Articles by CharityChannel Members
CharityChannel members who have years of experience in their field may apply to join a Contributor's Panel. Once accepted to a panel by the panel's editor, the member will work with the editor to determine article topics and to prepare an article that is ready for publication. With tens of thousands of colleagues in the CharityChannel professional community, this is a key opportunity to give back to your profession by sharing your hard-won expertise and wisdom.
[ View All Articles ]
______
Should You Do Competitive Funder Research? Absolutely! Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, April 17, 2013 (26 days ago)
In business, each company needs to know what its competitors are doing and therefore conducts “competitive research” when developing a business plan and on an ongoing basis. You can do the same thing when searching for funders.
______
Grants and Foundation Review gets Stimulus Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, May 20, 2009 (3 years 360 days ago)
About four years ago Larry Gallery, the founding editor of Grants and Foundation Review, called and said he was moving on and would I consider editing this review? I was astounded, honored and nervous — but said yes. And so began my journey into online journalism. They say if you want to learn something, teach it. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from really reading every article in this review, not just skimming when I had the time. We have a fabulous bank of writers with broad experience and I hope that you, the reader/audience, have gotten as much from this forum as I have.
______
This is Stimulating Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, April 01, 2009 (4 years 44 days ago)
[Editor's Note: This article was published initially on March 25, and re-published April 1 with a number of important changes.]
________________________________
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), otherwise known as the Stimulus Package, is setting the grants world on its ear. As a consultant, I’m getting calls from legitimate clients with a good idea of what they want, small nonprofits wanting me to find them grant opportunities and an up-tick in individuals and small businesses looking for “free government money you don’t have to pay back.”
I’ve been doing some research and while I’m not an expert I can give some hints....
______
The New 990 (and why it matters) Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, February 25, 2009 (4 years 79 days ago)
The IRS has dramatically revised the form 990 and its purpose, requiring many more nonprofits to file it and many more people to be involved in its preparation. Anyone working in nonprofits, including grantwriters, needs to be aware of these changes. Starting with the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002, the IRS has been getting increasingly involved in corporate governance. Even though this was triggered by Enron and other big business scandals, nonprofit corporations got rolled into the mix. The result is the new form 990.
______
No Grants & Foundation Review New Years Eve Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, December 31, 2008 (4 years 135 days ago)
Grants & Foundation Review will not be publishing December 31st (New Years Eve).
Happy Holidays!
______
No Grants & Foundation Review Christmas & New Years Eve Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, December 24, 2008 (4 years 142 days ago)
Grants & Foundation Review will not be publishing December 24 (Christmas Eve).
Happy Holidays!
______
Web Resources Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, September 24, 2008 (4 years 233 days ago)
Whether writing a needs statement, developing your proposal’s evaluation section, or looking for evidence-based practices, the World Wide Web has innumerable sources for the grant professional. Here are several that I’ve found helpful....
______
Evidence-Based and Best Practices, Benchmarks and Baselines - Part 2 of 2 Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, September 10, 2008 (4 years 247 days ago)
The Changing Landscape of Evidence Based Practices
In my backyard of Portland, Oregon the following changes have been introduced in the last few years. The same things are happening across America at the local, state and federal level as well as within private agencies. The impact on nonprofits, local government, and grantwriting is immense....
______
Evidence-Based and Best Practices, Benchmarks and Baselines - Part 1 of 2 Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, September 03, 2008 (4 years 254 days ago)
Nonprofits and grantwriters are increasingly being asked to use Evidence-Based Practices in applying for government funding, causing major shifts in funding and accountability. Evidence-Based Practices are the other side of evaluation -- they’re programs which have had a rigorous randomized study (evaluation) with statistically significant results.Funders like Evidence-Based Practices (EBP’s) because they...
______
Reading a Private Foundation’s Form 990-PF Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, May 14, 2008 (5 years 1 days ago)
The 990-PF gives a real insight into a foundation’s inner workings, and some grant-seekers spend hours poring over them. If you’re not sure it’s worth your time and trouble to review the 990-PF, think about this: Representatives of the foundation have spent weeks, or even months, compiling data and filling out the report.
______
Private Foundations Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, May 07, 2008 (5 years 8 days ago)
Private foundations first came into being in the early 20th century when business tycoons like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie formed trusts to support their charitable activities....
______
Grant Eligibility for Foreign Nonprofits Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, April 30, 2008 (5 years 15 days ago)
If you’re wanting to get grants for a foreign nonprofit from a U.S. foundation, of course they won’t be 501(c)(3) nonprofits because that’s an American tax status. Non-U.S.-based nonprofits must establish their eligibility as charities or nonprofit organizations with the IRS.
______
Basic Grant Tracking for the Small Organization Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, April 23, 2008 (5 years 22 days ago)
A typical nonprofit may submit a dozen, or 50, or 100 proposals a year and have maybe 30 percent of them funded. As a grantwriter, how do you keep track of them? In the course of that year, you or someone in your organization may talk to foundation or government agency staff countless times. How do you remember what was said?
______
Grant Professional Certification is Here! Contributed by:
Michael WellsThursday, April 17, 2008 (5 years 28 days ago)
It’s Official! After two years of development and seven years of planning, the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI, pronounced “gypsy”) has certified the first 170 GPC (Grant Professional Certified) grant professionals. There will be three examinations in 2008, and there’s still time to register for them....
______
Indirect Costs Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, December 12, 2007 (5 years 155 days ago)
Unlike many private foundations, the Federal Government acknowledges that it costs money to run your agency, above and beyond the costs of providing direct services. These administrative overhead or “indirect” costs are the things that keep your organization operating smoothly and efficiently, but are not tied to any one. They can include such things as:
______
Grant Professional Certification Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, July 11, 2007 (5 years 309 days ago)
It’s finally happening! After almost two years of development and seven years of planning, the Grant Professional Certification Institute (GPCI) will be offering the first professional credential for grantwriters this fall. The GPC credential will be similar to the CFRE for nonprofit fundraisers, in that it certifies experience and requires a test to demonstrate knowledge in the field.
______
Would You Like to Write for Grants and Foundations Review? Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, March 14, 2007 (6 years 63 days ago)
From time to time, we like to let our colleagues know that Grants and Foundations Review (GFR) articles are written by CharityChannel colleagues who raise their hands to share their hard-earned knowledge and experience. We invite you give some thought to writing for GFR, a weekly electronic publication with a circulation of nearly 16,000 colleagues in the grantwriting and funding community.
______
Grants and Snake Oil Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, March 14, 2007 (6 years 63 days ago)
Several months ago I got one of those dinnertime telemarketing phone calls. But as I was getting ready to give my “I’m not interested” speech, the voice said “You can get $8,000 in free government grants to do anything you want with. And you never have to pay it back.” So of course as a professional grantwriter I decided to hear him out. He said they would have a local representative contact me; all I had to do was give him my bank account information and mother’s maiden name so they could deduct $299.95 for the service. I made up some numbers and a name, but when I asked questions about a phone number where I could call back or an address he wouldn’t tell me, only that my local representative would give me that information.
______
Evidence Based and Best Practices, Benchmarks and Baselines Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, February 21, 2007 (6 years 84 days ago)
Nonprofits and grantwriters are increasingly being asked to use Evidence Based Practices in applying for government funding, causing major shifts in funding and accountability. Evidence Based Practices are the other side of evaluation -- they’re programs which have had a rigorous randomized study (evaluation) with statistically significant results.
______
Using an Outside Evaluator Contributed by:
Michael WellsSaturday, February 10, 2007 (6 years 95 days ago)
In many cases with larger grants and complex projects you’ll want or need to hire an outside evaluator. Sometimes you’ll want to prove the effectiveness of a program and need someone with specialized skills to oversee control groups, do statistical analysis, and so forth.
______
Grants World in 2006 Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, December 27, 2006 (6 years 140 days ago)
As we wind down the old year, it’s a good time to look back and reflect on the changes in 2006. Our field, like the rest of the world, is rapidly changing.
______
Google is Great! But Don't Forget the Public Library! Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, October 04, 2006 (6 years 224 days ago)
In the last few years we’ve gotten so used to Googling as our primary source of grant research for needs and program models that many people have forgotten about the incredible resource available to us all for free, the public library! According to the Institute for Museum and Library Science, America has 122,000 libraries.
______
The Feds Go Virtual Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, September 13, 2006 (6 years 245 days ago)
The U.S. Government is moving rapidly towards moving its operations online. In some ways this is a blessing for grantwriters -- every federal agency now has a good web site and there’s tons of research information available online. On the other hand if you want a paper copy of an RFP, sometimes they don’t make them anymore, so you have to download it and print out all 150 pages yourself. In any case, they’re bigger than we are and have the money, so we have to learn to play by their rules. Here are three new or emerging changes:
______
Why Do Evaluation? Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, September 06, 2006 (6 years 252 days ago)
For many grantwriters, evaluation competes with finances as the least favorite part of developing proposals. It seems terribly complex, it can feel like it’s forced on you by funders, and you may experience resistance from the program people whose cooperation you need to develop a good proposal. The evaluation section is treated as a necessary evil and an afterthought -- something you throw together after the real work of your proposal is done. As a result, it is often one of the weakest parts of many people’s grants. In a competitive funding round, a strong evaluation section may make the difference between getting funded or turned down. Yet we have doubts....
______
Grant Professional Credentialing Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, August 23, 2006 (6 years 266 days ago)
Since its establishment in 1997, the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP) has emphasized the importance of professional certification in establishing grant development as a recognized profession. Last year the process moved into a two year implementation phase. This is a report on where the process stands and where it's going.
______
The Challenge of Faith Based Funding Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, August 02, 2006 (6 years 287 days ago)
A couple of weeks ago I got a call from a woman in Texas who had found me on the Internet. She wanted someone to train consultants to write grants for faith based organizations, under the Compassionate Capital Fund. I'm in Oregon and don't do much training, so I couldn't help her but it got me thinking: What's happening with the Faith Based Funding Initiative that was in the news a few years ago?
______
Reading Your 501(c)(3) Letter Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, March 08, 2006 (7 years 69 days ago)
Every grantwriter is familiar with the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Foundations and corporations always ask for a copy with grant proposals as do some government grant programs. But before you just mail it in with your application, look it over and make sure it’s current and has no unpleasant surprises. This article will look at a few examples and point out things to look for, but first here are a few hints and observations....
______
Understanding US Tax Exempt Status Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, February 08, 2006 (7 years 97 days ago)
As a grantwriter working for a nonprofit organization, you need to have a basic understanding of tax exemption and keep track of your organization's status, even though it's nowhere in your job description. This is for one simple reason -- very likely nobody else will be paying attention and if your tax exempt status changes dramatically, your organization can stop being grant eligible. This article will give you enough background to protect your organization (and your job).
______
Trends that are Changing Grantwriting Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, November 30, 2005 (7 years 167 days ago)
The world of grants is changing rapidly, along with most of modern society, and the grants professional needs to be aware of these changes. Some are minor trends which may or may not last, such as "social venture philanthropy," which grew out of the high-tech bubble of the late 1990s. Major trends, like the use of the Internet, are just beginning to show their impact.
______
What You Need to Know About Fiscal Sponsorship Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, May 18, 2005 (7 years 363 days ago)
Sometimes a nonprofit will be asked to act as a fiscal sponsor for another group which wants grant funding, or to allow use of its tax exempt status to facilitate contributions to another group or individual. The "fiscal sponsor" relationship is often assumed to be simple. It isn't, so if you're considering entering into this arrangement from any role, read this article first.
______
Honing Your Professional Skills Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, April 20, 2005 (8 years 26 days ago)
Grantwriting is a multifaceted business, and good writing is less than half of the work. Good project and organizational planning are just as important to developing successful proposals, and an understanding of finances and staffing helps, too. As with any profession, continuous improvement and lifelong learning are keys to success.
______
Matching Evaluation to Your Project and Organization - Part 2 Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, January 05, 2005 (8 years 131 days ago)
What kind of evaluation you need to do, and who you will involve, depends on your project and your organization.
______
Matching Evaluation to Your Project and Organization - Part 1 Contributed by:
Michael WellsFriday, December 03, 2004 (8 years 164 days ago)
The need for evaluation of grant projects has increased over the years, as funders and nonprofits have become more sophisticated and more focused on results. Before the 1960s, it was possible to get funded by saying, "There are young people living on the streets of BostonPortland who really need help. We care about them and want to help them." This wasn’t specific enough for funders to know if their grants were having an impact, so they started to ask, "How many?"
______
Using the Budget to Tell Your Story Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, July 21, 2004 (8 years 299 days ago)
For some grantwriters, the budget seems cut and dried. It tells how much money you need to do the project described in your narrative. It's often left to the fiscal or program folks to develop. This approach misses the opportunity to use the budget to support your narrative and strengthen your proposal...
______
Grants as Part of a Capital Campaign Contributed by:
Michael WellsTuesday, December 09, 2003 (9 years 159 days ago)
Grantwriting for capital campaigns is also somewhat different from other grants. They are generally larger -- if your largest previous grant was $100,000, a capital request may be $500,000 or a million or more. They require more strategy and coordination with other fundraising efforts.
______
Using Logic Models in Grant Development Contributed by:
Michael WellsWednesday, November 12, 2003 (9 years 186 days ago)
But those clever evaluators have been developing tools that can be very useful to us in doing grant project planning and presenting goals and objectives. One major evaluation tool which is gaining wider usage is the Logic Model. Used correctly, a Logic Model can help in writing the body of the proposal, improve services and provide all of the ingredients for making evaluation a snap.
______
Doom and Gloom Contributed by:
Michael WellsTuesday, July 29, 2003 (9 years 292 days ago)
I hear a lot of people these days worrying about the sagging economy and the drop in the stock market and the supposedly tight grants environment. It seems like the foundations have lost a bundle in the market and grants are harder to get than ever. Woe is us. And while of course there's some truth to that, its not the whole picture. If we step back a bit and take a longer view, its not all doom and gloom.