1. Six Steps
to Successful
Grant Seeking
Presented MYSA
Winter Symposium
Saturday February 7, 2009
Presented by Timothy Puffer, Puffer &
Associates
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
2. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
3. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Case
Step 2
Statement
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
4. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Case
Step 2
Statement
Prospect
Step 3:
Research
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
5. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Case
Step 2
Statement
Prospect
Step 3:
Research
Qualify &
Step 4:
Cultivate
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
6. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Case
Step 2
Statement
Prospect
Step 3:
Research
Qualify &
Step 4:
Cultivate
Grant
Step 5:
Application
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
7. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Step 1:
Readiness
Case
Step 2
Statement
Prospect
Step 3:
Research
Qualify &
Step 4:
Cultivate
Grant
Step 5:
Application
Follow-
Step 6: Through
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
8. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 1: Readiness
Critical
IRS TAX EXEMPT STATUS--Federal 501(c)(3) (or fiscal agent)
STATE TAX EXEMPT STATUS--Current state certification
FORM 990--Most recent year's tax form
MOST RECENT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT--Previous year's report from
the Accountant/Bookkeeper (or non-audited)
ORGANIZATIONAL BUDGET--Projected revenues and expenses for current year
PROGRAM OR PROJECT BUDGETS--Specifically for what is being requested
LIST OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS--Names, Professions, Affiliations, and
Current Terms.
QUALIFICATIONS OF KEY STAFF—Executive director, department
heads, program directors, project coordinators, etc.)
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
9. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 1: Readiness (continued)
Important
STRATEGIC PLAN--Or marketing or business plan
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART--Showing major divisions of responsibility
and reporting relationships
LETTERS OF SUPPORT--Community Leaders, Funders, etc.
PROGRAM EVALUATION STATISTICS ON PERSONS SERVED--Who,
What, When, Where and How
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION and BY-LAWS--Original
Documentation
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
10. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 2: Case Statement
“Here’s the problem/situation . . .”
“Here’s why you should care. . .”
“Here’s what we’re doing/intend to do about it . . .”
“Here’s how much it costs . . .”
“Here are the outcomes/how things will be better
because of our efforts . . .”
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
11. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 3: Prospect Research
Resources
◦ Internet
◦ Competitive analysis
◦ Foundation Directories
Foundation Center, Cooperating Collections
◦ Searchable Foundation Databases
Minnesota Council on Foundations, Foundation
Center
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
12. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 4: Qualify and cultivate
Qualify
◦ Prospect’s Website
◦ Internet search engines
◦ Guidestar.org
◦ Form 990
Cultivate
◦ Phone calls
◦ Emails
◦ Letters of inquiry
◦ Meeting
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
13. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 5: Applications
◦ Common types
Prospect-specific applications
Minnesota Common Grant Application
Online submission forms
Governmental applications
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
14. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 5: Applications (continued)
◦ Basic Content:
Cover letter
Cover sheet/form
Narrative—Including EVALUATION
Financials
Organization budget, project budget, audit/financial
statements, Form 990
Attachments
IRS letter of determinations, board list, key staff
qualifications, other funders
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
15. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Step 6: Follow-through
◦ Decision timeline
◦ Site visits
◦ Award decision
◦ Acknowledgment
◦ Stewardship
◦ Reporting
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
16. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Case Study
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
29. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Helpful grant writing links and
resources
◦ Minnesota Council on Foundations
http://www.mcf.org
◦ Foundation Center
http://foundationcenter.org
◦ GuideStar
http://www.guidestar.org
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
30. Six Steps to Successful Grant Seeking
Case Prospect Qualify & Grant Follow
Readiness
statement Research Cultivate Application through
Q&A
Copyright 2009 Puffer & Associates
