How do you write a operating fund grant for a non-profit organization?
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OK.  Your non-profit has a purpose statement of some kind.  Now surf the internet looking for foundations interested in your goals.  Contact them for grant application procedures and follow them EXACTLY.  Try to use the same jargon the foundation uses in describing its purposes, to the extent they fit.  There are some key words that just have to get in there: the name of a specific disease if your job it to combat it or offer support services for it.  The name of your specific mentor or inspiration (e.g., Martin Luthor King for anything about minority rights or nonviolence).  And exactly what you want the money for:  rental on a storefront, salary for an executive secretary, food to donate to the poor, whatever.\n\nDon't take the first "no" for final, if you get one.  Generally, they will tell you (you may have to ask) why your application failed.  If so, try to rewrite your application and resubmit it, curing whatever defects you can, and justifying whatever you cannot change.  For example, they may say "We don't believe in store-fronts.  You must have an office in a respectible office building."  Then you would go into detail about the prevailing conditions in your community, how each type of location is perceived by the potetial beneficiaries of your program, etc.\n\nI've done it, although not since the 1970s.  Some things are clearly faster now, due to faster communications technology.  But the principal is the same:  you must convince the foundation that your organization's goals are consistent with theirs, and that you will be effecting in meeting the goals you describe.\n\nGood luck!
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A big but noble task, I hope you pull it off.\n\nFirst, incorporate.  File articles of incorporation as a nonprofit with your state's secretary of state.  Articles for this are commonly available at the SOS website, call them if you have questions.\n\nSecond, adopt bylaws.  Google "bylaws nonprofit [name of your state]" and see what forms you can find.\n\nThird, get a Federal Employer Identification Number for your company -- you can do this online at the first link below.\n\nFourth, go to second link below to download a Form 1023 and instructions for Form 1023.  You'll fill the Form 1023 out and file it with IRS.  You'll be filing as a 501(c)(3) public charity (as opposed to private foundation), assuming that most of your funds will come from the general public (as opposed to from a single source).  The Form 1023 is long (28 pages) and will take some time, but the good news is it will help you think through some of the important issues.  The last 2 pages are a checklist of all the filings you'll need to submit with the Form 1023.\n\nFifth, send the Form 1023 and any other necessary docs (see Form 1023 checklist) to IRS with the filing fee (either $150 or $500 depending on your expected revenues -- see Part XI of Form 1023).  Then wait -- it takes over 6 months for IRS to even respond to 1023's nowadays.  When they respond, they'll assign an agent who will likely write a letter telling you here are additional things we need, and we also have these questions.... provide what they ask for adn respond to questions in letter and mail it all back to the agent who wrote you; this process may repeat itself once or twice.\n\nOnce IRS issues a 'determination letter,' you are officially a 501(c)(3) and can give your donors a contribution (tax) deduction.  You can actually start raising funds before  you get the determination letter (it will take at least 6 months to get it and most likely, longer than that) if you tell your donors in writing that you have filed Form 1023 and expect to receive a determination letter eventually, but can't guarantee that IRS will grant you 501(c)(3) status.\n\nSixth, before you do any fundraising, call the secretary of state in each state in which you plan to solicit funds and ask them if you need to register your nonprofit prior to soliciting funds in that state.  Some require registration, some don't.\n\nSeventh, you need real estate.  You can either rent or buy, but either will require you to have some net worth in the nonprofit, hence the need for contributions.  Maybe a generous landowner will let you use a house for free, who knows.  Anyway, you will need several permits and licenses including a certificate of occupancy.... contact your city hall and tell them what you plan to do and ask what paperwork you need to fill out to get a certificate of occupancy (CO).\n\nThen contact the governmental unit (either county or city) that handles social services, or contact your county's juvenile court -- and tell them your plans and ask what permits or licenses you'll need.\n\nObviously, this is just a starter list but if you do the above it will at least help you get off the ground.  The paperwork, you can handle.  What you really need help with is money.  So once you get incorporated, you should start fundraising.\n\nYou'll also need real estate and business savvy -- so as you start soliciting funds, see if you can recruit knowledgeable people (not just friends, people who really know their stuff) to be on your Board of Directors.  For real estate folks you might consider just cold-calling a couple real estate companies (e.g., who list and fill commercial leases) and see if you can talk to someone young with an open mind, maybe they'll agree to serve on your board.  For either the real estate or business side, try to get a hold of a young lawyer at a mid- to large size firm, they're always eager to build their resumes.\n\nGood luck, I real
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your question betrays you - \n-it leads to another:  Are you qualified by education and experience to start such an organization?  \n-and another: Do you plan to run this organization?\n\nYou may have had a course on grant and proposal writing when you were in school - if not, return to your university: that may be a good starting place.
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Here are some ideas:\n\n1. Description of the agency\n2. Purpose and objectives\n3. Who is its target market/beneficiaries\n4. Why is this non profit agency important - cite specific examples of its effectiveness and include testimonials from those it has helped or from leading figures in the field\n5. Why you should support this organization\n6. How you can support the organization\n7. Contact information including website URL, address and contact email\n\nYou have to first let the brochure reader know what the agency is, and what it does. Then before you can ask them for money, you have to answer the question - "Why is it important that I contribute to this foundation? What will be its impact?" Then and only then can you start the pitch for financial request.
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Mission statement and goals then a non profit license then the registration of the NPO is a start. \nFound a site for more info below. Good Luck
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No one can give you an application for a business grant. The process is not as simple as giving you a PDF application form. Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - the centralized website where all federal grant applications are processed - require that you first be registered to submit grants. Registration entails the following steps:\n\n- Request a DUNS Number    \n- Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR)    \n- Authorize your Organization's Representatives    \n- Login as an E-Business Point of Contact (POC) \n\nThen and only then can you be allowed to submit grant applications.\n\nYou have to remember though that it is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business (unless you are going to start it in the poorest areas for example)\n\nNonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs
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The organization's web site should have a link for access to their annual report which would provide some financial information.\n\nIf the organization is in the US, according to the IRS you may verify an organization's tax-exempt status and eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions by asking to see an organization's IRS letter recognizing it as tax-exempt.  You may also confirm an organization's status by calling the IRS (toll-free) at 1-877-829-5500.  \n\nAlso from the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=139025,00.html You have the right to inspect, and obtain a copy of, a tax-exempt organization's:\n\n- annual information returns (e.g., Form 990);\n- exempt status application materials; and\n- notice of status under section 527(i) \n\nin person at the organization's principal office, or its regional or district offices, during regular business hours.  You may also request copies of such materials in writing.  The organization may charge a reasonable fee to cover copying and mailing costs.\n\nYou are entitled to inspect, or receive a copy of, any annual return for three years from the date the return was required to be filed (or, for an amended return, from the date it was filed).  For more information, see our frequently asked questions on returns disclosure, the final regulations published in IR Bulletin 1999-17, or Disclosure Requirements.\n\nFor exemption application materials, you are entitled to inspect, or receive a copy of, the organization's exemption application (Form 1023, 1024, or other document required to be filed), any papers filed in support of the application, and any determination letter issued by the IRS with respect to the application.  You may also obtain copies of determination letters from the IRS by filing Form 4506-A, Request for Public Inspection or Copy of Exempt or Political Organization IRS Form. A fee may be charged for copies.\n\nYou can search charitable organizations under the Better Business Bureau also at http://www.bbb.org\n\nGuidestar (as someone mentioned) is also very good.
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You can also request a copy of the document directly from the charity or nonprofit organization - they are required to disclose it.  Some may have it available on the web.
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Go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and Grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. But you'd be hard pressed to find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
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I have found a website that compiles various resources on starting a non profit. I especially like the Minnesota Council of NonProfits because the site gives information on governance, developing strategic alliances, fund raising and other ingredients of successfully running a non profit. \n\nhttp://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/znpbib.htm\n\nAs for funding your non profit, I suggest you check out Foundation Center to help you gain ideas on how to properly establish your organization and get support from private foundations. They have the most extensive database of private donors, and they publish a magazine that can be very helpful to your new non profit.\n\nhttp://fdncenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/establish/index.html\n\nI was previously involved in the setup of a non profit, and we were able to get a pro-bono lawyer who set up everything for us, including getting the 501c3 tax status. Contact other non profits in your area and check if there are lawyers willing to work for free to get you started. \n\nNon profits are just like any business - you need to get the word out in order to get the needed funding to help support your activities. Here are some tips to help you market your non profit:\n\n1. Determine your your target audiences: who are the groups and audiences that your non profit wants to reach. Remember that one target group may respond differently to a marketing message as another group so make sure that each strategy is tailor made for each audience.\n\n2. Develop a communications strategy, creating timelines for marketing efforts such as newsletters, press releases, special events, and others.\n\n3. Develop a visual image. Prepare your logo and other branding tools - and use them consistently across various mediums. Make sure that you repeat your branding messages, slogans in everything you make from brochures to newsletters.\n\n4. Employ multiple communications tactics: Nonprofit organizations often target several audiences, which may respond to different approaches. Various communications campaigns can help establish and maintain a more widespread positive image.\n\n5. Select and use appropriate media: Plan to use a combination of approaches best suited to reaching your targeted audiences and that make best use of your financial resources. Include a variety of methods including phone calls, letters, e-mail, newsletters, PSAs, press releases, and editorials.\n\nFor detailed information on how to start a non profit, I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization -- by Joan M. Hummel\n- Starting and Running a Non-Profit Made Easy by Entrepreneur Press, David H. Bangs\n- Starting & Building A Nonprofit: A Practical Guide by Peri Pakroo
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Hi,\n\nGreat post!  I had the same grant question a few months ago. It's really tricky to find out about this stuff on the net, but my wife bought me special special software (CD) for my birthday.  The program rocks for finding the grant info you want.  btw...this is  the software that was featured on CNBC and in USA  Today.\n\nThis company is giving away the software free (only $3.95 for shipping)!!!!!!!\nHere's the link\nhttp://www.alllsite.info/free-grant-money.php\n\nI'm sure you'll find the info there\nGood luck
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Your best bet is to seek for private grants or grants from private foundations.\n\nThe best resource for this is Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org . They have a very good database covering all organizations giving grants and you can find foundations that are interested in supporting your type of cause. However, it's a subscription based website ($19.95 per month I think is the cheapest subscription price). But it certainly is worth the fee. You can subscribe one month, and make sure you get all the info you need and then stop the subscription.\n\nIf you want to try federal sources, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. \n\nCFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show\n\n\n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
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You do not write an application letter to get a government grant. There is a process in place before you can apply for one. First, you go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nIt is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nBut if you still wish to apply for grants the first step is to register with Grants.gov and their registration process can be accessed from http://www.grants.gov\n\n1. Get a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number\n2. Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR)\n3. Authorize your Organization's Representatives\n4. Login as an E-Business Point of Contact (POC)\n\nYou will first be asked to find the grant number of the grant that you wish to apply for. You can get this from the http://www.cfda.gov \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
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This page contains GREAT links on how to start a non profit business\n\nhttp://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/znpbib.htm\n\nTo get you started on the road to fund raising, I suggest you check out Foundation Center. They have trainings on how to start a non profit and various databases containing information on funding institutions.\n\nhttp://fdncenter.org/\n\nFor detailed information on how to start a non profit, I suggest you read the following books:\n\n- Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization -- by Joan M. Hummel\n- Starting and Running a Non-Profit Made Easy by Entrepreneur Press, David H. Bangs\n- Starting & Building A Nonprofit: A Practical Guide by Peri Pakroo
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http://712educators.about.com/od/grantwriting/
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Here is a press release on Macy's Make it Happen Program http://www.macysnorthmedia.com/release.php?id=432 which provides grants only to non profits up to $15,000. \n\nThe application deadline is Nov 10 so contact your nearest Macy's store (if in the covered area of the grant) and request for an application form\n\nOr download the grant application form here http://www.macysnorthmedia.com/makeithappen.php
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I got several federal grants, but they are not personally but for the non profits that I worked with. My business got a grant but it was for a project where we gave various seminars (how to start a home business; online business; ebay business) to low-income minorities.\n\nNote that the government is NOT in the business of giving away free money for the sake of giving away money. Grants are free, but it means OBLIGATION. You will be obligated to do as the grant sets out to do. Grants have objectives, and your purpose must fit the objective of the grant.\n\nFor one, you have to write the grant application and the grant application is not a simple document - you have to explain how your purpose for applying for the grant fits well with the objectives set out by the grant.\n\nThere there is a stringent review process through a committee. You will compete with other applicants for the grant money, and this grant review committee will evaluate the merits of each proposal. Only those that they feel exemplifies the objective of the grant will be approved. The approval process depend on the grant; some can be approved within 2 months while others can take as long as 6 months or more.\n\nYou can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.\n\nNote though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants. \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs