You’re a non-profit organization new to the world of grant funding. You’re also new to the means of writing grant proposals. How do you acquire those all-important funds? Which ones are the best fit for your group? Should you hire a professional to prepare those documents for you? Before we get to the meat, perhaps we should start with the potatoes… and ask an even more critical question…
What is a Grant, and How Is That Money Distributed?
Grants are financial donations issued to charitable organizations and non-profit groups or individuals. This money benefits – a cause, purpose, program, or goal. Usually, the awarding group is a government agency, body, corporation, or industrial enterprise. They issue these grants to three main bodies;
- Individuals
- Youth
- Community representatives
Those non-profit bodies’ – missions and goals – can target any of the following;
- Societal or individual benefit.
- Environmental concerns and prosperity.
- Religious goals, including those of a; church, mosque, temple, or synagogue.
- Sports sponsorship.
- Municipal objectives such as parks and entertainment centers.
- Educational and literacy programs.
- The purchase of a good or service for community use, such as computers for a library.
With so many valid causes out there, there is never enough funding available to support ALL missions – regardless of their value or importance to their intended ‘end-user .’ If you understand this point… then you’ll appreciate the next one.
That’s Why It’s So Important – to Hire a Grant Writing Professional Service
With infinite outstretched hands seeking help and only a limited number of giving organizations with a finite ability to help, who do you think gets the money? You’re right if you said, “The charitable organization with the best proposal.”
How do you get the best proposal on the table and into the hands of the right fund-giver? You hire a professional grant writer. I understand… you’re detail-oriented and want the reasons spelled out for you, so here we go.
This Whole Thing is Complicated – That’s Why They’re Called Professionals
Large charitable associations have ‘in-house’ expertise and probably a full-time grant writer on staff. However, for smaller non-profit organizations, their means are not as robust. They might consider doing all the leg work on their own. They might think they’re saving money… but are they? There are consequences to weigh.
Have you considered the complexity of the job you’re about to undertake? Would you let an amateur audit your financial statements? Would you trust your disposable income in the hands of a friend; to invest your hard-earned bucks for you? Then why would you trust yourselves – to learn ALL the nuances of grant proposal writing – and risk failure?
Let’s consider some of the expertise this professional ‘grant writer’ has already acquired, shall we? And while we’re at it, why don’t we highlight the value they’ll bring to you and your group – by assuming all the responsibility of writing that grant proposal for you?
Experience…
A professional grant writing service has encountered your problems and faced your challenges many times before. They have seen and dealt with all imaginable obstacles to obtaining funding, and most importantly – they know how and where to achieve the best results for you. What do they know that you don’t? Let’s list them out for you…
- Tips and tricks of the trade.
No one will admit it to you, but there are always tips and tricks to any trade that are never obvious to the ‘layman.’ Ever watch a magician and wonder where that rabbit came from?
- Faster Results.
A professional grant writer has prepared and gone through the process countless times. They will save you time, money – and much anguish – by being prepared with a complete and detailed roadmap toward your success. You won’t be fumbling about looking for a form to fill out or an answer to a question – they already have it in hand. Ever tried to do something new for the first time in your life? For the professional grant writer – it’s a walk in the park.
- Remove Your Stress
Details…details… and then even more… details. How can you be aware of any detail missed? After all – it’s your first time writing up that grant proposal. Do you enjoy stressing out over that possibility? Reaching the finish line and finding out that you came up short because of a missed detail – would be a painful lesson to learn. The grant writing professional will make sure – you’ve dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ‘T.’
- Total Control and Freedom to Produce the Best Result
When your organization isn’t concentrating on producing the paperwork for grant funding, you can focus your attention on the more important matters of your mission – accomplishing your other goals. Do you have a fundraiser planned? Are you scheduled to send out flyers for an all-important event? Hiring a professional grant writer liberates your time and enables you to continue functioning with your day-to-day activities intact.
It also gives you time to measure and evaluate the results being delivered. Can you tweak your grant funding proposal in any way? Has someone come up with a fresh idea? The professional grant writer will adapt and change with any adjustments and improvements you come up with.
- Improve Your Chances of Securing the Funding
Add all the benefits and advantages of hiring a professional grant writing group, and you’ll see one significant result – an improved likelihood of success. And isn’t THAT the whole point? Whether it’s those tips, faster results, the reduction of stress from your staff, or the freedom and control you feel throughout the process, the end result is paramount. The chances of success rise exponentially when you hire a professional.
Conclusion…
There is no such thing – as an absolute when it comes to writing a grant funding proposal. There are no guarantees along this tricky path you’ve chosen. As you can see, many elements go into the process, and many advantages to using a professional service.
Here at MYGRANT, we understand your challenges and appreciate the decisions you’ll have to make. Writing that grant proposal is the most crucial step you’ll have to take.
Why not call us… and ask us to step in and answer your questions – at no obligation. We’ll ally your fears and set your membership at ease by detailing what you need to do and what’s required.
Regardless of your decision, our goal is to help you reach your goal – if not today… then perhaps tomorrow.