d to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a part

When grant-seeking organizations conduct a diligent search to find funds for their programs, hundreds of possibilities are likely to arise. If using a resource like the Foundation Center database, there will be detailed information about foundations’ and corporate funders’ priorities, past grant awardees, application criteria, and funding limitations.

Pay close attention to this information. Searching for the appropriate funding source for your programs and projects is a skill right up there with effective writing, when it comes to winning grant money.

Why is the search so important?

Many fledgling nonprofits envision multimillionaires waiting to dole out thousands and millions of dollars to every worthy 501(c)(3) organization. They assume a well-written grant proposal will speak for itself and for their needs. How many of us have received email assuring us of the thousands of government dollars available to practically anyone willing to make a small investment?

There’s way more to that story. I’ve learned three very important facts about grant seeking—and believe me, they are facts:

* Any money that’s available is slated to make a difference in specific areas.

* Every funding source stipulates its funding priorities and criteria for grant making.

* Writing a grant that isn’t a match for those priorities is a waste of your time.

Your organization’s challenge is to conduct a search so wide and deep that you finally hit on a funding opportunity that seems like it was issued just for you. The mission, projected outcomes, and focus areas should all seem tailor made for your program. Once you believe you’re on the right track, take additional precautions by remembering the following:

* Note the range of funding available to applicants. For foundations, check how much money was awarded to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a parti

nd projects is a skill right up there with effective writing, when it comes to winning grant money.

Why is the search so important?

Many fledgling nonprofits envision multimillionaires waiting to dole out thousands and millions of dollars to every worthy 501(c)(3) organization. They assume a well-written grant proposal will speak for itself and for their needs. How many of us have received email assuring us of the thousands of government dollars available to practically anyone willing to make a small investment?

There’s way more to that story. I’ve learned three very important facts about grant seeking—and believe me, they are facts:

* Any money that’s available is slated to make a difference in specific areas.

* Every funding source stipulates its funding priorities and criteria for grant making.

* Writing a grant that isn’t a match for those priorities is a waste of your time.

Your organization’s challenge is to conduct a search so wide and deep that you finally hit on a funding opportunity that seems like it was issued just for you. The mission, projected outcomes, and focus areas should all seem tailor made for your program. Once you believe you’re on the right track, take additional precautions by remembering the following:

* Note the range of funding available to applicants. For foundations, check how much money was awarded to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a part

able to practically anyone willing to make a small investment?

There’s way more to that story. I’ve learned three very important facts about grant seeking—and believe me, they are facts:

* Any money that’s available is slated to make a difference in specific areas.

* Every funding source stipulates its funding priorities and criteria for grant making.

* Writing a grant that isn’t a match for those priorities is a waste of your time.

Your organization’s challenge is to conduct a search so wide and deep that you finally hit on a funding opportunity that seems like it was issued just for you. The mission, projected outcomes, and focus areas should all seem tailor made for your program. Once you believe you’re on the right track, take additional precautions by remembering the following:

* Note the range of funding available to applicants. For foundations, check how much money was awarded to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a part

>Your organization’s challenge is to conduct a search so wide and deep that you finally hit on a funding opportunity that seems like it was issued just for you. The mission, projected outcomes, and focus areas should all seem tailor made for your program. Once you believe you’re on the right track, take additional precautions by remembering the following:

* Note the range of funding available to applicants. For foundations, check how much money was awarded to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a part

d to what kinds of organizations. If ABC Foundation gave $275,000 to a well-known agency with national impact, don’t expect the same amount for your community-based tutorial program that serves 40 children.

* Stay within the funding range established. If the awards are from $250,000 to $650,000, don’t write a proposal for $75,500 believing your program is a bargain. Funders know the scope of services and kinds of outcomes that can be expected with a particular level of support. If they intend to make a major impact, they’re looking for larger projects. There are reasons for setting such parameters.

* Take the instructions seriously. If funds are targeted for women’s health, don’t stretch it and write for children’s medical issues. One might assume that a funder that cares about women will, no doubt, care just as much about children. But, in grant writing, making assumptions is a liberty one can’t afford to take.

The bottom line is, your program and organization is designed according to your mission and vision. Funding agencies’ philanthropy is aligned with their mission and vision, as well. Since time is a valuable commodity—for you and for the funders, take the time to conduct a thorough search so a majority of your grant writing efforts pay off.