What are the biggest benefits of collaborating with organizations when applying for a federal grant? It can help an organization that does not have visibility and an extensive track record in the community. In addition, it shows the funder that the organization is leveraging resources and a better investment. Organizations should:
- Identify collaborating partners such as educational institutions, local school systems, nonprofits, and service providers to be involved in the project or program to be funded and include them in the grant proposal.
- Meet with potential collaborators to discuss proposal ideas. Do not assume that because you have had a previous relationship (or current relationship) with an organization or institution that it wants to be a partner or if it is appropriate.
- Determine the expectations of each party. How will you specifically collaborate?
- Have a system for monitoring the grant-application progress to ensure that each partner is accomplishing its goals?
- Create memorandum of agreement that outlines expectations and be sure to get it signed by representatives from each collaborating agency or institution.
Has collaboration benefited your organization’s ability to apply for a grant? Please share your story with us.
Ruth Peebles, President of The INS Group, offers 25 years of experience in the nonprofit management. The INS Group is a national consulting firm that provides organizational development and capacity building services to nonprofits, government agencies and faith-based institutions. Services include grant writing, grant research, strategic planning, strategic fund development planning, succession planning, executive coaching, and board training and board development. Ms. Peebles can be reached at [email protected].
For more ways to increase your organization’s fundraising capacity, register for our upcoming “How to Grow Your Individual Donor Base” webinar on March 25th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET.
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