Foundation offers tips for grant writers

SIERRA VISTA — The Cochise Community Foundation is currently seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations, schools and government entities serving Cochise County.

Applications must be submitted online through the Arizona Community Foundation’s Web site at azfoundation.org/grants by 5 p.m. on June 20.

For the first time, all CCF grant applications must be completed entirely online, and CCF has developed the following 10 tips to help grant writers submit successful applications:

Write a short project summary: One to three paragraphs stating the project’s goal and who will benefit.

Share information: include the organization’s history, mission and success stories.

State the need: Mention why your organization chose this particular project and describe the need by providing local data.

Outline your plans: Explain what your organization plans to accomplish with the project by including project details such as activities and dates.

Explain the intended impact: Describe the project’s potential effects on the community.

List accurate estimates: Include all the expected income and expenses in the project budget.

Identify all resources: Include the name and amount of funding commitments from other organizations.

Recognize community gifts: Describe in-kind contributions from local individuals and businesses to demonstrate community support.

Map your future: For continuing projects, describe a long-term vision and funding plan.

Evaluate: :ist who and how the project will be evaluated and what data will be collected.

CCF will award grants between $1,000 and $3,000. Notice of awards will be made by September 2008.

CCF supports projects within Cochise County that serve a large and diverse group of people and that involve volunteers, utilize cooperation between organizations and seek multiple sources of funding to address community challenges with new and creative solutions.

The Cochise Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation, is a permanent philanthropic endowment for the enduring benefit of the community. It secures, manages and allocates donors’ gifts for charitable purposes in Cochise County while working to improve the quality of life for local residents. For more information contact Del Cabarga, Assistant Southeast Regional Director at 520-236-4675 or  HYPERLINK “mailto:dcabarga@azfoundation.org” dcabarga@azfoundation.org or visit  www.cochisefoundation.org.