How do I get a grant to start a non profit charity for kid's?

Question

I have an idea to get children interested in reading. I would love to start out with elementary children and children in hospitals and orphanages. With this idea I would need a grant instead of a business loan. I do not want to go through a company or website that I will have to pay for grant information or help. Are there any websites that will help me out for free? A site that will give me direct info or talk to a customer service rep?

Answer 1

Your best bet is to seek for private grants or grants from private foundations.

The best resource for this is Foundation Center http://www.fdncenter.org . They have a very good database covering all organizations giving grants and you can find foundations that are interested in supporting your type of cause. However, it's a subscription based website ($19.95 per month I think is the cheapest subscription price). But it certainly is worth the fee. You can subscribe one month, and make sure you get all the info you need and then stop the subscription.

If you want to try federal sources, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants.

CFDA has several ways to search for grants. I suggest you search by beneficiary and select Private Non Profit Organization and you can find listings of grants available http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

I have found a website that compiles various resources on starting a non profit. I especially like the Minnesota Council of NonProfits because the site gives information on governance, developing strategic alliances, fund raising and other ingredients of successfully running a non profit.

http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/znpbib.htm

Non profits are just like any business - you need to get the word out in order to get the needed funding to help support your activities. Here are some tips to help you market your non profit:

1. Determine your your target audiences: who are the groups and audiences that your non profit wants to reach. Remember that one target group may respond differently to a marketing message as another group so make sure that each strategy is tailor made for each audience.

2. Develop a communications strategy, creating timelines for marketing efforts such as newsletters, press releases, special events, and others.

3. Develop a visual image. Prepare your logo and other branding tools - and use them consistently across various mediums. Make sure that you repeat your branding messages, slogans in everything you make from brochures to newsletters.

4. Employ multiple communications tactics: Nonprofit organizations often target several audiences, which may respond to different approaches. Various communications campaigns can help establish and maintain a more widespread positive image.

5. Select and use appropriate media: Plan to use a combination of approaches best suited to reaching your targeted audiences and that make best use of your financial resources. Include a variety of methods including phone calls, letters, e-mail, newsletters, PSAs, press releases, and editorials.

For detailed information on how to start a non profit, I suggest you read the following books:

- Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization -- by Joan M. Hummel
- Starting and Running a Non-Profit Made Easy by Entrepreneur Press, David H. Bangs
- Starting & Building A Nonprofit: A Practical Guide by Peri Pakroo

Answer 2

It's not that easy, unfortunately. No such thing as a free lunch. Even if you were to find such a website, doubtful that it would really help you learn what you need to learn to be successful. The nonprofit grant funding market has been shrinking in recent years and is extremely competitive... there are always dozens of applications for every grant dollar. Just like in sports or business, you have to do your homework so you can compete to win.

You're going to need two things: 1.) a complete, professional caliber business plan for your program; and 2.) grant-writing skills. The first you can do with the help of free classes, materials, and SCORE volunteers through any SBA office. For the second, there are low-cost grant-writing classes available through community organizations and other nonprofits in every community, that will help you understand a grant-reading audience and hone your grant-writing skills with lots of practice and critique from the experts. It will take an investment of some time, but like everything else you will get out of it what you put into it.

Just ask yourself... do you want to throw this away and waste a lot of time applying for one frustrating rejection after another? Or do you want to do it right, and get the money?

Answer 3

I could begin a rescue/safe haven. It could frequently manage puppies and cats however could be open to certain animals to. I do not feel it could be an animal sanctuary, it could intention in the direction of animals demands, coming to a safe haven or rescue must be a higher lifestyles, if the animals are stored and positioned into cages what well will it do. The safe haven could have a no kill coverage and palms on routine for the elder and kids. I could allow the rescue/safe haven be a completely happy dwelling for animals, probably later I could upload an field for older puppies to stick considering in their low possibilities of fitting followed. I could do all this considering I feel each and every animal merits a higher lifestyles and moment hazard, by means of making a loving, being concerned atmosphere you're developing a brand new lifestyles.

Answer 4

Remember the ? mark guy you seen on TV go the book store and just wright down the tel#'s and address to all the local gov programs offering aid in your area. You can find websites etc but you will end up paying some company to file for you. I'm sure you can find what you need if you read through the book.

PS: I used the book ...

Answer 5

try typing in grants, both federal and state, then find the one that fits your need. Also you should find out how to properly submit a grant; which is either on line or in your local library

Answer 6

go to this website:
www.fdncenter.org

better yet, if you live in a city where they have a branch, go there in person.

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