Search for Grants: Strategies & Tips for Finding Grants for Your Cause
Seeking Grants? Securing funding for any cause can be a daunting task. Using proven search tips & strategies yields big results when locating grants for your organization. Do not waste valuable time and resources when searching for grants. GrantWatch is here to help you learn the tips and tricks for your organization’s success.
FIRST, Are You Indeed Grant-Ready?
The first step is to discover whether you’re applying as a nonprofit, a business, or as an individual. Assess your grant readiness Assessment take a moment to discover what type of grants you are eligible for. After all, there is no reason to apply for a grant you are not eligible for. With attention to detail, decide the type of grants you are seeking to you ensure your eligibility. For example, if you are a nonprofit, many grants require a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity status. Register with the IRS as a nonprofit and ask for a letter of support or fiscal sponsorship from supporters before you apply for grants. Read through each grant’s requirements before you decide to proceed. Your grant application will be automatically rejected if you are not eligible.
IF SO, Search For Relevant Grants
1. Search For Grant Opportunities
Search for grants by recipient type, location, category interests, funding source type, and deadline date using the SMART Advanced Search tool. To further refine your search use Boolean operators. For example, using AND, OR, and NOT. GrantWatch allows you to Save My Grant Search Filters allowing you to save previous grant and foundation results. Furthermore, the Hide Grants feature streamlines your grant searching process. Click the eye icon found in the grant preview listing, allowing you to hide irrelevant grants.
2. Build A Sustainable Grant Pipeline
Above all, having a pipeline of grants to apply for is the best way to secure funding for your organization. New grant funding opportunities are created daily. Dedicate time to search for and apply to grants daily or weekly. To build a personalized grant watchlist, use the My Grant Alerts feature to create alerts for grants of interest. Then, keep track of your Grant View History using My Grant Views. Use this feature to view the GrantWatch ID#, deadline date, and the date you viewed each grant. Finally, personalize your My Grant Calendar to plan out your future grant applications and organize upcoming deadlines.
THEN, Research The Funder To Align Your Cause
Your program must align with the funder’s guidelines. However, do not change your mission to fit a grant. Instead, use GrantWatch’s 990 Finder & Foundation Search to audit and search grant funders. Read a funder’s mission to understand their values. You can search grant creators by location, mission statement, funding interests, types of support provided to uncover trends. Empower your organization with access to foundation and grant-related information by making informed decisions, forging impactful partnerships, and securing resources for your cause. The new Save Foundations and Recipient Search Feature allows you to save your filters for all parameters and revisit them anytime.
FINALLY, Learn How To Write A Grant & Apply
Anyone can apply for a grant. In truth, grant applications are simply a series of questions to be answered in your own words. Using basic reading and writing skills paired with a genuine passion for your cause, you can win a grant. GrantWatch provides direct links to request for proposals (RFPs). Click on the link on the grant detail page. If you put in the time you can Learn How to Apply for a Grant in no time. While most applications do require additional items that you may need help with, like a budget, real people are reading your application. Your passion must spill onto the page. Use your grant application to connect with these individuals.
Need More Help? Hire A Professional Grant Writer
Now that you know how to apply for a grant, one question remains. Do you hire a grant writer to search for and apply for grants or do you apply for a grant on your own? Consider your writer as an extension of your organization. They will coach you throughout the entire process and curate the project to fit your needs. If you would like to hire a professional grant writer, visit GrantWriterTeam.com and post a classified ad. By all means, be sure to vet your candidates. Subsequently, hire the individual who has the qualifications you desire. A good grant writer has industry knowledge, creativity, strong writing skills, and a proven track record.
About GrantWatch
With close to 8,000 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ plan to view the full details of current grants, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of the top 20 GrantWatch features, click here.