Inspiring and informative presentation at CAGP's Jan. 15 meeting
Chris Brooks, director of community relations for East Cooper Meals on Wheels, gave an inspiring and invaluable presentation to 35 members and guests of the Charleston Association of Grant Professionals (CAGP) on Jan. 15 at the Charleston County Public Library. Chris drew on his extensive experience and offered advice about how to effectively reach out to local grantmakers and obtain not only startup and first-time grants, but also that essential recurring funding so important to the long-term missions of nonprofits.
He advised nonprofits to "tell people what you do and have a passion for your mission." Grantwriting takes a lot of work, and he is careful about who he chooses to go to for funding.
East Cooper Meals on Wheels was started in 1985 and now serves 300 meals a day and has expanded to offer not only a lunch but evening meals and nutritional assistance. Most of their budget comes from within the local community. Volunteers are essential to the mission, and they are the ones who make it happen, Chris said. There are currently 350 active volunteers.
Face-to-face contact is very important when researching and going to grantmakers for funding. He suggests getting people, such as nonprofit trustees, directors and other personnel, to see what you are doing in your nonprofit. Try to get to know foundation directors.
Chris referred to local nonprofit resources available through the Coastal Community Foundation and their Web site, Coastal Community Foundation. There is a link there to local grantmakers http://www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/grants.html.
He advises looking at Foundation 990 forms for detailed information including names of trustees and recommends doing a lot of legwork researching foundations. Another good approach is contacting local civic groups such as the Optimists, Rotary Club and The Exchange Club. Offer to give talks to civic groups and tell them about your nonprofit mission. Also, local banks often have community giving divisions and a person in charge of this. Think small at first in terms of funding requested just to get on board with a foundation or other grantmaker.
With national foundations you are competing in a big pond, Chris says, but try to find those that fit your mission. It's always worth a try. Often foundations want to see if your nonprofit is going to go "above and beyond" in what you are trying to accomplish.
In speaking about East Cooper Meals on Wheels, for instance, he noted that they are looking at a large umbrella of needs for seniors in their area. They look at the overall relationship of care for seniors in all the ways they need to live independently and how additional meals and nutritional assistance fit into this picture. Also, each volunteer makes daily contact with those receiving meals, and this is often a vital connection for an older person. This going "above and beyond" often will bring a larger commitment of money from a grantmaker.
Having local funding sources is so important because you can keep in touch with them more readily. It also allows for more effective networking. Try to get that recurring dollar.
Following the presentation, many in attendance had questions for Chris, which provided many additional insights.
He advised nonprofits to "tell people what you do and have a passion for your mission." Grantwriting takes a lot of work, and he is careful about who he chooses to go to for funding.
East Cooper Meals on Wheels was started in 1985 and now serves 300 meals a day and has expanded to offer not only a lunch but evening meals and nutritional assistance. Most of their budget comes from within the local community. Volunteers are essential to the mission, and they are the ones who make it happen, Chris said. There are currently 350 active volunteers.
Face-to-face contact is very important when researching and going to grantmakers for funding. He suggests getting people, such as nonprofit trustees, directors and other personnel, to see what you are doing in your nonprofit. Try to get to know foundation directors.
Chris referred to local nonprofit resources available through the Coastal Community Foundation and their Web site, Coastal Community Foundation. There is a link there to local grantmakers http://www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org/nonprofits/grants.html.
He advises looking at Foundation 990 forms for detailed information including names of trustees and recommends doing a lot of legwork researching foundations. Another good approach is contacting local civic groups such as the Optimists, Rotary Club and The Exchange Club. Offer to give talks to civic groups and tell them about your nonprofit mission. Also, local banks often have community giving divisions and a person in charge of this. Think small at first in terms of funding requested just to get on board with a foundation or other grantmaker.
With national foundations you are competing in a big pond, Chris says, but try to find those that fit your mission. It's always worth a try. Often foundations want to see if your nonprofit is going to go "above and beyond" in what you are trying to accomplish.
In speaking about East Cooper Meals on Wheels, for instance, he noted that they are looking at a large umbrella of needs for seniors in their area. They look at the overall relationship of care for seniors in all the ways they need to live independently and how additional meals and nutritional assistance fit into this picture. Also, each volunteer makes daily contact with those receiving meals, and this is often a vital connection for an older person. This going "above and beyond" often will bring a larger commitment of money from a grantmaker.
Having local funding sources is so important because you can keep in touch with them more readily. It also allows for more effective networking. Try to get that recurring dollar.
Following the presentation, many in attendance had questions for Chris, which provided many additional insights.
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