New Marketing & BD Council White Paper on Effective Grant Writing Released

CUNA Councils
September 13, 2010 | COMMENTS

Grant funding can help credit unions launch and sustain innovative financial education programs, improve infrastructure to enhance member service, support staff training, and connect with member communities. With all that potential, why don't more credit unions apply for grants? For the uninitiated, the grant application process may seem complex and confusing, with a relatively low return—in short, more trouble than it's worth. A new white paper from the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, “Writing Grants Right: Extend Your Outreach—and Budget” demystifies the grant-writing process and offers practical recommendations on where to look for funding, how to cultivate relationships with grant-makers, and how to craft a winning application.

The white paper offers a sampling of the wide range of projects that may be funded with grants—from designing an interactive “mini-credit union” at a hands-on museum for children to expanding the bandwidth of a branch network to offering low-rate loans for small businesses. Potential funders include government agencies and credit union and community foundations, many of which are willing to answer questions and walk organizations seeking funding through the grant application process. As Staci Zale of the Texas Credit Union Foundation notes, “There are a lot of untapped grant dollars out there. If you are daunted by the grant application process, pick up the phone when you're applying to a nonprofit organization or foundation for help. Most of them will be happy to walk you through their process.”

The white paper outlines the essential elements of a successful grant application, addresses what credit unions must do after they receive a grant, and provides practical pointers from foundation directors and credit union managers who know how to make the most of grant opportunities. Useful resources for grant writers are also provided.

CUNA Council members are entitled to complimentary copies of these and more than 200 white papers; non-members may purchase the white papers for a price of $50 per copy.

The paper is available online in the white paper section of each council site – select the “Marketing & BizDev” tab.