I work in the fund-raising office a large nonprofit organization. I am trying to find out how other nonprofits organize the grant writing process - who does what? Do the fund-raising professionals do all the research, rationale, writing, et al for all grant applications, OR do the staff in the departments who will receive the grant monies do the initial work and fundraising staff organize, edit and submit? Sometimes we will develop a new project in order to get grant funds - who develops the case for the new projects?

In a perfect world you would find a collaberative effort between the grant writing function and those personnel engaged in service delivery and achieving the desired outcomes. We do that as often as possible, however, with some of the very tight deadlines, the grant department will do some 'cut and paste' for smaller grants that do not have the detailed measureable outcomes to achieve.

What about Policy and Procedure regarding your needs TO and FROM the donor? For example, I struggle with some of my fundraisers who are resistent to sending a cover letter with their proposal to the prospective Funder. I've explained for over 3 years now that the auditors want to see 1) a full proposal 2) cover letter noting the amount of ask over a period of time 3) an MOU or acknowledgment letter FROM the funder with specifics of $ amount, time frame of payments as well as Program/Project the money will be spent on. Is there anywhere that I can get something officially written to force my point? Anita Hammen Senior Information Systems Compliance Officer Specialist Resource Development Group/ Development Services The Enterprise Foundation Columbia, Maryland 410.772.2466 [Email Removed]