Submit grant proposals for charity walks

Non profits across the country send out grant proposals everyday seeking funding for their program services.  They compete with thousands of other organizations for the scarce grant dollars that are available. Development offices are always looking for tools to make their proposals stand far and above their competition.

Sadly, there are no special tricks. There are no magic attachments that you can submit with your proposal that will magically reward your organization with those coveted grant dollars.

The sad reality is that a perfectly written application can go unfunded. There are, however, several things you can do that will help your grant proposal and, ultimately, your organization noticed. Noticed and funded.

Appearance

Follow the rules. Most of the time the funding source tells you exactly what they want. Read the application instructions. If they say double spaced, single sided with one inch margins and no more than 10 pages; do not submit a 25 single spaced two sided document thinking they will like what you have to say so much that they will overlook your transgression. When it comes to grants you have only one opportunity to make a good first impression, it is imperative that you proofread and edit using a high quality grammar checker and the help of another set of eyes.

They won’t.

No matter how perfect your program is: if the funder doesn’t read your application it wont be funded.

Content

Once again, read the instructions. The funder will tell you what they want to know. If you are applying for state or federal funding, you will refer to the Request For Proposals (RFP).  The RFP will tell you everything they want to know. The RFP will tell you what format they want it in.  Use the RFP as a checklist to provide them with exactly what want.

The person who reads your budget and budget justification will not have access to the program narrative that was attached. Therefore, you, as the proposal writer, need to make sure that each section tells your story. Looking at a page of numbers and no context will not reveal very much about your organization. Let each section be part of a whole piece. Use the budget narrative to fully explain what the funds will be used for thereby giving the reader a full idea of what he or she did not see in the program narrative.

Quality

The non profit should be operating in a climate of measurement. It is not enough just to do something; you have to be able to prove you do something. More importantly, you have to prove what it means. Organizations that concentrate on performance objectives and outcome measurements will find the responses to funders questions easier to answer.

Your application responses should answer the questions the funder asks. You want to use this opportunity to share your story. You want your application to strike a chord in the reader. People give to people. It is that simple.

Extras

Do not add flourishes where none are asked for. Does your organization have a video presentation that you use at local civic events? Do not send it with your application unless it is specifically requested. Many smaller foundations have very few staff and do not have the time to review the material. Don’t count on that video to tell your story because, sadly, it won’t be seen.

Don’t use fancy bindings for your applications. 99% of the time the funder will tell you exactly how they are to be bound because 99% of the time the applications are separated and various people read various parts.

It takes practice. Not every application will be funded. And not every funder will tell you why it was not funded. When you can, ask for the critique and use it. Compare what they were looking for with what you provided and that will also give you a good road map to use with other applications. There are grant dollars out there and your job as the proposal writer will be to make sure that your application is the best it can be.

If you are tasked with fundraising and grant creation explore the features provided by Grammarly and bookmark English Grammar Rules.

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

How To Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out

Technorati Tags: charity walks, Fundraising, grammar checker, grant proposal, grant proposals

Before I announce the winner, I thought you might be interested in how I determined the raffle winner. I could have made up a ticket for each donor and drew one from a hat or box. However, I decided to use technology to ensure a fair contest.

1. I created a numbered list of the donors (two for those who donated before April 20) in the order the donations were made.
2. I then used the True Random Number Generator at http://www.random.org to generate a random number for the list I created.
3. The resulting number was matched to the donor list to identify the winner.

Who is the raffle winner? It is…

Corey Pudhorodsky

Congratulations Corey! I hope you enjoy the tote on your next trip.

Thanks,

Photo credit: Kevin Abbott

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

And the Winner Is…

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis walk, Donations, Donors, Fundraising, kings dominion, Raffle

This year is no exception. I have submitted online content in several ways demonstrating the importance of the Arthritis Foundation and giving an opportunity to support the organization. However, when I sent personal messages over the past week to some of my friends, they responded!

Who are some of these generous people supporting my personal fundraising efforts for the Arthritis Walk at Kings Dominion?

• Darren Barnes – Photographer, Dwood Photography
• Scott Couchenour – Life Coach, Serving Strong
• Annie Magnant – Executive Director, Science Museum of Virginia Foundation
• David Perdew – Founder, Niche Affiliate Marketing System
• Marc Pitman – Fundraising Coach, The Fundraising Coach
• Traci Pryor – Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities
• Corey Pudhorodsky – DoGooder, Corey on Twitter

I am a fortunate and blessed person to have the friends I have. I am extremely grateful for their support and friendship. Check out what each one is doing on the links I provided above. If you have an opportunity to meet or learn from any of them, don’t hesitate to do it. Your life will be better for it.

If you want to join me in supporting the Arthritis Foundation in their fight against arthritis, learn how at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/1545/free-links-and-chance-to-win-for-the-next-two-weeks.

Thanks,

Photo credit: Mattox

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Personal Fundraising Is All About Relationships

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, arthritis walk, charity walk, Fundraising, kings dominion, niche affiliate marketing, science museum of virginia

Did you then go back to the original email or website and send a notice to the author that there was a problem? Probably not.

Earlier this week I submitted a post at the Everyday Giving Blog that was originally posted on this blog. This post encouraged readers to donate at my personal fundraising page and promote my fundraising effort in support of the Arthritis Walk at Kings Dominion.

Several days have passed and I was contacted today letting me know that clicking on the links in the blog post gave errors. She was right. I made a mistake when copying the post over to the new blog. It is now fixed, but not before paying a price to relearn an important lesson.

My error can be a warning to you. When you write copy for your charity walk, be sure to check it before it goes out. This applies to both online and offline communication.

I don’t know how many donations for the Arthritis Foundation didn’t happen because I failed to check the links in my blog post. Hopefully they will be back to donate soon.

Thanks,

Photo credit: pop catalin

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

Mistakes Can Be Costly

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, Blog, Charity, Donations, Fundraising Effort, kings dominion

I need your help.

My goal for this charity walk is to personally raise $1,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. That will not be easy in two weeks and will require your help and the help of others.

There are two ways I am asking you to help:

1. Donate $10 or more to my fundraising campaign at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/arthritiswalk. This will help me raise the funds needed to meet my $1,000 goal over the next two weeks to support the fight against arthritis.

I will enter your name into a raffle for a Briggs & Riley Double Expandable Tote ($159 retail). If you donate before Wednesday, I will enter your name twice. You can read about the raffle at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/1548/on-your-mark-get-set-raffle/.

2. Encourage your network to donate to and promote my fundraising campaign too. I really want to meet my goal and it will happen if the word gets spread to enough generous people.

To express my gratitude, I will link to your website on two of my blogs. You can read about the free linking and find content to use at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/2011-arthritis-walk-fundraising/.

Thanks in advance for your help. Together we can bring comfort to the 50 million adults and children who suffer from arthritis.

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

Free Links and Chance to Win for the Next Two Weeks

Technorati Tags: amusement park, Arthritis, arthritis foundation, arthritis walk, Briggs Riley, charity walk, Fundraising, Fundraising Campaign, kings dominion, Kings Dominion Amusement Park, Raffle, Roger Carr

I have supported the Arthritis Foundation for several years in their mission to help those with arthritis. One of the ways I am doing this is to raise funds for the Arthritis Walk at Kings Dominion that takes place on April 30th. I want you to support me in this walk.

I realize you may not be as passionate about the arthritis cause, but it shouldn’t be ignored by anyone. It has an impact on all of us, either directly or indirectly. Because of this, I have created a small incentive in hopes of encouraging you to make a donation and helping me reach my $1,000 goal. Are you ready for a raffle?

Wouldn’t you like to own a brand new Briggs & Riley Double Expandable Tote? It will be sent for free (US & Canada only) to the raffle prize winner. It retails for $159 US, comes with a guarantee for life, and is loaded with great features. This is all you have to do to enter the raffle:

Go to http://www.charitywalksblog.com/arthritiswalk and make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation ($10 minimum).

That is all there is to it! On April 30th the winning name will be drawn from all those who donated at my fundraising page.

Bonus: Anyone who donates by this Wednesday, April 20th will automatically be entered twice into the raffle. Donate early and increase your chances to win.

Once you have made your donation, please encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. You will feel great knowing you are helping 50 million adults and children who have been diagnosed with arthritis in the US.

Thanks,

p.s. Remember, submit your donation now at http://www.CharityWalksBlog.com/arthritiswalk/

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

On Your Mark, Get Set, Raffle!

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, arthritis walk, Briggs Riley, Charity, Fundraising, kings dominion, Prize Winner, Raffle Prize

Items of value are needed for a charity raffle. I am searching for a couple of quality items to use for my efforts. I have found one already.

Would you like a preview of the first item?

Briggs & Riley is a premier luggage company. I just purchased one of their totes/briefcases to raffle off. When my wife saw it, she was convinced I would keep it for myself and never let it go. It is extremely tempting.

The model number of the Briggs & Riley double expandable tote is 231X-4. It is guaranteed for life. The suggested retail price is $159.

Check out the video tour below that I created of the actual item being raffled.

Thanks,

p.s. To submit your donation now, go to http://www.CharityWalksBlog.com/arthritiswalk/

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

Want a Charity Raffle Item Preview?

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, arthritis walk, Briggs Riley, charity fundraising, Charity Raffle, kings dominion

This biomaterial being developed at Duke University can be formed into shapes that duplicate the surface of a joint. This shaped material then acts as a scaffold to grow cartilage and bone. This can then be used to replace the damaged surface of the joint, without having to replace the entire joint.

This may sound like science fiction, but these Duke University researches, with the help of the Arthritis Foundation, are turning science fiction into science fact.

I look forward to following how this arthritis research advances. This is also one of the many reasons I am excited to be supporting the Arthritis Foundation. You can too.

Please support my efforts to help the Arthritis Foundation fight arthritis. Go to my Richmond Arthritis Walk fundraising webpage at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/arthritiswalk and make a contribution.

Thanks,

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

High Tech Knitting to Eliminate Need of Artificial Joints for Arthritis Sufferers

Technorati Tags: arthritis foundation, arthritis research, artificial joints, duke university, joint replacements

There have been several new drugs developed that have the potential to significantly reduce joint pain and inflammation. But there is a flaw.

When injected at the joint, the body quickly clears it away. This results in reduced effectiveness and the need for frequent injections.

What if there was a way to make these injections time-released? Duke University, with the help of Arthritis foundation funding, is developing a way to do just that.

Researchers at Duke are developing a biologically-based gel that can:

• Be injected at the joint as a liquid
• Form into a gel at the targeted location
• Provide long-term delivery of the medication
• Exit the body in a safe manner

I recently toured the research facility at Duke University and discussed the on-going arthritis-related work with several of the researchers. I was able to see a demonstration of the gel I discuss in this post.

If you know someone who is seriously affected by osteoarthritis, you understand how life changing this research can be. This is one of the many reasons I support the Arthritis Foundation.

Please support my efforts to help the Arthritis Foundation fight arthritis. Go to my Richmond Arthritis Walk fundraising page at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/arthritiswalk and make a contribution.

Thanks,

Post from: Charity Walks Blog

This is No Ordinary Gel for Arthritis Relief

Technorati Tags: arthritis foundation, arthritis relief, duke university, fight arthritis, joint pain, osteoarthritis

The Arthritis Foundation provides funding for a number of arthritis-related research projects.

I had the privilege of seeing several of those on-going projects that are happening at Duke University. I was able to meet many of the researchers behind these important projects and ask questions about their work.

I am excited about what I experienced. It was obvious that the researchers enjoyed what they were doing and were also excited about the possibilities the research could bring to millions of people in the future.

I wrote a little about what I learned on two of the projects at:

• This is No Ordinary Gel for Arthritis Relief
• High Tech Knitting to Eliminate Need of Artificial Joints for Arthritis Sufferers

Most of us either suffer from arthritis or know someone who is. This is because 50 million people have already been diagnosed with it in the U.S. (1 in 5 people). My hope is that this sampling of research the Arthritis Foundation supports will excite you to the point you will see the benefit of supporting the organization.

Please support my efforts to help the Arthritis Foundation fight arthritis. Go to my Richmond Arthritis Walk fundraising page at http://www.charitywalksblog.com/arthritiswalk and make a contribution.

Thanks,

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Arthritis Research at Duke University

Technorati Tags: Arthritis, arthritis foundation, arthritis research, duke university, fight arthritis, Richmond