Grant Writing Workshop for Cortes Island Social Profit Groups

On February 12th at the Mansons Fire Hall, Sandra Wood and Kate Maddigan hosted a grant writing workshop for social profit organisations on Cortes Island.  Kate and Sandra have considerable experience in grant writing; they offered guidelines, tips, and advice for those seeking funding. 

The event was organized by Andrea Fisher, of the Cortes Island Community Foundation, and sponsored by the Social Profit Forum, and attended by representatives from the Art Gallery, DCC, BetterAtHome/SOS, Cortes Currents, CIFA, CICF, FOCI, CCEDA, CHS, and SCCA.

Image credit: What words shall I use??? – Illustration by marycat879 via Flickr (CC BY 2.0 DEED)

Here are a few examples of advice shared at this workshop by the seasoned grant writers:

Nuts and Bolts of Grant Writing

Anyone can succeed in writing a good grant proposal. You will need some creative or technical writing ability, a bit of business sense, and “heart” (passion) for your project. If you’re lacking in one of these areas, get help from friends/neighbours who can fill in the gaps.

This is dry work that’s hard to focus on. Find a quiet place, and go easy on yourself. Always have someone else read your work. Language (exact wording) is very important, so be mindful of technical details.

If you can partner with another organisation, this is always attractive to potential funders. If you plan to get a letter of support, make contact early with the letter writer, as it may take some time. You’ll need to provide financial statements for your organisation, which also take time to prepare — so give your Treasurer plenty of notice.

Granting agencies are always more kindly disposed towards projects that attract matching or supplemental funds from other sources. If you have received partial funding from one grant, you can cite this in your application to another agency and ask for the balance of funds needed to make your project succeed. Matching funds from local donors also make your proposal more attractive.

Make your proposed budget as realistic as you can. Include a line item for project administration (traditionally 10-15% of the total amount) and make sure you have some contingency funding for unexpected setbacks, inflation, etc.

Where to Look for Funding

There are basically two sources of grant funding: governments and foundations. Government grants are usually more technical and formal; foundation grants can be harder to find and may need a creative “pitch” for a project that aligns with the foundation’s values.

SRD has an annual Grant-in-Aid programme providing anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 for local projects. Any non-profit or charity on Cortes can apply for a Grant-in-Aid for a project that benefits the community.

Community Gaming Grants application processis demanding, with strict guidelines that must be followed exactly. But they are a good source of program-oriented funding. You can get feedback before you submit your application, by phoning a program coordinator.

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) publishes a list of available grants every two months, which is worth checking and subscribing to their mailing list.  Some of these UBCM grants are also managed by the SRD, which may require their letter of support and/or their board resolution.

What if Your Proposal is Rejected?

Always contact the granting agency and ask for feedback if your proposal is unsuccessful. And be persistent; improve your application and try again, incorporating their feedback.

Sandra Wood says that the most common reason for an application being rejected is that the granting agency didn’t have enough money. The next most common reason is that the applicant didn’t make a strong enough case, backed by real data, that the project serves a real community need. Granting agencies may also reject project proposals that include no methodology for measuring success.

What if Your Proposal is Funded?

Once you have accepted the funding, it comes with obligations to report on your progress and expenditures. Reporting requirements will be part of the application guidelines. You will also have to account properly for GST according to the granting agency’s policy. Failing to do your bookkeeping and paperwork properly will ensure you will never be funded by that organisation again, so continuing to comply with grant requirements is essential.

Many granting agencies offering funding for capital projects will want documentation of your progress. If you are repairing or remodelling or improving some physical facility, be sure to take both Before and After Pictures to include with your reports.

Top image credit: Looking over the paperwork – Photo by Camilo Rueda López via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED)


Andrea Fisher from the Cortes Island Foundation has generously shared her notes with Cortes Currents:

Main Points of Presentation and Discussion

Grant Searching Resources and Tips