Local community groups might be overlooking a potent and potentially invaluable source of funding that’s right under their noses — their phones.
According to Deborah Griffiths, crowd sourcing is the latest trend for community groups to gain financial backing for their projects. And it just might be the easiest and most overlooked.
All it takes is a little social-media savvy, a Facebook page or a Twitter account. Crowd sourcing has been used for everything from product launches to funding Hollywood movies. Griffiths says community groups can cash in too.
“It’s something that’s happened pretty fast,” she said in an interview. “I’m surprised some non-profits are reluctant to do it.”
Griffiths is the author of a new book called the Grant Writing and Funding Coach, which is filled with advice for community groups to approach sources of funding, ranging from various levels of governments to foundations and private donors such as corporations.
It’s just a short little tome — about 120 pages — and meant to be that way. But it’s packed with invaluable advice for any community group seeking grants.
Griffiths has acted as a consultant for groups including the Royal Tyrell Museum for grant applications ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to tens of millions. No matter the size they all have one thing in common: a story.
“The top priority is developing a story that reaches a funder. It’s not the word count that matters, it’s not about how long and complex the narrative is, it’s about building a bridge between you and the funder.”
Compared to the traditional path of applying for grants, crowd sourcing works because it reaches a targeted audience and people with a genuine personal interest in a particular cause or project. It’s easier to make an emotional appeal, she explains, while reaching a broader base of people.
Part of the reason for the reluctance to go down the social media path is demographics — volunteers on various community groups are older and not as comfortable with technology, even though they probably already have smart phones and internet access.
She agrees younger people tend to gravitate more to the new era of connectivity.
Apart from crowd sourcing, in which she devotes an entire chapter, the book also explores more traditional methods of gaining support, which are surprisingly accessible. In addition to various levels of government, many corporations have community service budgets and allow employees to use company time as volunteer hours. In addition, there are countless sources of private funding ranging from individuals and charitable foundations.
Apart from a compelling cause, Griffiths says it’s also important to have a budget — everyone wants to follow the money. Collaboration between groups, especially in smaller communities is also helpful, she says.
The bottom line she says, is to be sincere, and do the prerequisite homework. She’s seen grant applications approved that were less than a single page.
“They don’t need to be complex applications, they
