.svg)
Hello and welcome to another edition of The Impact.
This week, we’ve got details on writing a great letter of inquiry, how writing style affects the grant evaluation process, a unique fundraising idea, and so much more.
So grab your afternoon coffee, kombucha, or other beverage of choice, and enjoy another weekly dose of grant writing news.
Opportunities Spotlight
Kars4Kids Small Grant Program
Who It’s For: 501c3 lay organizations focused on improving the lives of America’s children
Next Deadline: Rolling
Grant Amount: US $500 - US $2,000
The Details:
- This is an ongoing grant program without set deadlines
- Each grant amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis
- Typical considerations include mission alignments and availability of funds
- Determinations may take up to four months
Environment Initiative Grants
Who It’s For: Current 501(c)(3) organizations with specific projects or programs that improve the environment at a multi-state, national, and/or systems level
Next Deadline: Jun 14, 2024 (Letter of Inquiry)
Grant Amount: US $25,000 - US $75,000
The Details:
- Typically funds costs associated with project management, contracted services, education and outreach programs, applied research, and innovations
- The Foundation’s priorities include:
- Climate and Energy: Increasing affordability and use of cleaner and renewable energy and reducing demand for carbon-intensive energy sources, goods, and services
- Toxics and Waste: Reducing damage to the environment and human health due to consumer and industrial products
- Clean Water: Protecting and restoring the quality of freshwater, coastal, and nearby oceanic areas in the United States
👉 Apply Here!
Looking for something different?
👉 Browse thousands of other grant opportunities here!
Pitfalls and Pointers
You know ‘em, you may or may not love ‘em, but you’ve definitely written at least one – we’re talking letters of inquiry.
A letter of inquiry (LOI) is often your first impression to a funder.
You have just a few hundred words to convince a foundation that your organization is a good fit for their grant.
So let’s talk about how to nail it.
⚠️ Pitfall: Sending a Cookie Cutter LOI
Writing grants can sometimes feel like saying the same thing over and over again.
- This is who we are.
- This is what we do.
- Please consider our application.
It’s not like the important stuff changes from project to project, right?
Even if that is the case, resist the temptation to send a generic LOI.
Trust us, they know. And your LOI won’t land nearly as well as a customized letter would.
Which brings us to our pointer…
💡 Pointer: Customize Every LOI
Taking the time to write a custom LOI for every grant you apply for helps you stand out.
- Address the reader by name
- Discuss your nonprofit’s specific program
- Make the “ask” clear and specific
- Tell them exactly how their grant can help
Because on the other side of that LOI is another human looking for a connection.
So tell them your story. And illustrate how they can be a part of it.
🎖️ Discover more expert tips and access free LOI templates here!
Fundraising Inspiration
You’ve got enough on your plate writing grants and winning funding for your nonprofit. Let us help you take a load off with this creative idea for your next fundraiser.
The Balloon Pop Raffle
You’ll Need:
- Lots of balloons
- Small slips of paper
- A variety of prizes
You’ll Do:
- Write the prizes on different slips of paper
- Roll the slips up and hide them inside the balloons
- Blow up the balloons and offer them in exchange for donations
You'll Get:
- Monetary donations directly to your organization
- A chance to raise awareness for your cause
Tech You Should Know
One of the most important yet often overlooked elements of grant writing: research.
Finding high quality sources to back up your claims and better tell the story of your cause can make or break a proposal.
But where can you find these scholarly articles and peer-reviewed data?
What:
Google Scholar: A search engine specifically for scholarly literature, including articles, theses, books, abstracts, and more.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Describing a Problem: By including relevant data on the problem you’re looking to solve – and the potential ramifications if you don’t – you can easily illustrate why your cause matters.
- Defending Your Solution: How exactly will your project help your cause? Citing similar projects and their results can help you justify why your project is worth funding.
- Measuring the Impact: If you’re able to show how your project will make a lasting impact on your community, funders might see your cause as the best bang for their buck.
Keep in Mind:
- Beware of Paywalls: Although Google Scholar is a free tool, some studies might be hidden behind paywalls. If you think you’ve found the perfect article, don’t be afraid to reach out to the researchers directly for the full paper.
- Vet Your Sources: Just because it’s labeled scholarly doesn’t mean it’s credible. Always verify how studies were conducted and where their own research came from before making it part of yours.
Looking for more data on… well, data?
✍️ Check out these grant proposal research tips!
Expert Perspectives
Hamna Khuld on Relationships and Feedback
Finding the right grants to help break the cycle of poverty is a challenging task. But as a seasoned grant writer, Hamna Khuld of Oasis—a Haven for Women and Children—has become a pro at searching for and vetting the perfect opportunities for her organization.
We recently sat down with Hamna to see what tips she could share with her fellow grant writers.
Here’s her expert advice:
- Build Relationships: One way to do this is to invite funders to visit your organization. This allows them to see your organization’s work in action, how your programs are developing, and how money is being used.
- Ask for Feedback: Ask funders honestly – why wasn’t my application accepted? This signals that you’re interested and open to learning. Plus, it opens doors for future applications.
👉 See how else this nonprofit managed to save 83% of their time!
Networking Nook
The opportunities that were originally shared in this issue of The Impact have since passed. To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📑 Study: The effect of writing style on success in grant applications
How does writing style affect the way grant applications are evaluated? This comprehensive study set out to find answers – and the results could help you get further in the evaluation process.
📼 Video: Grants Myths and Urban Legends w/ Hisham Ali Bob
Hisham Ali Bob is a tri-lingual community leader and nonprofit professional dedicated to helping community organizations do their work. In this partner workshop, he breaks down and demystifies common grant myths and urban legends.
🎙️ Podcast: The 10 Commandments of Working with a Nonprofit Board
In the latest episode of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Dr. Patton McDowell sits down with Erik Hanberg to discuss how to build a productive relationship with your nonprofit’s board of directors.
Looking for an Easier Way to Win Funding?
With Instrumentl, you can prospect, track, manage, and win grants, all in one user-friendly platform.
