Keri Silk, MS, DTM
Stories create connection. Perhaps the most important thing an agency can do is to get their clients stories out to the world at large. People are moved to give because they feel connected. Connections through emotion are the strongest. Consider the television advertising with small needy children staring through hungry eyes. Or, the ads that show a homeless person smiling over a steaming plate of Thanksgiving dinner and others.
Your stories are just as powerful. Use words and whenever possible pictures. Tell the needs, tell your successes and always offer a way that your audience can help. This is just as important in grant writing as it is in any other form of donation request.
When you tell a story or use a picture be sure to obtain a release of information from the client. If not available, you can consider changing names and other information so that the client is not recognizable. You may wish to consult an attorney on this.
When writing a grant I always try to include a story. It helps the giver identify and connect. With more funders moving towards shorter applications you will need to weigh every word. Leave out the pontificating and keep the story.
I have recently been part of a conversation, between Development Directors, concerning prospecting. Prospecting is looking for individual philanthropists that might like to send your organization funds. Sounds rather simple, but the complexity and the scope was greater than I imagined.
My work has been dedicated to grants. I research the different funders and share this information with my clients in a grant search report. Grants are given by foundations, corporations or government agencies. This is different from prospecting for individuals.
The individual donor, generally does not have an application process. How do you find these rich or giving individuals? What is the best way to be sure that they are a match? Is there a good or a bad way to approach? These are a few of the questions I have been collecting answers too.
The conversation has been extremely interesting and I will pass this information on to you over the next few weeks. Be sure to keep tuned in, either through an RSS feed or follow me on twitter!! http://twitter.com/kerisilk
You are invited to a Free Tele-class. Where’s the Money??
Facilitated by Keri Silk you will learn what kinds of government money is really available. You will learn where to look for grants and other sources of free money. Keri will share her expertise and give you the tools you need to start mining the millions of available dollars in funding.
10:00 am CT on June 2, 2009
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PHONE NUMBER
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1 (218) 339-2626
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ACCESS CODE
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340742
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For the hand out please send an email with handout on the subject line. You can also send your questions ahead of time.
Looking forward to learning more about you,
Keri
Please forward to friends!
Keri K. Silk, MS, DTM
Author, Coach, Grant Writer
866-279-8666 voicemail/fax
630-529-3181 office
www.fundingsuccess.us
Where does one start when looking for a grant? What should you look for? Why would you want to pay for the service of a grant search? The questions are often asked by those just starting to look for money through grants. If you are a novice to grant searching, understand that the search is just the beginning. In a search you look for possible grants that your organization or you as an individual can apply for.
The search can begin in many ways. You can subscribe to RSS feeds, newsletters or databases that will alert you to new opportunities. I receive hundreds of alerts each day.
You may want to use the search engines offered by the your state or the individual departments at the federal, state or local levels. There are several organizations dedicated to grant searching such as the Grantsmanship Foundation, the Donor’s Forum, Charity Channel and the Foundation Center. You can navigate around these and look for possible matches for your needs.
Match is the primary word. You want to be sure that your need and organization match what the funder wants to fund. You must carefully read the requests for proposals (RFP) or application rules. In my class Navigating the Grant Writing Maze I tell people to go to the eligibility section first. You can quickly see if your are eligible for the money. If not move on.
Paying for a grant search can save yo time and money in the long run. Be sure that the person doing the search knows enough about your needs to make appropriate matches. Understand that some projects are easily funded while others may be a stretch. Always check that the person or company doing the search does not have any hidden fees.