GM Guide Samples

Table of Contents

Sample Chapter: Planning and Design

Once the board has determined your funding priorities, it is time to decide how to conduct your grantmaking. Careful planning of the grantmaking process, with appropriate infrastructure to support it and a communications plan to promote it, are the core elements of successful grantmaking. With these in place, you can build a positive rapport with the grantseeking community and strong, trust-based relationships with grantees. 

Current practices in grants management design and planning include:

Matching application procedures to your grantmaking strategy 

Streamlining application requirements

Creating transparent processes for funding priorities and application procedures

Using grants management systems that support your process

Sample Documents and Templates

Common Grant Application
Eligibility Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Full Proposal
Letter of Inquiry
Small Grant Application

External Resources

IRS Form 990-PF

"990-PF." GivingForum.org. 26 Jan. 2008. Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. 26 Jan. 2008. This site offers an overview of the most important aspects of filling out the 990-PF, focusing on what to know before signing the 990-PF and common errors to avoid. 
"Demystifying the 990-PF." Foundation Center.org. 26 Jan. 2008. The Foundation Center. 26 Jan. 2008. This article provides an online tutorial on the 990-PF.
"IRS Form 990: An Illustrated Tutorial." 26 Jan. 2008. GuideStar. 26 Jan. 2008.
"Understanding the IRS Form 990." 26 Jan. 2008. GuideStar. 26 Jan. 2008.

Communications

Huang, Judy. "Foundation Communications: The Grantee Perspective." Center for Effective Philanthropy.
Foundation Directory Online

Financial Statements

Berger, Stephen S. Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements. BoardSource. This publication describes key accounting concepts and provides sample nonprofit financial statements with explanation.

Grant Application/Proposals

"Common Grant Applications." 28 Jan. 2008. GivingForum.org. 28 Jan. 2008. This page provides links to the common grant applications that have been developed by regional associations of grantmakers around the country.
"Using Competitions & RFPs." Grantcraft. When does it make sense to hold a grant competition or use an RFP? In addition to looking at management issues to consider along the way, this guide explores how grant makers shape competitions to serve larger strategic goals, communicate with wider audiences, create a learning community, and find ways to work with those who are not selected.
"Sample Grant Guidelines, The Family Advisor: Grantmaking Issues." 28 Jan. 2008. COF.org. 28 Jan. 2008.

Tax Status Verification

GuideStar. 28 Jan. 2008. GuideStar.org. 28 Jan. 2008. A searchable database of nonprofit organizations in the United States with information on organizations' 501(c)(3) status, EIN, contact information, and financial information, GuideStar offers tools that enable grantmakers to work more efficiently.
"IRS Exempt Organization Search (Online Version of Publication 78)." Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. This online version is offered to help you conduct a more efficient search of these organizations.
IRS Bulletin. 28 Jan. 2008. IRS.gov. 28 Jan. 2008. The IRS publishes weekly announcements of all substantive rulings. The announcement for "exempt organizations" includes information on organizations whose public charity status has been revoked.
IRS Private Letter Ruling and Determination Letters. The IRS will rule on the tax consequence of proposed changes to an organization's purposes or activities. An organization can request a private letter ruling if it is unsure about whether proposed changes are consistent with its status as an exempt organization. Transactions that require a private letter ruling are listed.