Glossary of Basic Grant Writing Terms:

• 501(c)3: IRS Tax Exempt Non-Profit Status; new organizations need to apply for status from the IRS
• Budget Justification/Narrative: how you arrived at the figures you used, what will the money pay for (how many hours per week of staff time, etc.)
• Cash or In-Kind Match: Other funds for your project  
• Cash Match is any cash that you have on-hand to use for the project (watch for restrictions on use of Federal dollars)  
• In-Kind Match is any product, service, volunteer time that will be used for the project that is given to the organization (i.e., free use of space, a free computer
• Letter of Intent/Concept Paper: a short, preliminary introduction to your project; helps funders narrow down which organizations they want to write a full proposal
• Memorandum of Understanding/Memorandum of Agreement: a signed agreement with another organization to collaborate on a project        
• Notice of Funding Availablity (NOFA): Federal notice that funding has been approved for a specific topic
• Organizational Chart: chart showing the structure of your organization, who supervises whom, etc.
• Request for Proposal (RFP): a document issued by a funder for a very specific project, with a strict deadline; usually a one-time opportunity

Top 10 Tips for Grant Writing:

1. When seeking funding for a program start from your own strategic plan- what activities will move you forward and what will they cost? Do not change or create programs solely for funding purposes.
2. Do your homework, make sure you have identified, described and documented the need for which you are seeking funding (include statistics when possible). Make sure to put this problem statement near the beginning of the proposal.
3. Do your homework some more...have an understanding of the funder's mission, funding priorities and geographical preferences. Based on your program needs and each funder's interests, match your program with a prospective funder. Also understand the typical grant size given by the funder.
4. Understand the application process; get a copy of their guidelines and deadlines for submission. Funders vary with their timelines and even how they want to be contacted. This sounds simple but if they have a specific instruction - follow them to the letter.
5. Pay close attention to the appearance of the proposal. Make sure your font is no smaller than 12 point. Use boldlunderlined headings for new sections. Your margins should not be less than one inch on all sides. Toss in a chart, graph or sidebar story once in a while. In other words, try to make the document user friendly. The reviewer can't help but have an "Oh No" reaction to a proposal with dense type and narrow margins.
6. Generally, most proposals start with a one-page summary or project abstract page - this should tightly summarize your case for support and proposal.
7. Typically a longer project narrative, goals and objectives of the project, evaluation, budget and budget justification page, follows the summary page. The entire proposal should be about five (and no more than IO) pages.
8. Include a one-page cover letter outlining your agency, the proposal and the amount of funding requested.
9. If your proposal is not accepted, send a thank you note or make a call thanking the funder for the time spent reviewing your proposal. As for any shortcomings of the application, so that you might revise when applying in the future.
10. If your project is funded, follow up with a thank you, a 6-month and l2-month letter telling the funder how the money is being spent.