A New Language: "Grantsmanship"

When you first start exploring the world of grant funding, you will likely encounter a whole new language. Just like in education and other professionals, philanthropy has its own vocabulary and acronyms. Below is a quick guide to the language of grantsmanship:

		Grantee: This is who you want to be. The person, school or district that "gets the grant."
		Grantor: This is who you are looking for. The business, foundation or organization that is giving the grant.
		RFP (Request for Proposal): Many grantors -- particularly foundations -- have a specific narrative format that they want you to follow when you apply for a grant. Usually budget, staffing and background information about your school or district as well as the new program you are proposing are components of an RFP.
		RFA (Request for Application): Increasingly grantors are moving away from asking for complex proposals and are asking for RFAs -- a much shorter, initial grant application that simply explains your program and what type of funding you are looking for. Once the organization decides it is interested in your "Success Highways" program, it may ask for a more detailed proposal or, in some instances, fund your program based on the strength of the RFA.
		NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability): This is what you want to look for -- information on what an organization is all about, the types of programs it is interested in funding, its eligibility requirements, deadline for applications, how much it will fund, etc.
		In-Kind Contributions: Most funders will want to know what your school or district is providing to support your "Success Highways" program -- what your "in-kind contribution" will be. At first you may think, "We don't have the funds for it -- that is why we are asking you!" But step back for a minute and think about it. There is a value of the teacher time that is invested in implementing the program and overhead expenses for telephone calls, emails and faxes for program activities. In some instances, funders even allow you to count a percentage of the physical space that you are providing for the program as part of your "in-kind contribution."
		Matching Funds: When you look at the types of funding that some organizations provide, you may find that they will "match" the funds that you have already raised or that your district is providing for the program. Grantors --particularly foundations -- do this so that they know that you have made a local investment in the program and are committed to its ongoing success.
		IRS Tax Exempt Letter: For just about any kind of grant funding, you will need a copy of the IRS Tax Exempt Letter for your school district. This letter lets the funder know that you -- the grantseeker -- are not a "for profit" organization and, therefore, eligible for funding. Another great resource for learning definitions of the terms used in the world of philanthropy is the Web site of the JC Downing Foundation. Visit it at http://www.jcdowning.org/resources/definitions.htm