Each year, the United Way of Winnipeg funds dozens of organizations through their organizational development grants. The Governance Guru can help with all of your Governance and Leadership needs, including training, development or revision to board bylaws, policies, procedures, documents, terms of reference, roles/responsibilities of the board, and board review/assessment. Book a meeting to talk about how we can help your organization and your board to be more effective.
Applications are open until November 1, and you cannot have received another organizational development grant this fiscal year.
If you’re thinking about applying for the grant, here are some easy tips to follow:
- Pick a Priority Area: Focus your project on one of the main areas they support, like improving your board, handling finances better, training staff, or building partnerships. These are the things they care about most, so make sure your idea fits into one of these.
- Plan Your Budget: The grant covers 75% of the cost, so you’ll need to show how you’ll pay for the other 25%. Make sure you include a clear budget that explains both parts. Don’t be afraid to ask for the full $7,500 and don’t be afraid to ask for far less.
- Show Long-Term Benefits: Explain how the grant will help your organization grow and be stronger for the long run. They want to support projects that make a lasting difference, so highlight how your project will do that.
- Highlight Partnerships: If you’re working with other organizations, make sure to talk about it. United Way likes to see groups working together, so mention any partners you have or plan to work with.
- Be Clear About the Impact: Make it easy for them to understand the results of your project. Be specific about what will change and how it will help your organization and the people you serve.
These grants can be quite competitive. Demonstrating both need and the benefits is important. And making your board better is always a good investment!
Find more information on writing a great grant application here
