Follow-up and Documentation

What happens if your organization actually receives a grant and then must use the funds in the manner in which you've stated in the grant proposal? Well, whatever you do, make sure that you keep track of the funds by documenting the rationale, responsibilities, cost projections, etc. So often, individuals receive a grant award only to find out that they don't remember how they determined costs, personnel, expenses, etc., and then are held accountable for the proposal without knowing how the money was spent and whether that money was spent in ways which correspond with the original grant language.

You must accurately report how you used the funds provided to the funder. Compare what you do to what's actually in the proposal on an on-going basis and try to maintain a relationship to the letter and intent of that document. It will make things a lot easier come reporting time and you'll avoid having to try to fit a square peg in a round hole and save you from a lot of stress when it comes time to report to those who have helped you pay the bills.

Metrics

If your organization wants money for program support, bricks and mortar, capital campaigns, equipment, etc., etc., you will need to define your goals in ways in which they can be measured. As laudable as your objectives might be, you need to be able to clearly demonstrate the results of your efforts in dollars and cents, numbers helped, buildings built, equipment bought, etc.

I am the owner/grant writing consultant for GrantWorks, your source for fund raising. GrantWorks currently offers a number of services including grant writing and development, as well as prospect research, cultivation and solicitation. All of my work features superior writing skills and is guaranteed to be thoroughly and thoughtfully researched. In the future, GrantWorks will offer other services including grant mentorship, help in establishing non-profits and the facilitation of strategic partnerships between the non-profit and for profit sectors for their mutual benefit.

Please contact me to discuss your projects and/or for any advice on fund seeking. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can.