TO MATCH OR NOT TO MATCH THAT IS THE QUESTION

So, you have a nice healthy organization that has been good at putting money by for a rainy day. Your board has shown constraint, you've shown constraint, and now your organization has a nice nest egg to tide you over a couple of rough spots.

And then you want to apply for a grant because you need the money to start a new project.

And you're worried. You're worried that Foundation Y is going to take one look at your finances and scoff. That they are going think you don't need the money.

And then again........

So what are they really thinking?

They might just well look at your finances and have another reaction. They might just as easily take a look and think:

"this is an organization that knows how to manage it's finances;" "this is an organization that isn't constantly running in the red and in need of cash infusions;" "this is an organization that clearly just needs help to get this great project off the ground and they understand how to keep a project/organization healthy;" "this is an organization that would present us with well-thought out plans and projects that can and will be self-sustaining;" "this is an organization that is not going to come back to us year after year asking us to keep them afloat;" "we like this organization."

So, if your organization is financially sound, great. Keep it that way. Don't think that just because your books are in the black and that you have an operating reserve that you cannot win grant funding.

And then you wonder if you should put some money towards the project as match.

You don't have to be poverty-stricken to get a grant

The bottom line is that no funder wants to give you your last grant. They want to know that your organization will grow and thrive and that the seed that they plant will be nourished and thrive under the protection of the organization's canopy.

So, back to the original question. You have a sound balance sheet, should you put up some of your money as cash match for the grant.

Yes.

And no, they won't expect you to turn you put your organization in jeopardy by dipping into your operating reserve to fund the entire project. They don't want to fund starving orphans. Well, some of them do, but literally not figuratively. A smart funder, and they all are, would be delighted to see you put up some funding in the form of match and seek the remainder come from individuals and grants. They know that long-term growth comes from your ability to reach out successfully to a variety of funders.

So, go hither and multiply.

Data Digging: COUNTY SURVEY DATA

Need county level data?

If you work in or for a rural area you often need county level data rather than City or State level. The National Association of Counties' online library contains a nice array of comparative survey data about best practices and current state of field.

www.naco.org

The site includes a database of County Model programs that have been given Achievement Awards for innovation and creativity.

There are also opinion and data surveys on county finance, administration and services.

Happy Data Digging!

If you aren't yet a subscriber of my Ezine, click here to sign up.