Free Grant Applications

It should be noted, first and foremost, that all grant applications are free grant applications. Foundations exist to fund your project. Foundations actually want to give you their money.

Remember: Foundations want to give your project money if it promotes their cause.

All foundations will have grant application or proposal guidelines. In some cases the foundation may ask for specific requests such as a media presentation of your program or program brochures and in other cases the foundation may simply want the standard information from grant seekers:

• Copy of tax status from the Internal Revenue Service.
• Audited tax records from the previous year.
• Brief description of your organization, its mission and the goal of the project.
• Specific funding request which will include a line item budget for the project.
• A detailed description of how the money will be used.
• A description and bio of the key staff members running the project.

The above are standard requests on any grant application form and sometimes are simply stated in the directions for applying for the grant and no form will be given. Most organizations will prefer to receive a written proposal as opposed to a application form. With that said there are some exceptions.

Leave it to the federal government to have a complicated maze of free grant application forms. Fortunately, if you qualify for a government grant, you can apply using one of their grant application packages. Make sure that you read the application thoroughly and follow the directions exactly. Many organizations actually pay someone to write the grant for them and if you are a novice, this is not such a bad idea.

The Foundation Center put forth a common grant application form that is used by various grant makers. The common form may differ from region to region, however you can see a list of regions offering a common form at the Foundation Center website. Use the common form that's appropriate to your region.

The common form can actually simplify the process when you are looking for funding. Once you put it together, you can submit it to any foundation that accepts the common form thus streamlining your funding search. There really are no downfalls to using the common grant application form. However, you do need to do your homework and research the foundation to which you are applying for funds. Make sure that the foundation accepts the common form you have put together. Also check to make sure that they accept cold proposals. (Cold proposals are those that are simply submitted without invitation.) In addition, it's always a good idea to make sure that the foundation goals match your organization's mission. While foundations actually want to give their money away, they want to give it away to the organizations that are going to further their causes.

Anyone who is seeking funding for their organization or project should make sure that they know about The Foundation Center and its resources. The Foundation Center's headquarters are in New York City with field offices in Cleveland, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. If you can visit an office in one of those cities you will find:

• Information on hundreds of foundations. In addition, they have a searchable database.
• Workshops for grant writers and for those seeking money.
• Grant applications and guidelines.
• Helpful staff to answer any question you have.
• Records of past grants made by various foundations.

A trip is well worth the effort and time it takes if you are serious about getting your organization funding. If you can't make it in person, the Foundation Center Online still has a wealth of resources.

1. It's important to remember that any company or person who asks you to pay for a grant application is a scam. All grant applications are free grant applications because after all, foundations exist to give you money.
2. Make sure to read and follow the directions that the grant maker offers. Even if they accept the common form make sure and follow any special directions given.
3. It's helpful to put together a general file folder for grant applications. It should contain tax information, your organization's mission and vision statements and any statistics that would be helpful in demonstrating your organization's relevance to the community at large.
4. Read carefully about what the foundation is interested in funding. Make sure that your organization is a good match for their funding priorities.
5. If at first you don't succeed: try, try and try again. Don't be discouraged if you're turned down. Instead, look at it as a networking opportunity.

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