RFP stands for Request For Proposals. Grant funders signal nonprofit service and cultural organizations that they have certain amounts of money designated to pay for programs that meet some specific criteria by publishing an RFP. In effect, an RFP is a public invitation to compete for funding. Knowing read the RFP is key to formatting a request to receive a grant so that it will rise to the top of the pack as a compelling request. It is essential to match the request in your proposal as closely as possible to the funder's core values and current focus. After you find a grant funder's RFP that seems to be right for your organization, here is process the information that is likely to be there.
Instructions
1. Locate a grant funder's RFP using a grants notice board, a listing in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, or on a database of foundations that give grants. (See the links below). Usually, you will find a short one or two sentence summary of what the funder wants to fund, a link to a longer document or to a website, and a deadline by which any request to be considered for funding must be submitted. Go to that longer document.
2. Find a list of the types of organizations that are eligible to apply. The RFP may indicate a limitation to organizations located in a certain state or region. It may have other requirements such as the kinds of client your organization serves, the size of your budget, or it may restrict funding certain types of organizations. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements listed on the RFP, do not spend any more time on this RFP, because your proposal is not even likely to be read, let alone considered favorably for funding.
3. Discover if the funder has an application form or a set of questions that must be addressed in the proposal. This will be listed clearly on the RFP. Make sure that your request for a grant specifically answers each question.
4. Reflect the language that the funder uses to describe their core values, mission, and motivations back by inserting the same phrases in your proposal. Find these key words on the RFP in the description of the purposes for the funding program and by searching the funder's website for the mission and vision statements.
5. Learn how much money will be available in each funded grant. Be sure to submit a carefully prepared, reasonable budget for the project or program you are submitting. Make certain not to ask for more money than the funder is offering. Your budget will be scrutinized by the funder's reviewers to make sure it is adequate, accurate, and appropriate for what you are proposing to accomplish.
6. Include any attachment that the funder lists on the RFP. Usually this will include a list of your organization's board members, the resumes of your key staff, letters of support or endorsement, and a copy of your 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS.
7. Check the RFP for any directions about the font, spacing and length that your request must be.
8. Follow the RFP's guidelines for submit your proposal. Generally, a funder will tell you if they accept online electronic submissions, if they provide an online submission form, or if they want paper copies mailed. If they ask for paper copies they will often say to send several copies- enough for each of the reviewers to have a copy without the additional expense of printing. Do not violate a funder's directions about submit a request to receive a grant. They will not even read submissions that arrive in ways they do not accept.
Tags: your proposal, your organization, core values, directions about, grant funder