantor may get very picky about what should, or should not, appear in your application. You don't want an otherwise first-rate application to be rejected because you couldn't follow directions.

How do you get a government agency to notice your little-old non-profit? Have you handled similar projects in the past? Is your non-profit, or your staff, distinctive in some way? As you put together your application, follow exactly the directions in the RFP. Give the grantor some sort of idea about your anticipated budget, and the financial records you will keep about the project. When the application is done to the best of your ability, send it to the grantor.

The RFP should indicate the waiting time for an answer from the grantor. If the answer is Yes, the celebrate and rejoice (and start work on your next application). If your application is rejected, it is not the end of the world. The grantor will usually tell you why it was rejected. That way, you will be much more prepared for next time.

This is a short, and very interesting, book about a potential source of revenue for groups and individuals. It is very easy to read and understand, and is very much worth the reader's time.

Guide to Grants Writing for Non-Profits

Guide to Grants Writing for Non-Profits, Harriet Grayson, Ocean Breeze Press, 2013

For many non-profit organizations, grants are a very lucrative source of income. How does one get their modest non-profit noticed by all those corporations and foundations?

 It is going to take a lot of time and research. Visit the website of your local bank or credit union. Visit the websites of major retailers in your area. They are always looking for opportunities for good public relations. For a new non-profit, applying for a grant from the federal government might be reaching a little high, so try your state government first (the book provides websites to visit).

Some foundations might restrict their giving to, for instance, a certain geographic area, or groups run by women, or veterans, or minorities. If the grant is for a specific purpose, make sure that your group can handle it; don't apply for everything. Read the requirements, usually called the RFP, or Request for Proposal, thoroughly; then read it again. Some grantors will get very particular about what should be in the grant proposal, and how long each part should be. Follow those directions exactly. You don't want an otherwise first-rate grant proposal to be rejected simply because you didn't follow directions.

How does one get the grantor to approve the proposal? Be concise, but tell a compelling story. Mention other grants that you have received in the past. Include your proposed budget. How will your group fulfill the need better than any other group? In short, force the grantor to choose your group. If your proposal is rejected, it's not the end of the world. Sometimes the grantor will explain why they rejected it. Therefore, you will be that much more prepared next time.

This book is short, it gets right to the point, and it's very easy to read. For any person, or any group, who is new to the grants world, here is a good place to start.