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Grants & Funding Tips

Best Practices for Grant Applications

Finding funds for your church’s next big project can be an intimidating process. The good news is that there are plenty of grant opportunities out there for those who have the patience and time to seek them out. And, there is help available within the Rocky Mountain Conference. RMC Board Member and New Ministries representative, Eleanor Downey is available for consultations via Zoom to help you find the grant that’s right for your church and your project. Plus, there are several folks in the RMC who have experience writing successful grant applications and are willing to assist others with this process.

Even so, it takes time, effort, and persistence to locate funding sources, contact funders, and write successful grants. Here are some tips to help you to keep in mind as your research, evaluate, and apply for grants.

Searching for Grants

  • Public libraries can be a helpful resource for locating grants. Some even have a reference librarian who will work with you and assist with the research process. Visit your local library today to talk with a librarian or visit your local library’s website to learn more about the kinds of resources they can offer. Libraries that are part of a nearby community college or university might also be able to help with your research.
  • Consult your local Chamber of Commerce, or search the Internet for local foundations. Many cities have local foundations that exist to offer support to non-profit initiatives like yours (a few examples are the Larimer County Foundation, Salt Lake City Foundations, Weld County Trust, and Longmont Community Foundation). Visit your local Chamber of Commerce website to see if they can help. 
  • Talk to your congregation. The answer to your grant quest may be closer than you think! You might have members who are already members of organizations or foundations that might offer funding and grants.
  • Consult Eleanor’s ever-evolving list of funders and foundations, which you can view via this link.
  • If you’re looking for internal funding opportunities that are just for RMC congregations, we invite you to learn more about our annual “In the Mud” Community Engagements grants (which are open every July) and the Tributary Fund (currently on pause for the 2025-2026 fiscal year). Please click here to learn about “In the Mud” and click here for Tributary information.

Evaluating Grant Options

Once you find a grant that might be a good fit for your project, consider taking these steps before you begin writing your application:

  • Contact the funder. Some organizations may have a designated grants manager, who is available to answer your questions. Reaching out to the grants manager can help you build a relationship with the organization before you submit your application.
  • Take time to explore the funder’s website. Make sure you’re familiar with their mission and purpose. See if you can find out which organizations, initiatives, or projects they’ve funded in the past. This information can help you determine if this funder will be a good fit for your project, and if they are likely to respond positively to your grant application. Learning more about the organization can also help you tailor your application to the funder’s mission and objectives.
  • Feeling confused by the terminology of grants and funding? Please consult this glossary of grant terms.

Writing Your Grant

Ready to start writing your application? Keep these best practices in mind as you write:

  • Read the directions! It never hurts to read and re-read the application instructions.
  • Use some of the funder’s vocabulary to talk about the project you want to fund. This helps the funder see how your proposed project aligns with their values and objectives.
  • Emphasize the link between your project and the funder’s vision or mission.
  • Once you complete your application, read the directions one more time to make sure you’ve followed them to the letter.
  • Ask other individuals in your organization to review the final grant proposal.
  • Save your application in your records. Even if this particular grant application doesn’t get funded, the material you’ve written might be useful for other grant applications in the future. You can always improve this proposal for future grant cycles from this funder.

Still have questions about grants and funding? We invite you to reach out to Eleanor Downey, the Grants & New Ministries Mentorship representative on the RMC’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors. You can contact her at epdowney@live.com