You will need your IRS tax-exempt status letter, your most recent 990 tax filing, and a W-9 for the current year.

Who is your target audience? Why? What problem is the nonprofit trying to solve for them, and how is it doing that? Have a clearly defined “need statement” or “problem statement” and a compelling solution, and show why your organization is the right one to meet the need.

The organization will need to be prepared to provide a detailed annual operating budget, a budget for the program or project seeking funding, the most recent audited financials, and the previous year’s EOY financial statements.

Have the history of your organization written, clearly and concisely. What year was it established? What has it accomplished? Who are your key staff? What is the mission statement and the vision of the organization?

Prepare a list of current board members with their board role, occupation, and contact information. You will frequently be asked what percentage of the board supports the organization financially and with volunteer time outside of board meetings.

It’s important to look at your organizational capacity with a critical eye before applying for grants, and to choose grants that won’t become a burden that pushes the staff over the edge. Trying to administer a large government grant when already understaffed and stressed to the max is a recipe for disaster. Take a good look at reporting requirements and other commitments associated with the grant before applying.