Section 01
Know Your Organization
Before you apply for anything, you need to be able to answer these questions. Funders will ask them in application forms, in conversations, and in their review process. Having clear answers makes every application faster and stronger.
Organization identity
Funders often refer to your org by its abbreviation. Using it consistently builds recognition.
A strong mission statement is specific, not generic. "We provide education" is weak. "We provide adult literacy programs for rural residents who lack access to community college" is strong. Funders read dozens of these — yours should tell them exactly who you are.
What you do
Funders want to know what you actually do day-to-day, not just your mission. Be specific about activities, not just outcomes.
Many funders restrict grants to organizations serving specific populations. The more precisely you can describe yours, the easier it is to assess fit before you apply.
Geographic restrictions are one of the most common reasons applications get disqualified. Know your service area precisely.
Organizational capacity
Funders use budget size to assess whether your organization can manage and report on a grant. Some funders won't fund organizations with budgets too small or too large relative to the grant size.
Funders assess whether you have the capacity to do what you're proposing. Be honest — a small team that knows its limits is more credible than an overpromising one.
Theory of change
A theory of change explains the logic behind your work — why you believe your activities produce the outcomes you claim. Funders use it to assess whether your approach is sound. You don't need technical language. A simple if/then structure works: "If we offer free tax preparation services to low-income families, then those families will claim tax credits they're entitled to but often miss, because most eligible households don't file because the process is too complex and costly."
Funding history
List funders you've received grants from before. This helps establish credibility and track funder relationships over time.
A track record of successfully managing grants — even small ones — is a significant credibility signal. If you're new to grant funding, note that here and focus instead on your organizational stability and community trust.