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When gathering funds for a community project, it is important to know your options and have a variety of sources available. Getting funds in the form of a grant for community development is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. You only need to know where to look . There are funding sources locally within most every neighborhood, as well as state and federal community grants.

Starting locally for fundraising and grant money can often be beneficial. Often times local businesses and organizations are eager to help. The methods of receiving help from them will differ for each company. Some of the companies may offer grants, while others may wish to contribute through a one-time or even a consecutive contribution. Many of these businesses set aside a certain amount each year to use toward grassroots community development and are looking for organizations to donate to.

One source that exists in almost all locations is a community foundation. This source serves as a central headquarters for many various granting programs, similar to a shopping mall. A community foundation can help smaller projects gain federal non-profit 501(c)3 status. Groups under a community foundation's umbrella also receive credibility, along with advice on how to attain success.

Another source for grants is actually the local city hall. This is where state and federal government grants can be found. To find out about these, either contact the city hall or visit the city government Web site. Cities may organize this in different ways, but there is generally grant money available at this source.

In the case of the grants, you will need to perform and submit a writeup on your organization's community development plans, in regards to the grant. If you do not know how to apply for a grant, there are many books that describe the proper format. There are also many organizations that offer free tutorials on grant proposal writing on their Web sites, such as Foundation Center.

There are a variety of ways to receive money for community development through fundraising. Organizing a raffle, an auction or another entertainment venue can be a great way to earn money for grassroots development. When planning the event, be sure to print up plenty of fliers. People like to know exactly what their money will do. On the fliers, specify exactly where the money will be used.

For instance, if money is being raised to build a community playground, state that and state how much it will cost as well as how much (if any) has already been raised. Also mention what supplies could be purchased with a few small amounts of money. For instance, if it were true, you could say $5 buys a package of playground bolts. In grassroots community development, it is highly likely that the entire community will benefit. Be sure to emphasize this to people when asking for help.

The main thing to remember when applying for grants, as well as fundraising is that sometimes it takes persistence to get what you want and need. Do not get discouraged if any grant applications are denied or when fundraising doesn't yield the expected results. Sometimes this happens. It does not necessarily mean that it wasn't done correctly. This is why it is important to submit grant applications to a variety of sources and to hold more than one fundraising event if needed. Doing both will give a greater possibility of receiving the funds needed.

Sources:
Foundation Center
http://foundationcenter.org/

Fund-Raising.com
http://www.fund-raising.com/

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