Are You Likely to Win a Grant? - A video from Sarah Aubrey

5 Keys to Grant Eligibility, AKA Are you Likely To Win a Grant?

By Sarah Aubrey

The most important place to start in the grant writing and funding process is with grant eligibility. Never apply for a grant where you either doubt that you are eligible or don’t know how to determine if your project is a fit. Take a look at these top five fits for learning if your project is likely eligible to receive funds.

Key One: Is your project clearly defined?

Be ready to indicate very clearly what the size, scope, location, timeline, technology and objectives are for your proposed project. If you can’t articulate these well, you’re not ready for grant funding. Head back to the planning stage and get this outlined. Better yet, have a good business plan or project management plan to send with the grant application.

Key Two: Does the agency fund projects like yours?

It is always a good idea to see who else is out there doing is the same thing and getting grant awards. Check the websites for possible grant agencies you may like to work with and see what similar projects are being funded now or have completed a grant award in the past. One to try is www.grants.gov.

Key Three: Do you have the needed documentation to be considered for an award? 

This topic is a blog or three on its own! For now, just know that all grants are going to require a certain level of documentation and pre-work including business plans and projections, letters of intent for community partners, technical material and budgets, feasibility studies if the work is for an emerging business, and often even personal or business tax returns.

Key Four: How does your project serve others?

You don’t have to be a not-for-profit or religious group with a charitable mission to serve others. Many grant awards are made for for-profit entities. Still, those entities must show that they can provide a highly visible benefit to the grant agency in return for completing the work. Can your project enhance a certain aspect of your industry or community? If so, this is a good indicator of eligibility.

Key Five: Is your organization solvent?

If you are involved in legal proceedings, have judgments against your firm or are in bankruptcy, it is not likely the best time to seek a grant. You will be required to sign a variety of statements depending on the grant agency indicating that your firm is in good standing.

Hopefully these quick tips will get you started. For more information see the related video I did called "Are You Eligible for a Grant?" (below) or visit www.prosperityagenergy.com.

"Are You Eligible for a Grant?" A video by Sarah Aubrey.