Week 1 - Preparation and Organization

You

-- Student self-evaluation to understand personal motivation and relationship to the grant seeking organization. There are differences in being a freelancer or being a part of an organization.

The Organization

-- Looking at the organizational structure, the financial situation of the organization and the specific needs that will be addressed in the grant proposal. It is vital to the success of your grant proposal that you understand the larger organizational picture as well as the details of the project requiring funding.

Week 2 - The Grant Proposal and Letter of Inquiry

The Grant Proposal and Letter of Inquiry

-- Depending on the size of the organization, division, department or project, preparing the grant proposal and letter of inquiry can be a daunting task! Cooperation and understanding are essential skills in successfully negotiating the steps from initial draft to final product, especially when customized versions are required.

The Packet

-- There is more to send to potential funders than just the grant proposal! Supporting documentation, pamphlets, brochures, requested information for customized applications, there is an art to deciding what is enough, but not too much, to send in your packet.

Week 3 - The Funders

Research

-- What you'll need to know for your research. Where to go for information on Funders. How to screen that information to create your list of potential Funders to contact. Why this research is the most important part of the entire grant approval process.

Contact

-- Information gathering telephone calls; Culling the list after receiving applications from Funders; Creating your tracking system; There is an art to contacting the Funders from the initial request for an application or more information until the mailing of the proposal packet.

Week 4 - Putting It All Together

Mailing

-- Organization and presentation are important in any company mailing, with grant proposals and letters of inquiry they are essential. From mail merging your tracking system information into your letters for personalization to dropping the envelopes into the mailbox, every step in a successful mailing project is covered.

Now What?

-- What to do once the envelopes are sent out and the waiting has begun.