Faith-based and community organizations play a vital role in our nation’s social service network, yet these nonprofit groups are often unaware of the many resources available to them. This guide provides valuable and practical information, including how to apply for federal funding and how to increase organizational capacity and efficiency. The guide is categorized by topic and includes websites relevant to each section.
Identifying Potential Sources of Funding
- Apply for federal grants
- Federal programs
Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in federal grants. The online Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance provides access to a database of Federal programs and resources to assist in developing and writing grant proposals.
Engaging Private Partners
- Build private partnerships
Maximizing Program Services through Private Sector Partnerships and Relationships: A Guide for Faith and Community-Based Service Providers details the process by which organizations can build private sector partnerships.
Utilizing Volunteers in Your Organization
- Advertise for volunteers
Utilize federal volunteering organizations Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing is designed for community groups and faith-based organizations seeking to maximize the skills of their volunteers, expand their services to the community, and enhance their effectiveness. National Service: A Resource for Faith-Based and Community Groups explains how the Corporation for National and Community Service and Learn and Serve America work with grassroots organizations and the resources available to those groups. Post your organization's volunteer opportunities or nominate a member of your organization for the President’s Volunteer service award at www.volunteer.gov.
Strengthening Organizational Capacity
- Best practices guides
- Grant management
- Build a sustainable organization
The Breakthrough Performance - Ten Emerging Practices of Leading Intermediaries guidebook provides detailed analysis of practices which lead to effective intermediary performance. Topics include building partnerships, designing programs, community assessment, performance management, and more.
The Capacity Building Guidebooks series provides practical information on a variety of topics of interest to nonprofit organizations, including grant acquisition and management, best practices, establishing partnerships, outcomes management, revenue sources, and technical assistance. The Sustainability Toolkit is designed to help grassroots community and faith-based organizations develop sustainable organizations and program services. The toolkit provides helpful information to guide sustainability planning efforts, samples of tools, and actual fill-in the- blank “planning templates” and worksheets.
Other
- Tax Exempt Status
- Learn about community needs using the U.S. Census data
- Other Federal reports, guidebooks, and program information
The Internal Revenue Service provides a variety of information about tax compliance issues confronted by small and mid-sized tax exempt organizations, including how to apply for tax-exempt status. The United States Census Bureau is the leading source of quality data about our nation's people and economy. While the Census Bureau is not a funding agency, it does provide information needed for grant proposals.