Holly Korda Introduces Fundraising Module
Laurie Gilman tells us about the
Maine Council on Aging CHEF Grant opportunity
Katie Howard describes the many funding opportunities offered by the Maine Community Foundation
Ruta Kadonoff shares the grant programs offered by the Maine Health Access Foundation
Hannah Olshansky
explains the funding available through Rotary
Gavin Robinson provides hints and tips to apply for funds from Bangor Savings Bank
Introduction
Do you need funding to complete some of your lifelong community goals? Grants may be part of the answer. Holly Korda led us in a discussion of how to build relationships with organizations interested in funding your work. She was joined by a panel of funders who told us about the kinds of projects that are the best fit for their organization and gave us the inside scoop on what they commonly see in successful applications (and the mistakes to avoid).
Panelists included:
Laura Gilman, CHEF Grant Coordinator, Maine Council on Aging
Katie Howard, Community Partner, Maine Community Foundation. Click here to see a list of their available grants.
Ruta Kadonoff, Vice President for Programs, Maine Health Access Foundation
Hannah Olshansky, Rotary Club of South Portland - Cape Elizabeth. Click here to learn more about their micro-grant application.
Gavin Robinson, Vice President, Community Relations Manager, Bangor Savings Foundation
Hints and tips for developing a grant application:
Funding isn't only for 501c3 organizations. You can partner with a fiduciary organization that is a 501c3 to develop the application. During the call, we heard that Age-Friendly Biddeford has partnered with Biddeford Heart and Soul as their fiduciary. Now the committee can apply for grants that are only open to 501c3 organizations. Other communities, such as Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec work with their municipality as the fiduciary.
Reach out to the funders for guidance and to make sure that your project is a good fit for their funding opportunity
Take the time to learn a bit about the funding priorities of the grant program. There should be a close match between your project and their focus. When writing your proposal, connect the dots for the funder. Link your proposal to the funder's mission and areas of focus.
Make the answers to the application as simple and straightforward as possible.
We heard that funders read a lot of applications. You don't have to fill up all the space allowed if your answers can be more succinct.
Read the questions carefully and answer what is being asked.
Last of all, don't think of grant writing as the only way to get funds for your projects. There are other approaches (think old-fashioned fund raising, such as bake sales). If grants are what you need to move to the next level, don't be afraid to write your first (or 101st) grant. The funders want to spend their money and look forward to working with you!