Resources

It’s All About Grants seeks to support grant writers and managers. It offers a curated collection of tools, templates, and guides that streamline the grant process. Whether you’re looking for tips on researching funders, crafting a strong needs statement, or managing awarded grants, this page provides valuable insights and practical resources to help you succeed.

Pre-Writing Resources 

Equip yourself with essential tools and insights to kickstart your grant writing journey. From where to find grants to planning guides, these resources lay the groundwork for a successful proposal.

An essential starting point for individuals seeking grants from state entities. It offers practical approaches to locating state-specific grants across a variety of sectors, including education, health, arts, community development, and more. Whether you’re new to grant seeking or looking to expand your funding sources, this guide provides the foundational knowledge you need to navigate state funding opportunities effectively.

This guide offers a streamlined, state-by-state directory of private grantmaking foundations across the U.S. Designed for nonprofits and community organizations, it helps you quickly identify potential funders that align with your mission. While this guide is not exhaustive it is a great resource to enhance your grant-seeking strategy and connect with the right foundations to support your work.

The guide on corporate giving through banks explains how community initiatives can access funding through programs mandated by the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA requires banks to support low- to moderate-income communities in areas like affordable housing, small business development, financial literacy, and community revitalization.

The guide lists banks by state, detailing their areas of service and key initiatives. It encourages organizations to contact these banks to understand their application processes, which can range from a simple inquiry letter to a formal application. The aim is to help organizations leverage CRA funding for their projects effectively

Applying for 501(c) tax-exempt status is a crucial step for nonprofits seeking to operate legally and attract tax-deductible donations. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to the application process, including relevant websites and resources.

A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a distinctive alphanumeric code assigned to entities (such as businesses, nonprofits, or government agencies) by the federal government to uniquely identify them during transactions and interactions with federal agencies. Having a UEI is a mandatory requirement for organizations to register in the System for Award Management (SAM), which is necessary to apply for and receive federal funds. These are instructions for obtaining a UEI. 

The Mission-Driven Grant Worksheet ensures that grant proposals align with the mission by asking critical questions, such as whether the project advances the mission, serves the intended population, aligns with long-term goals, and achieves expected outcomes

Writing Resources 

Our curated selection offers practical tools, tips, and best practices to enhance your grant writing skills. From detailed guides and templates to expert advice, you’ll find everything you need to craft compelling proposals and improve your chances of securing funding.

 

The US Census Data Tool Cheat Sheet provides a concise guide for using data.census.gov. It covers basic and advanced search techniques, navigation of results, understanding geographic filters, accessing specific datasets like the American Community Survey, and tips for efficient data retrieval. It also includes resources for help and support.

The Program Evaluation Quick Guide offers a concise resource for writing the evaluation section of a grant proposal. It outlines steps to define evaluation goals, select methods, identify success indicators, analyze data, and engage stakeholders. The guide emphasizes the importance of a clear evaluation plan to demonstrate project effectiveness, accountability, and impact to funders

The Guide to Scopes of Work provides a structured approach to creating clear and actionable goals, objectives, and activities for project success. It offers step-by-step instructions on defining goals, developing measurable objectives, outlining specific activities, and ensuring alignment among them. This resource helps ensure that projects are well-organized, purpose-driven, and effectively monitored for progress.

The Guide to Developing a Program Using a Logic Model provides a step-by-step approach to creating and implementing a program using a logic model framework. It covers defining the problem, setting goals, identifying resources, planning activities, specifying outputs, and evaluating outcomes. The guide emphasizes the importance of monitoring and refining the program to ensure alignment with goals and successful impact.

This document provides a curated list of general databases and topic-specific resources for finding evidence-based programs across various fields, including education, behavioral health, public health, and criminal justice. These resources help grant writers identify and implement proven programs, increasing the likelihood of funding success by demonstrating program effectiveness, aligning with funder priorities, and reducing risk.

The Data Sources for Grant Writing guide provides a comprehensive list of data sources organized by topic, such as health, education, environment, and more. It helps grant writers strengthen their proposals by utilizing relevant, credible data to support their project’s need and potential impact. It also offers tips on selecting, contextualizing, and visualizing data effectively for grant proposals​

Management Resources 

This section provides essential tools, guidelines, and best practices for effective grant management. Whether you’re overseeing multiple grants or ensuring compliance, our resources offer practical advice, templates, and strategies to help you manage funds efficiently and meet reporting requirements.

 

The document is a CFR 200 Compliance Checklist for Grant Management, outlining essential steps for complying with the federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200. It includes guidelines for maintaining financial records, internal controls, grant reporting, procurement procedures, audit requirements, cost principles, and administrative standards. This resource is designed to help organizations effectively manage their grants and maintain compliance with federal standards.

The document outlines federal and state procurement standards and thresholds, emphasizing rules for acquiring goods and services. It covers general federal procurement standards (2 CFR 200), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and procurement methods, including thresholds for micro-purchases and simplified acquisitions. The document also explains debarment, contract types, and cost principles for federal awards. Additionally, it provides a detailed list of procurement thresholds for individual states, guiding competitive bidding and contracting requirements across the U.S.

The Procurement Compliance Checklist for State and Federal Guidelines provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help procurement professionals ensure compliance with applicable regulations. It covers critical aspects such as procurement planning, competitive bidding, vendor management, cost analysis, contract management, and audit preparation. By following this checklist, organizations can promote fair competition, maintain regulatory compliance, and avoid penalties during state or federal procurement processes

The document is a Grant Audit Preparation Checklist designed to guide organizations through the steps required for a successful grant audit. It covers key areas such as understanding the audit scope, organizing financial records, reviewing grant documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations, and preparing for interviews with auditors. 

The Financial Management Policy Template provides a comprehensive framework for managing grant funds in compliance with federal regulations (2 CFR 200). It includes guidelines on budgeting, allowable and unallowable costs, record-keeping, segregation of duties, and financial reporting. This policy template ensures proper use of funds, transparency, and adherence to federal requirements.

The Risk Management Policy Template provides a structured approach for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with grant-making activities. It addresses financial, operational, and reputational risks to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of grant-funded programs. The policy includes guidelines for risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting to help organizations maintain compliance and safeguard their reputation.

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