Minnesota Common Grant Application Form

Minnesota Common Grant Application Form

Revised December 2000

Dear Nonprofit Colleague,

We are pleased to introduce an updated version of the Minnesota Common Grant Application form. Minnesota grantmakers developed this form to make the grantseeking process simpler and more efficient for nonprofits. For ease of use and to eliminate unnecessary duplication of work, you may reproduce any part of the form you find helpful including the COVER SHEET and BUDGET forms.

Keep in mind that every grantmaker has different guidelines and priorities, as well as different deadlines and timetables. Before submitting this application to a potential funder, it is very important that you check to see whether your project or program matches their published interests. Any funder that has agreed to accept this form may request additional information as needed.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL GRANTSEEKING

1. Do your research to determine whether the foundations’ and corporations’ goals and objectives for grantmaking are consistent with your type of grant request.

2. After you do the research, find out the preferred method of contact for the grantmaker, and contact the grantmaker to secure their specific grantmaking guidelines. Many grantmakers generally like to have initial contact with you before receiving a written proposal.

3. Include a cover letter with each proposal that introduces your organization and your proposal, and makes a strategic link between your proposal and the funder's mission and grantmaking interests.

4. Type and single-space all proposals.

5. Answer all the questions in the order listed.

6. Submit the number of copies each grantmaker requests according to their guidelines.

7. Do not include any materials other than those specifically requested at this time.

RESOURCES

• Call, write or check the Website of each grantmaker to obtain a copy of their funding guidelines (for a list of Minnesota grantmaker sites, visit MCF’s Web site at www.mcf.org; select “Links of Interest”).

• Use MCF’s Guide to Minnesota Grantmakers and other directories listing foundations’ interests and processes.

• Visit a Foundation Center Collection Library in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Fargo, Duluth, Rochester or Marshall-SW State.

For a list of grantmakers that accept the Minnesota Common Grant Application Form, or to download the Form, visit MCF’s Web site at: www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/applicat.htm

Grant Application Cover Sheet

You may reproduce this form on your computer

Organization Information

Name of organization / Legal name, if different

Address / City, State, Zip / Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Phone / Fax / Web site

Name of top paid staff / Title / Phone / E-mail

Name of contact person regarding this application / Title / Phone / E-mail

Is your organization an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit?

If no, is your organization a public agency/unit of government?

If no, check with funder for details on using fiscal agents, and list name and address of fiscal agent:

Fiscal agent’s EIN number:

Proposal Information

Please give a 2-3 sentence summary of request:

Funds are being requested for (check one)

Other (list):

Budget

Authorization

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Please use the following outline as a guide to your proposal narrative. Most grantmakers prefer up to five pages, excluding attachments, but be sure to ask each individual funder if they have page limitations or any additional requirements. Also, include a cover letter with your application that introduces your organization and proposal and makes the link between your proposal and the mission of the grantmaker to whom you are applying. For assistance with terms, refer to MCF’s Web site (www.mcf.org; select “Grantseeking in Minnesota”).

I. ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

A. Brief summary of organization history, including the date your organization was established.

B. Brief summary of organization mission and goals.

C. Brief description of organization’s current programs or activities, including any service statistics and strengths or accomplishments.

D. Your organization’s relationship with other organizations working with similar missions.

E. Number of board members, full-time paid staff, part-time paid staff and volunteers.

F. Additional organization information required by each individual funder.

II. PURPOSE OF GRANT

General operating proposals: Complete Section A below and move to Part III - Evaluation.

All other proposal types: Complete Section B below and move to Part III - Evaluation.

A. General Operating Proposals

1. The opportunity, challenges, issues or need currently facing your organization.

2. Overall goal(s) of the organization for the funding period.

B. All Other Proposal Types

1. Situation

2. Activities

III. EVALUATION

A. Please describe your criteria for success.

B. How will you measure these changes?

C. Who will be involved in evaluating this work?

D. What will you do with your evaluation results?

ATTACHMENTS

Generally the following attachments are required:

1. Finances.

2. List of board members and their affiliations.

3. Brief description of key staff.

4. Copy of current IRS determination letter.

5. If applying to a corporate funder only: employee involvement.

PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

ORGANIZATION BUDGET

This format is optional and can serve as a guide to budgeting. If you already prepare an organization budget that contains this information, please feel free to submit it in its original form. Feel free to attach a budget narrative explaining your numbers if necessary.

INCOME

Support

Revenue

EXPENSES

PROJECT BUDGET

This format is optional and can serve as a guide to budgeting. If you already prepare project budgets that contain this information, please feel free to submit them in their original forms. Feel free to attach a budget narrative explaining your numbers if necessary.

INCOME

Support

Revenue

EXPENSES

Salaries and wages (breakdown by individual position and indicate full- or part-time.)