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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Nonprofit Grant Writing & Proposal Writing

Role: Grant Writer (Individual) | Clients: 3 Nonprofits | Course: Grant Proposal Writing

Primary Competencies: Grant Research, Database Analysis, Proposal Writing, Persuasive Writing

Overview

As the central project for my Grant Proposal Writing course, I had the privilege of working independently with three distinct Colorado Springs nonprofit organizations: the Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust (RMCLT), the Colorado Association of Family Medical Residencies (CAFMR), and Crossfire Ministries. My role was to assist each organization in their funding efforts by researching relevant grant opportunities and drafting customized grant proposals tailored to specific funders and organizational needs.

Collaboration and Needs Assessment

Understanding each organization's unique mission and funding requirements was paramount. I initiated contact via email and subsequently held virtual meetings with key personnel from each nonprofit. These discussions were crucial for gaining a deep understanding of their organizational goals, the specific programs needing funding, target populations served, and the desired outcomes they hoped to achieve, all of which informed the research and writing process.

Researching Funding Opportunities

With a clear picture of each client's needs, I embarked on extensive research using the UCCS Kraemer Family Library databases, specifically leveraging the **Candid Foundation Directory**. This powerful tool provided insights into potential grantmakers, their funding histories, and specific areas of interest. My process involved strategically filtering potential funders based on criteria directly relevant to each nonprofit, such as subject area (e.g., affordable housing, food security), geographic focus (primarily Colorado Springs/El Paso County), populations served, and organization type.

Screenshot of the Candid Foundation Directory grant search interface showing filters applied for Subject Area, Geographic Focus, Population Served, and Organization Type.
Figure 1: Utilizing filtered search in the Candid Foundation Directory via Kraemer Library databases to identify relevant grantmakers.

Clicking into potential grantmaker profiles revealed detailed reports outlining their funding priorities, geographic distribution of grants, typical grant sizes, and contact information. Analyzing these profiles was essential for determining the best alignment between my clients' needs and a funder's giving patterns. I compiled this research systematically to track promising opportunities for each nonprofit.

Screenshot of a sample grantmaker profile page from the database, showing details like 'What is Being Funded?', 'Where is The Money Going?', and 'How Big Are The Grants?'.
Figure 2: Analyzing a detailed grantmaker profile to assess funding alignment (Example: The New Horizons Foundation Inc.).

Proposal Drafting and Delivery

Based on the targeted research and the specific needs gathered during client consultations, I drafted comprehensive grant proposals individually tailored for each organization and potential funder. Each proposal was carefully constructed to align the nonprofit's mission and project details with the funder's stated interests, articulate funding requirements clearly, and incorporate evidence like statistics or program outcomes where appropriate to build a persuasive case for support.

First page excerpt of a grant proposal for Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust, showing Mission, Overall Goals, and Overall Objectives.
Figure 3: Excerpt from the tailored grant proposal drafted for Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust.

My goal was to create compelling narratives that effectively communicated the impact and importance of each organization's work, directly addressing the criteria outlined by potential funders. Upon completion, I delivered these polished draft proposals to the respective organizations for their internal review, further refinement, and ultimate submission.

First page excerpt of a grant proposal for Crossfire Ministries, showing the Agency Information including Mission and Leadership.
Figure 4: Excerpt from the distinct grant proposal drafted for Crossfire Ministries.

Outcome & Reflection

This intensive project provided invaluable hands-on experience across the entire grant writing cycle, from initial client outreach and targeted database research to persuasive writing and proposal structuring. I successfully delivered customized draft proposals to three vital community organizations, equipping them with tailored tools to pursue necessary funding. The experience immersed me in the granularity of research – gathering numerous data points, analyzing funder profiles, synthesizing complex information, and translating it into clear, audience-focused, persuasive documents. It reinforced the critical link between thorough research, clear client communication, and effective technical communication. Moving forward, I plan to continue developing my research techniques and narrative skills for crafting compelling proposals.