Sandra Wood Consulting

Services

 

GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT

We assess your organization for grant readiness and then compile a detailed plan of action for program and organizational development that will help your nonprofit become grant ready. We prepare you to respond to appropriate funding opportunities in a timely manner with competitive proposals, manage funding awards, and comply with funder requirements throughout the grant cycle.

 

EDITING/PROOFREADING

We provide grant and proposal review, editing, and critique to assist your staff in strengthening proposals and increase your chances for success. We proofread your grant proposals before you submit them and provide feedback, making sure your message is clear and that you’ve followed instructions provided by the grant maker.

 

PROSPECT RESEARCH

We utilize subscription-based databases containing over 20,000 potential foundation and corporate funding sources to conduct local, regional and national searches of corporate, family, private, and public foundations based on your organization’s mission and programs. We document our findings and recommend a process for approaching the identified funders.

 

GRANT/PROPOSAL WRITING/SPONSORSHIP REQUESTS

Grant proposals and applications are tailored to each funder. Working closely with your staff, we complete your grant application, proposal, or letter of inquiry, ensuring it is highly competitive and thorough. We research data and statistics to present a statement of need and establish the rationale for your programs. We research and describe what makes your organization and programs unique. Are there other agencies with similar programs? Are you partnering with agencies to leverage resources? Why is your approach unique? We develop a "master" grant template for the client's review. During the process of drafting and submitting online grant requests, we develop a grant language repository.

 

STRATEGIC PLANNING/ FUND DIVERSIFICATION

We assist organizations in diversifying their funding streams. We work with staff to outline and implement a fund development strategy that includes individual and major donors, special events, event sponsors, foundation grants and corporate funding. Foundations look more favorably upon nonprofits that can demonstrate a history of multiple, sustainable sources of revenue.

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE NEW CLIENTS

Before we take on a new grant writing client, we consider several factors including:

  • The nonprofit's age and reputation, its track record, and its history of success

  • The strength of the program/project needing grant funding, including feasibility and whether it meets a clear community need

  • The organization's annual budget and the diversity of current funding sources

  • The program/project budget and the sustainability plan

  • The ability of the nonprofit to manage the grant award and deliver stated outcomes

Grant makers are looking for these things, too. That's why your nonprofit needs to be "grant ready" before you apply for grants.

SUCCESS RATE

Can you guarantee success in procuring us grant funds?

 

No. A successful grant application requires not only a well-written proposal, but other factors not in my control such as an agency’s capability, solvency, program experience and staff qualifications.

 

The percentage of Grants Secured depends on several factors.

Funder Focus: How well the project fits the funder's interests.

Capacity: History of financial support and sustainability; documentation of numbers served, impact and measurable outcomes (target and baseline) of the nonprofit.

Relationships: Establishment of a relationship between client and Foundation Board or staff.

Competition: Number of requests received annually by the Foundation.

Funds and Timing: Foundation capacity, fiscal year, prior or long-term funding commitments.

The Proposal: Finally, a key element is the quality and persuasiveness of the proposal. However, even the most beautifully written proposal will fail if other factors are not in its favor.

Here is a sampling of funded projects.

Examples of Types of Grants Secured

  • Building Renovation

  • Capacity Building

  • Computer Equipment

  • General Operating Support

  • In-Kind Goods and Services

  • Matching Grants

  • Program Development

  • Scholarships

  • Staff Salaries

 

Other Types of Funding Secured

  • Event Sponsorships

  • Vendors for Events/Festivals

  • Silent Auction Items

Examples of Programs Funded

  • Arts Education/Art-in-Education

  • Arts: Visual and Performing

  • Collaborative Projects

  • Historical Exhibits/Projects

  • Homeless and Low-Income Families

  • Literacy

  • Minority Populations/Immigrants

  • Physical and Mental Disabilities

  • Social Services and Case Management

  • Substance Abuse

  • Violence Against Women

  • Women’s Leadership Development

  • Workforce Development

  • Youth Development and Mentoring