Contact UsGrants & Special Projects |
Grants AssistanceThe City of Minneapolis Office of Grants & Special Projects is not a grant-making agency. However, we are available to answer City of Minneapolis grant-related questions. Other ResourcesListed below are informational resources about seeking grants. The most recommended link in the list below is the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Specifically, the section on Grantseeking Resources. Overview of grant seeking process Overview of grant seeking processAs you seek funding remember that grants are only one possible source of funding. For example, a large percentage of donations are often made by individuals. According to the Minnesota Council on Foundations, “Individual charitable giving continued to comprise the highest portion of state giving, accounting for 78 percent of the total.” – Minnesota Council on Foundations, Giving in Minnesota, 2006 Edition. Return to Start of Section - Resources Planning the project and grant proposalThe Logic Model is a useful tool for project planning and for preparing to write a grant proposal. Use this method to identify what activities require funding, what resources are needed, and what will result from the funded activities. Evaluation is an important piece of any project. Evaluation tells funders about the grant’s effectiveness and informs you of what worked well and what can be done better. Planning the evaluation before the project starts will help ensure that the process is practical to carry out and informs your work.
Commonly requested attachments for grant applications include the IRS determination letter, financial reports, and other documents. For further information refer to the list of attachments on the MN Common Grant Form. Return to Start of Section - Resources Data sources – information to support your grant proposalWhen writing your needs statement in a grant proposal, it may be helpful to report data that describes who will be served and the issue to be addressed. Examples include population, age, ethnicity, and income. Below are links to sources of commonly used data. City of Minneapolis
State of Minnesota
Federal
Other
Return to Start of Section - Resources Researching grant-makersConsider a potential funder’s:
The Foundation Center offers a Prospect Worksheet to record your findings. Where to find information
Return to Start of Section - Resources Calling potential fundersIf the funder welcomes a phone call, prepare for a brief conversation in which you explain the project for which you are seeking funding, highlighting how the project matches the funder’s interests. Return to Start of Section - Resources Developing a grants calendarPlan a schedule so that application deadlines do not sneak up on you. Use a Resource Development Worksheet to determine potential resources for the project. Return to Start of Section - Resources Proposal writingSee the following sites for writing tips and examples.
Return to Start of Section - Resources BudgetThe budget is an important section of any grant proposal. Sometimes reviewers may read the budget first (before reading the narrative). Visit the MN Council on Foundations Writing a Successful Grant Proposal for information about budgets. For assistance with non-profit finances consider contacting MAP for Nonprofits. Return to Start of Section - Resources Site visitsAfter reviewing your proposal, a funder may want to visit your organization.
Return to Start of Section - Resources Follow UpIf approved – make sure to say thank you. Give the funder appropriate recognition. Complete all reports. Keep the funder updated. If declined – follow up to ask why and respond appropriately. Thank the funder for the consideration. Return to Start of Section - Resources Find further information on the Grants Foundations, Funding Opportunities and Resources by Category pages. |