by Lorraine Hogan

Regional Advisor

Regional Services Branch

Ministry of Citizenship and

Immigration, Culture and

Health Promotion

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What is the purpose of the funding program? In many instances funding programs are used by organizations as a way of accomplishing certain goals or outcomes in a community or sector.

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Is it linked to a government or community strategy? If so, read the policy or strategy and reference it in the application form.

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Look at the types of projects previously funded and the amounts.

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Do they have certain priority areas?

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How are the applications assessed? This is very important as it will provide you with clues as to the type of information to put in the application and how to position your project.

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What is the approval process and timing for announcements? May be a significant issue if your project is time-sensitive.

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Remember that guidelines are written to be generic you need to find out what are the key points or priorities for your area.

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Remember that guidelines are only one source of information. You may want to look at the mandate of the funding agency to determine what their priorities are e.g. review the most recent annual report of the community foundation.

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Do a preliminary check e.g. are we eligible to apply, is our project consistent with the goals and objectives of the grant program orfunder, does our community need this project, do we have the

resources to successfully manage it.

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Think of the funder as a resource. Some funders will offer technical assistance.

What is the problem we are addressing?

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Remember – the problem is not your need – it’s the community’s need. What are the gaps and how are they being addressed?

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Gaps are the reason that you have a need. What evidence is available to support/document need?

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Support your need/project with local information and data PLEASE. How are we proposing to address the problem?

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Paint a clear and specific picture of your problem. Can the potential funder see it in action in their mind? Depending on the type of project submit photographs. How will things be different when the project is completed? What will have changed? Will the problem be solved or reduced?

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Be as specific as possible about your anticipated outcomes – how will we know that you are succeeding and how will it be measured.

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So what?

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Funders are looking to ensure that their dollars are being strategically invested in projects that make good business sense and will have an impact.

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What is the significance of the project?

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What impact will it have?

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Does it represent good value for the investment?

Eligibility criteria.

How well has the applicant made its case for funding?

Organizational capacity to manage the project and deliver

results/outcomes.

Project impact and does it meet the goals of the funding program.

How well the project has been planned. Is the project description linked to the anticipated outcomes and budget.

If approved:

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What are the funding requirements e.g. funding contract, interim and final reports

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Adhere to the funding requirements and timelines.

Grant writers can be helpful when:

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you don’t have in-house expertise

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no one has dedicated time

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need specific information/area of expertise

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Make sure the grant writer knows your organization,

clients and the funding program.

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Reference checks

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Developing staff or volunteers.

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Chasing the money.

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Requesting money to offset a deficit.

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Shopping at the wrong store.

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Failing to understand that it’s a competitive process.

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Submitting the wrong application form or an outdated one.

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Not reading the grant application early enough – Don’t delay.

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Assuming the funder knows your agency or sector/community.

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Disregarding the funders’ questions.

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Not agreeing with the direction/philosophy of the program.

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Using a reference or citing a partner without prior consent.