GRANT REVENUE

by: Kim Throndson

Aug 12, 2025

Non profits can be funded or bring in $$ in many ways.  One way is to receive grants.  If you are a charity with a charitable number (see my post on Is my non profit a Charity), there are many grants available from government, corporations,  and foundations.  This post is a 2 part series.  Part 1 will discuss Grants in general.  Part 2 will discuss budgets in a grant submission.

As a Finance Manager I assisted in many grant proposals with success.   Below are some things to consider for a successful grant application.

Part 1 – Grant Revenue

1.       Grant – Definition

 A grant or contribution is a contract with the funder.  The funder will provide XX amount of funds over a certain time, and for a specific purpose.  It is a contract.  The funder provides the charity with funds and the charity uses funds to  achieve the contracted objective.

2.       Purpose of Grant

Read the grant objectives to ensure the charity fits the mandate or purpose.  For example if you are a service provider for learning disabilities, and the grant is for women in need, it may not be a fit.

3.       Request for Proposal/ Application

 If the purpose of the grant fits well with your charities purpose, mandate, and future goals, then great.  But read the application or request for proposal very carefully.   Note in the application:

-            Time line of funding

-            Deadline for submission

-            Program objectives/requirement

-            Required addition documentation like financial statements, incorporation documents, references from other funders

-            Signatures required – is it board members? Or just executive?

-            Reporting requirements

-            Budget line items (more on this in part 2)

4.        Assemble a team for the submission

 As part of the grant submission is program related, part finance, and part administrative – assemble a team with representation from each area to create the submission or application.  Also it is  good practice to have a second set of eyes on the submission.

5.       Draft copies and save copies

 Save drafts as there may be several  revisions.  Also save or print the final submission or application.  In this digital world everything is a portal – but you can still screen shot the submission before you submit.  The charity will need the submission to refer to if they are successful. 

Summary:

Grant = contract

Grant Purpose match charity purpose

Research RFP

Team approach

Draft, review, save

For a list of grants available see Funding under resources