How NPVAs Support Grant-Based Funding
Pursuing grant funding from foundations and other grantmakers can be a big job. Whether you hire a professional grantwriter or write grant proposals yourself, the actual writing is only part of the work. There are application dates to juggle, supplementary materials to compile, and forms to fill out. The process can be overwhelming, especially for small organizations.
A Nonprofit Virtual Assistant (NPVA) can lift much of the burden and keep your nonprofit on track throughout the granting process, from submitting your application to reporting on the grant once you've received it.
Jill, a NPVA with The More Than Giving Co., explains: “I work with the grantwriters to pull together metrics, board lists, and basic organizational information to be used in preparing the grant. I also transcribe the prepared text into online applications to save nonprofits the cost of a grantwriter doing what is really an administrative task.”
Separate Grantwriting From Administration
A good grantwriter brings a specialized skill set to your organization—telling your story in a way that appeals to funders and demonstrates how your programs match their philanthropic goals.
This is different from the work of applying for the grant, meeting deadlines, and making sure that all of the materials are provided. Many grantwriters will do all of this administrative work—at a grantwriting price. While you may find it worth it to pay for their specialized skills to write the proposal, the cost for your grantwriter doing all the work of the grant application may be too steep.
NPVAs also have a specialized skill set—helping nonprofits with their administrative needs. The More Than Giving Co.'s NPVAs are certified in nonprofit best practices and are highly trained virtual assistants, uniquely prepared to help you tackle the tasks that keep your organization running smoothly.
NPVAs don't write grants, but they can assist with all the adjacent activities, such as drafting program descriptions, doing basic background research, compiling 990s and mission statements, updating the board list, and collecting information from staff and volunteers. Once the proposal is completed by the grantwriter, an NPVA can continue the application process by proofreading and submitting the grant application online.
NPVAs Keep You in Good Standing
When you receive a grant, you're also taking on the responsibility of managing it appropriately and reporting on it accurately. Your diligence in reporting and trustworthy management of granted funds is part of what makes grantmakers want to fund you again in the future.
Many small organizations rely on volunteers and board members for fundraising. If a small organization has an executive director, they may do all the grantwriting and administration themselves. Pursuing grant funding is time-consuming, and requires a lot of attention to detail and long-term follow-through. Grantwriting and administration is usually not the best use of time for busy board members with professional obligations, or executive directors who need to focus on pursuing the organization's mission.
Working with a NPVA allows board members and executive directors to prioritize the things that only they can do, like cultivating relationships with major individual donors.
When you receive a grant, your NPVA can:
Manage the timeline of the granted project to ensure you stay on the schedule you proposed to the funder
Compile metrics to show the effectiveness of what you did
Schedule program officer visits and manage correspondence
Manage any vendors or consultants used in the granted project
Monitor project budgets and track expenditures
NPVAs Make Fundraising More Efficient
A NPVA can bring order and efficiency to your nonprofit's grant schedule year-round. By managing your calendar and staying aware of your funders' requirements, the NPVA can ensure that you don't miss out on a funding opportunity or have to scramble to get an application in on time. Instead of pursuing grants as they come up, you can plan ahead and be prepared, putting you in the best position to raise more money to fund your mission.
The granting process can be overwhelming, but with a NPVA in your corner, you can save costs, streamline applications and reporting, and still have time to focus on your mission.
Learn more about the NPVA program or schedule a free NPVA consultation.