Grant Writing Tips
Eligibility:
The first item to review in a grant announcement is the eligibility criteria. The announcement will state if an agency must be a 501 c3, a federally qualified health center, a teaching facility, a critical access hospital, in a rural area, in a health professional shortage area (HPSA), in an urban area, a State agency, a church, and/or other qualifiers. It could also state the type of agency that is not eligible. There are typically no exceptions to the eligibility criteria. Determining if your agency is eligible first will save you effort and time in preparing an unnecessary application.
Agency History:
If you are planning on submitting grant it is a good idea to have an agency description prepared that includes your agency history, experience, eligibility, and populations served regarding demographics and numbers annually. Other very important facts to include are your agency’s management and organizational structure, ability to be financially responsible, and size of your agency. The most important aspects of grant writing is to make sure the reader/reviewer of your application has an unquestionable understanding of who you serve, the atmosphere of your agency (make them feel familiar without too many details), the management and fiscal ability and strengths, and how you will be the best agency to provide the serves that you detail in your application. After reading your agency history they should have believed that they have spent time with you and your management at your agency.