As you research grant opportunities you’ll notice on many corporate foundations’ guidelines that they don’t fund “religious organizations”. If your faith based organization has a 501c3 and you meet their other eligibility criteria, you can apply for funding as long as your “religious organization” serves the community at large and not only your congregation or constituency.

Keep it simple. It doesn’t need to involve a team of attorneys. If you partner on a grant, develop a MOU to spell out who is responsible for what and how much funding partners will receive (a percentage is best) once the fiscal agent receives the money. Percentages are preferred because you may apply for $50,000 but the foundation only allocates $35,000 in grant funds.

Foundations prefer to fund organizations that partner with other nonprofits, businesses, schools, faith based agencies, and/or civic groups. Develop those partnerships and plan grants together. The nonprofit partner that has the most credibility in terms of longevity and financial accountability can serve as the grant’s fiscal agent. You are always stronger together than individually. All you need is a MOU to implement the grant.

Typically, it takes between 90 – 180 days from the time you submit a grant proposal to receive a response. And, no foundation wants to fund an organization with a deficit. If your organization needs quick cash flow, do a fundraiser. Or, invite me to come to your community to facilitate grant writing classes. Your 501c3 agency can keep all of the proceeds!