Researching for all types of private foundation grants is a time-consuming process. Depending on the organization's needs and priorities, the research process can take many hours and weeks.

‍ Our first deliverable offers potential opportunities with due dates, suitable request amounts, and details on other grantees. Then, we provide a more detailed summary to highlight the funder's focus areas and how your organization may align. Finally, we give a recommendation based on your goals and objectives for the next 12-36 months, along with guidance on preparing proposals for a prioritized funder.

As a Certified Grant Professional and Nonprofit Consultant, I often see that many nonprofits struggle to find time to develop donor relationships while researching and writing grants. However, becoming grant-ready is the next step for starting a grant program that will add to the revenue stream. Having your Strategic Plan or a Theory of Change model is necessary for beginning the grant writing process. All financials must be shared with the consultant for grant proposals, as well as a list of required documents, which must be provided and shared for easy access. With municipalities, it is always a question of time, knowing the preparation required, and the development of the proposal. For nonprofits that desire to be "grant ready", we begin by researching their eligibility, successful programs, and solid donor base for larger foundation grants, which often require the use of outside grant services.

SFG will conduct the research through our various search databases. We will conduct a grant-readiness survey with you to determine which grant types you are most likely a good fit for before starting the research effort.

A complete grant package will include an LOI (if necessary), research, and the collection of your organization's key documents, narratives, key data, and research results. Often, a logic model is necessary or required. Click here for a sample of a logic model. A timeline of the grant milestones to ensure all required signatures, approvals, and conversations with the grantor are completed.

Even when your application is submitted, we will stay in touch for any follow-up or grantor questions. SFG wants to establish ongoing relationships with your organization to ensure you are achieving your results and ultimately your mission! Our success is YOUR success.

Okay, you have a great youth program that engages youth who are not excelling academically or in other activities, and it is making a difference in their lives. You know from parents, teachers, and students themselves that the youth are improving their attendance, increasing their grades, and demonstrating respect for their parents and fellow students. What a great story! But, without metrics and measurements, how do you demonstrate your success? Developing a program and measuring the correct metrics will enable credibility in the minds of potential donors. Measuring and evaluating your program will provide objective insight into what works and what does not, enabling the program to change or improve outcomes. Demonstrating to funders that you take the time to measure your program results and believe in your organization’s continuous improvement process is a MUST HAVE in the world of grant funding. So many organizations I have worked with do not think that their activities can be measured. Ask yourself: What results do I want to see in the community or the world as a result of my organization's efforts? Your results CAN and SHOULD BE measured