Everything Else
Most funders ask for a list of your charity’s board of directors with their professional affiliations, such as “General Manager, Community Bank” or simply as “Philanthropist.” If someone is retired, give the former occupation and note “retired” after the job title. The board list should be on a separate page, and don’t give personal addresses or phone numbers. Some funders might want to know how long each board member has served on your board.
Funders also like to know who else supports your charity. Funders seem to be able to come up with an amazing number of ways to ask for your donor list, but mostly they want to know the institutional funders (not individuals) in the last year that have given you $1,000 or more. Occasionally, you’ll also be asked to include funders to which you have applications outstanding. Mark these “pending,” and give the amount you expect to receive.
You’ll be tempted to include other items to support your proposal, yet too much material can hurt rather than help your application. Usually, send only those attachments the funder specifically requests. You might, however, also consider including the following materials if they are germane to the proposal:
• A general organizational brochure will supplement the background information you’ve given as part of the proposal. These are particularly helpful to new funders.
• Two or three press articles (not press releases) that pertain directly to your project (or for general operating support, anything about your charity) will reinforce your charity’s reputation.
• Documents that support your claim to have done similar programs in the past, such as a lesson plan, teacher’s guide, disease prevention pamphlet, concert program, publication, or flyers announcing your programs, are also of interest. Keep these to a minimum unless the funder specifically requests them.
• Annual reports are good for new funders. Current funders should have already received them. Of course, it would be even better if the new funder had received your most recent report as part of your cultivating them.
HOW TO SAY IT
A list of attachments helps the funder by identifying the content and order of the attachments, and it also helps you by serving as a checklist of what you intend to include. You can give the list of attachments at the end of the cover letter (in which case you’d also list all the parts of the proposal), in a table of contents (ditto), or at the end of the proposal narrative (before the budget).
Never include DVDs, videotapes, audiotapes, or books unless requested to do so by the funder. With all the materials the funder must already process, these will simply add an awkward bulkiness to your proposal. They won’t be seen, heard, or read.
The Least You Need to Know
• Don’t rely on the same statement of your history to convey the important points relevant to your proposal. Customize it.
• Consider applying the outcomes method of proposal construction to your history to provide a clear picture of your charity’s impact.
• Use testimonials from clients and those in your field to reinforce your message.
• Use press reports to increase your credibility.
• Always include proof of nonprofit status, even with renewal grants.
• Keep staff and consultant bios brief.
• Don’t include bulky items such as DVDs or books unless requested.
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