KaBOOM! often facilitates offering challenge grants. When applying for a challenge grant, there are some common pitfalls that you can avoid. Keep these do's and don'ts in mind when filling out your application to increase your chances of receiving a challenge grant:
Do:
- Attend a KaBOOM! training! You can learn everything you need to know about the community-build model, vendor and site selection, and fundraising at a KaBOOM! training. Check out the dates and locations of upcoming web and in-person training events. Information you gain at KaBOOM! training events will help you run a smooth project and build a new great place to play!
- Take a careful look at the application for list of all required documents. Be sure your application includes ALL of these documents and complete answers to ALL questions.
- Set a project completion date. As you will learn at a KaBOOM! training, setting a firm completion date and working backwards from that date improves your chance of success.
- Provide a detailed and complete fundraising plan. The review committee takes a very careful look at each applicant's fundraising plan to ensure that the applicant has the capacity to raise the necessary funds. Be sure to describe past successes and realistic future plans.
Don't:
- Forget to provide examples of how you are using the Community-Build Model. Use of the Community-Build Model is central to our grant programs. Provide concrete examples to demonstrate your exceptional use of this model.
- Send letters of support from people not directly related to your project. The review committee wants to see that you have a solid planning committee invested in your project, so have members of your planning committee write letters expressing their dedication to the project.
- Request more funding than available.
- Send an application by e-mail or fax. Please send all applications by mail, so that the application will be received by KaBOOM! by the deadline.
Keep these tips in mind and you could be one grant closer to building a new great place toplay!
Good luck!