Western North Carolina - Common Grant Approach

We are pleased to introduce the WNC Common Grant Approach, a process to make grantseeking simpler and more effective for nonprofits.

Western North Carolina grantmakers developed this format to make the grantseeking process simpler and more efficient for nonprofits.  We researched processes across the country and selected a proven approach that is being successfully utilized in numerous communities.

For ease of use and to eliminate unnecessary duplication of work, we have developed three core, consistent elements to be used by the participating funders:

1. COVER SHEET - Click here for a sample of the standardized Common Cover Sheet that will be used by participating grantmakers to collect consistent administrative information about your organization.  NOTE: PAGE TWO OF COVER SHEET IS DISTINCT TO SPECIFIC FUNDING SOURCE.
2. MENU OF QUESTIONS* - Click here for the complete set of possible questions that may be included by participating grantmakers.
3. BUDGET FORMS - Click for the  budget format and budget narrative documents used by participating grantmakers.

In addition, a sample board list is available with a desired format for how you submit this information.

* Note the “Menu of Questions” includes all possible questions that could be included by a participating grantmaker.  Individual grantmakers will select which questions to include and may put the questions in differing order.

CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDE-SHOW ORIENTATION TO THE COMMON GRANT PROCESS

PARTICIPATING GRANTMAKERS

The WNC Common Grant Approach is now being utilized by these funders. Click on the highlighted names to go to their web sites for further information about current grant cycles.

• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

• The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina -- Women for Women Grants Program
• Mission Health Systems Community Benefits Program

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL GRANTSEEKING
Keep in mind that every grantmaker has different guidelines and priorities, as well as different deadlines and timetables.  Before submitting an 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.

• Do your research to determine whether the funder’s goals and objectives for grantmaking are consistent with your type of grant request.
• 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..
• Type and single-space all proposals, and comply with word/space limitations, as well as other specific instructions.