What You Can Do to Improve Your Chances of Receiving Funds from an Organization

Step 1 - Do Your Research

• Write down ideas for what you can accomplish by attending the World Forum on Early Care and Education and why an aid organization or corporation would pay for you to go. Include how others aside from yourself benefit from your participation. Set clear goals.
• Read World Forum information and note the planned activities and resources that support your goals.
• Organizations have concerns about specific problems and money to fund projects that will solve those problems. Select potential funders by determining whether the funder's goals are consistent with the goals you have associated with attending the World Forum. Ask yourself what specific goals you share and if there is a good chance that they will be interested in funding your proposal. Think about organizations that you know of that have supported projects that help children (Save the Children, UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services).
• Each step of the way, remember you are developing a partnership with the funder. You must first convince them that you share the same goals. The funder has the finances and you have the insights, the contacts, the ability and a good plan of action. They will want to know exactly what you will do to help them achieve their goals.

Step 2 - Ask the Funder These Questions

• Do you have funds available for projects which focus on improving the quality of early care and education?
• Who should I speak with regarding the guidelines for submitting such a proposal?
• Are there any specific guidelines for how the proposal should be written or what should be included?
• Are there any deadlines for when proposals should be turned in?
• Do you have any advice that might help me in writing a proposal to your organization?

You may also...

• Develop a compelling 30-second verbal description of your proposal (like a TV advertisement) that will grab someone's attention. Convince them that they want to hear more about this idea.
• Call, write or check the web site of each grantmaker to obtain a copy of their funding guidelines.

Step 3 - Write Your Proposal

• Include a cover letter with each proposal that introduces your organization and your proposal, and makes a strategic link between your proposal and the funder's mission and grantmaking interests. You want to show that you share a common goal and that through your project, you can help them achieve their goals.
• Type and single-space all proposals.
• Answer all the questions in the order listed.
• Do not propose anything unless you definitely plan on doing it.
• Have someone who has excellent grammar skills review and edit your writing. Double check your numbers and make sure everything is accurate.

Step 4 - Submit Your Proposal

• Submit the number of copies each grantmaker requests according to their guidelines.
• Do not include any materials other than those specifically requested at this time.
• Ask when you should expect to hear and if it is appropriate for you to contact them for an update on the status of your proposal.

Step 5 - If You Receive the Grant...

Remember you are building a relationship and potentially may want to receive funding from this source again. It is important to follow the funder's guidelines and policies exactly and at a minimum…

• Write a thank you note.
• Keep careful financial records. Get a receipt for every expense and keep all receipts organized. Keep a log of every expense, noting date, expense description and amount.
• Turn in a progress report at the end of your project so that the funder knows what was achieved as a result of the grant.