Grant Funding Research
Grant Research
Scala & Associates conducts strategic grant funding research by using multiple databases full of prospective grant funders. We cross-reference research outcomes to reveal funders that are best aligned with the operating and program needs of our nonprofit clients. We organize the outcomes of our grant research in the following ways:
Establish a comprehensive Grant Tracker Excel Spreadsheet with specific prospect information. Each funder line item contains:
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- ‘Live’ funder web links
- Deadlines
- Application information
- Funding criteria
- Recommended requests
- Status updates
Prepare Individual Prospect Profiles. Each profile contains:
- ‘Live’ funder web links
- 990 document links
- Fields of interest
- Contact information, with ‘live’ links
- Funding guidelines
- Financial information
- Board members
Establish a comprehensive Grant Tracker Excel Spreadsheet with specific prospect information. Each funder line item contains:
- ‘Live’ funder web links
- Deadlines
- Application information
- Funding criteria
- Recommended requests
- Status updates
Prepare Individual Prospect Profiles. Each profile contains:
- ‘Live’ funder web links
- 990 document links
- Fields of interest
- Contact information, with ‘live’ links
- Funding guidelines
- Financial information
- Board members
Our Approach to the Grants Process
Scala & Associates works in partnership with its clients to review all grant research outcomes and makes solid recommendations on next steps. We guide our clients on how to build relationships with grant makers in a way that fosters meaningful grant funding outcomes.
In fact, our entire approach to the grants process is anchored in the 9 Validated Competencies and Skills established by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute as follows:
- Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs
- Knowledge of organizational development as it pertains to grant seeking
- Knowledge of strategies for effective program and project design and development
- Knowledge of how to craft, construct, and submit an effective grant application
- Knowledge of post-award grant management practices sufficient to inform effective grant design and development
- Knowledge of nationally recognized standards of ethical practice by grants professionals
- Knowledge of practices and services that raise the level of professionalism of grant professionals
- Knowledge of methods and strategies that cultivate and maintain relationships between fund-seeking and recipient organizations and funders
- Ability to write a convincing case for funding
Grant Readiness
In addition to grant research, Scala & Associates assesses its client’s ability to win grants by implementing a Grant Readiness process. We align our client’s available grant-related documentation and information with our 38-point Grant Readiness Checklist. The checklist meets or exceeds the typical expectations of grant funders when considering a nonprofit organization for grant support. Our approach improves the preparation level of our clients, which increases the chances of winning grants.