Question

Name and describe what you believe to be the seven most significant mistakes that can be made in attempting to secure grants for your nonprofit organization. Explain, and be specific

Answer 1

1. Do not follow the instruction: Government receives numbers of proposal and they segregate them between amateurs and professional on the basis of who followed the instructions. For example if funder instruct to use paper clip instead of staple use them.

2. Fail to thoroughly research the funder's interest : Each funders has interest in providing grant for particular purpose. Thoroughly research the specific purpose as whether the purpose is child education , only supporting education is not enough, do they fund highly poor schools.

3. Making the proposal based on the need of your organization : Funder's goal achieved not by making payroll but by delivering the service to the people who need it. For example don't ask $1M to prevent stationary deficit , but ask $1M instead to educate 10000 children.

4. Submitting casual budget : The officer who will review your budget must have seen hundreds if not thousand of budget. hence he will know if the budget is reasonable for the project or not.

5. Submitting the proposal late : Easily avoidable mistake but have to take care while applying.

6. Not being specific about the amount of money : Be explicit on the amount of money you are seeking because funder's are not mind readers.

7. Using jargon and complicated language for writing proposal : Do not use jargon and complicated phrase, language should be simple and clear so that funder know your organization well.