Finding a Grant

Dear friend,

Finding a grant can help you to accomplish many of the dreams that you have put in the backburner for decades. Although they say that "Dreams are free," I feel that sometimes, achieving your dreams costs money. This newsletter teaches you how to write persuasive grant proposals, where to look for funders, and what tips can maximize your chances of winning a grant.

I will be hosting a free grants seminar at Clovis Public Library, NM, on July 21st. I will also be doing a TV show on grantseeking with Len Houle, in Louisville, CO, on July 29th. If you woudl like more information about these, please write to me. These are free events.

Thank you for being a member. Please recommend our site.

Sincerely,

Preethi Burkholder
Gifted Hands Writing 

e-mail: info@giftedhandswriting.com

Grants for Individuals

Grants for individuals are awarded for various purposes. Here is a list of common causes:

• Higher education
• Publishing books
• Conducting research
• Emergency funding
• Starting a small business
• Humanitarian work in developing countries

Individuals must develop an idea that shows promise of helping others. A good idea is one which overlooks the "me" philosophy and proceeds to the "us" rule. For example, a grant request to host health clinics for AIDS victims in Africa presents a more compelling cause than seeking funds to see the ancient Buddhist temples in Cambodia.             

Emergency Grants

            Individuals qualify for emergency expenses that help with their day to day living expenses. Some of the categories for emergency living expenses include:

• Health insurance
• Hospital bills
• Loan and debt payments
• Disaster relief from events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and tsunami
• Monthly rent/mortgage
• Payment of medical bills
• Addiction recovery expenses (rehabilitation for alcoholic treatment; substance abuse treatment; psychotherapy, detoxification, sober living counseling)
• Food and clothing
• Physical therapy
• Child care, babysitting expenses
• Insurance

The Foundation Center and Other Funders

The Foundation Center http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102598232310&s=0&e=0015RSqh-z3IFhp95bXFAkL_MocpUBvkzq7UT1uU-_1KZ22d4Lz3mKRkVFW748n9oBKue2z2MOJUIifruiO40HqGA9VQeDrznpurs-4f6dcUNQ= -Established in 1956 The Foundation Center is dedicated to serving grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public. The Center's mission is to support and improve philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grant seekers succeed.

FirstGov http://www.firstgov.gov  - The U.S. Government Web site that provides easy, one-stop access to all federal government online information and services. Click on "Benefits and grants." You will find a listing of grants awarded in different fields. These are listed alphabetically.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy philanthropy.com -
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is a bi-weekly publication that informs readers about trends and issues in the nonprofit world; updates readers on grantmaking activities; and features profiles on key individuals, corporate foundations, and nonprofit organizations.  In addition to covering articles on laws, regulations, volunteerism, and fundraising, the publication updates readers on recent grants, conferences, seminars, events, and job openings. Subscribing to the Chronicle of Philanthropy keeps you in touch with the latest information on grant giving. Not only does it give information on grants but also provides classified advertisements of jobs in grant writing and fundraising. It updates readers on grantmaking activities and features profiles on key individuals, corporate foundations, and nonprofit organizations. 

Guidestar. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102598232310&s=0&e=0015RSqh-z3IFhp95bXFAkL_MocpUBvkzq7UT1uU-_1KZ22d4Lz3mKRkVFW748n9oBKPh4ED_C_TJ3lNLn0LQ2PCIRQgbv4LB2wuiCj9W9KXjE=
GuideStar provides information on the programs and finances of American charities and nonprofit organizations, grantmaking activities, up-to-date stories on philanthropy, and a forum for donors and volunteers. e-mail: customerservice@guidestar.org

Sample Writing of a Project Description

               Writing a compelling project description is key to a persuasive grant proposal. Here is a project description that was funded by a private foundation.

Living in a Box

Did you know that there are approximately 32 million people in the United States awaiting death row? That is right. 32 million alcoholics await execution through the lethal drug. Alcohol claims one out of 10 people in the U.S. and is the number one drug killer.

During the last thirty years there has been a general understanding in the United States that alcoholism is a progressive, family disease, and that it is treatable. This medical advancement has transformed lives of alcoholics and their families to step outside of their self-inflicted cells and to enjoy things in life besides alcohol. Unfortunately, the majority of alcoholics and their families live in denial and transmit dysfunctional elements caused by the disease to the next generation.

What's more, families living with alcoholics unconsciously become enablers, who assist their loved ones to continue drinking. Their codependencies have subconsciously shaped them to enable the drinking patterns and to cover up for the after effects of such behavior.

"Living in a box" will be a public art project that will be carried out at Madison Public Park next summer. It will give visual representation to the insanity caused by alcoholism and how it shrinks the world of alcoholics into cells over a period of time. The goal of the public art project is to inspire alcoholics and their families to take the first step towards recovery, and that is to stop living in denial about the disease."

Dear friends,

My father once said "There will be many pitfalls along your path to success. Avoid them as much as you can, and aim high." No one leads a life without falling to a few pitfalls and traps along the way. Only a handful however, rise above them and keep moving forward.

Don't let others determine your passions. If you have fallen, get up. 

The Chinese sage Confucius once said "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

I would love to meet some of you at one of my upcoming book promotions. Every member is fondly invited to attend - free of charge. Write to me for details at info@giftedhandswriting.com

Preethi Burkholder 

Gifted Hands Writing