Foundations Make Grants, Not Wishes: Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

Have you ever scratched your head or grabbed the back of your neck wondering about the request amount for a foundation or corporate grant application? Guess what? You are not alone on this island of fund seekers, especially those who are new to the grant writing world. First, you should know foundations and corporations do not fund grant requests for the entire organizational or programmatic budget of a nonprofit organization. The golden rule is to make your grant request ten to fifteen percent (10-15%) of your budget.

For example, if you applied for a $75,000 general operating grant, then your organizational budget should be at least $750,000. It is a mistake to request the entire budget because foundations or corporations do not prefer to be the only source of funding for a nonprofit organization. Keep the golden rule in mind when you are seeking and applying for grants to fulfill your nonprofit organization’s mission. If you have questions not covered by the FAQs section of a foundation or corporation, contact the grantmaker and ask for help. As the fund seeker, it is your responsibility to ensure your organizational or programmatic budget is fully funded.