Grants are a very important source of funds for most not-for-profits. Billions of dollars are provided every year by local, state and federal governments, as well as philanthropic, community and corporate trusts and foundations. The trick is knowing how to set yourself up for success.

As grants are such a valuable resource, you need to ensure that you use your time wisely and that the fit is right between the project for which you want funds and the grants program funding parameters.

This plain speaking presentation by experienced professional fundraiser, Kathy Davis, will provide a thorough and understandable introduction to making grant applications. It will equip you to develop a grants program for your not-for-profit organisation, to improve your grant writing and give you the potential to reach your grants target, even if your organisation has set targets that may seem unreachable.

Key learning outcomes: 

  • A glossary of terms
  • The funder selection process – making the right match
  • Different grant writing styles for government, philanthropic, community and corporate trusts and foundations
  • What generally won’t be funded through grants
  • Characteristics of a good grant application – what assessors look for
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Strategies to increase your application success rate
  • Planning and keeping track
  • The most effective grant program tools
  • If you get a decline notification - the next steps
  • If you are successful - responsibilities to the funder
  • Links to resources including checklist and templates

About the presenter - Kathy Davis

Kathy Davis has 30 years of media, marketing and business development experience. She has a Graduate Certificate in Business (Philanthropy & Nonprofit Studies) from QUT, and was for many years a Certified Fund Raising Executive, and Executive Member of the Fundraising Institute Australia. She is a nonprofit specialist, and has worked for and consulted to many charities. Kathy was a freelance grants assessor for ANZ Trustees, inaugural Executive Director, Queensland Community Foundation, Queensland Manager, Artsupport Australia, and Head of Donor Development, Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. Her most recent role before resuming consulting was Director of Fundraising for a not-for-profit providing early intervention for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kathy has both written and assessed many grant applications and provides advice to not-for-profits on increasing their income from grants.