Things you need to watch –

• The 4 C’s

1.     Stay close to the priorities of the foundation

2.      Be complete – send the information that is requested.  Do not include excess materials.

3      Be concise (no more than 6 pages; use normal type size)

4      Collate your material.

• Be realistic in your request. (Don’t ask for $50,000 when the foundation normally makes grants of $5,000.)

• ABC's

A. Always read guidelines

B. Believe them

C. Carefully follow directions

Things we watch -

• Closeness to priorities of the foundation 

• Constituents served

• Relevance to community needs

• Innovativeness or unique characteristics of the program

• Is program well planned or constructed?

• Potential for creating positive change and how this will be measured

• Community involvement

• Qualifications and training of staff that deliver services, including volunteers

• Clear, realistic budget – with line items explained (e.g., number of people, full or part-time, covered in the program's personnel budget )

• Anticipated sources of income, both for agency and project

• Reasonableness of request in relation to giving pattern of the foundation and previous relationship, if any

• Report on the last grant, if applicable.