WHAT IS GRANTSMANSHIP?

The process of initiating, developing and stewarding relationships with grant makers
Project development, proposal development, and the right funder match are key to successful grantsmanship
Grantsmanship is a unique intersection between your organization’s mission and how you live it out.
Grantsmanship is often the ONLY place where an organization is called to explain the who, what, where, when and how of the work being done to accomplish its mission.
Not just about funding, opportunity to strengthen organization

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE:

A tool for conveying detailed information about a proposed project to a funder for grant consideration
A response to a funder’s application process
Expression of your case for support around a specific program or project

NOT grants—We write proposals to receive grants from funders giving away money
NOT easy and simplistic
NOT guarantees. The best projects can have the best proposals and still receive funding.
NOT a quick source of funding
NOT a good source of long-term fiscal health

A plan describing the need for funding, resources required, activities planned and outcomes expected among people served
A necessary step to be ready for successful proposal development
Part of developing your organization’s case for support

Impact is the fundamental change or long-term outcome you desire in the population, communities or systems you serve as a result of your program activities
Your impact should be a fulfillment of some aspect of your organizational mission
The goal of sustainability is being around long enough to create impact

Many organizations focus on what they need instead of what they do well when communicating with donors
Most organizations prioritize the urgent over the important because of the nature of their work—this is a comfort zone that is hard to break
Often the only information organizations have to share about programs is output data—things they can count that are evidence of services provided
But outputs don’t translate to impact, unless we connect the dots
REMEMBER—people (donors and funders) become involved in organizations to make a difference—constant need-based communication doesn’t tell funders how they are making a difference

Foundations: Private or Family (Independent), Community, Corporate, Operating, Donor Advised Funds
Corporations
Government Agencies
Hospitals with community grantmaking opportunities
Individuals

Type of funding needed/type of funding available (capital, program, operating, capacity building, etc.)
Fields of interest
Geographic limitations
Award size
Eligibility
Restrictions/limitations

Project development identifies specific funding needs
Prospect research identifies potential funders with aligned interests
Review funder information, giving history, application requirements and deadlines in light of your funding needs
Narrow down prospects to specific projects for which you can create proposals