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I took a course in Grants Writing about a year ago. I learned enough to know that there is an whole lot that goes into a grant. Too much for me to think I could do it. One thing to keep in mind is anyone you're asking to give you anything want's to know what's in it for them. It might boil down to a good feeling the CEO gets or it might be a pr point for their company to say they support a well known group that is seen in their community as making a difference. The course talked about being able to show them a specific measurable problem. Something like 150 local kids live below the state poverty level and do not get a chance to learn social skills ... Then they want to know how what your asking for is going to help that specifically. How are you actaually going to know if you helped? Crime down? Kids in program have lower HS drop out rates? Of course you need to know the rates now to see if your making a difference. It gets deep quick. Of course personal contacts help too. If your lucky you'll make a personal contact with someone who'll already belives in your cause and your word is enough. But to approach a big corp, well apparently lots of folks are all the time and you need to show them you are a place that can use their gifts in a way they will value better the others that are asking. Be very professional. Show them what the problem is. Why they should care. What you plan to do to solve the problem. How their contribution will be used. How you'll know if your plans are working. How you plan to continue when this help is gone. Etc. Specific, measurable, quantifiable. Everyone wants to support a winner. Nobody wants to throw money at a lost cause. Check the library. There are books on writing grants. Lots of them.
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