Getting a share of $10 billion
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) recently held a session on ‘How to Win the Most Grants Possible for your Community Organisation’
Patrick Moriarty
Jo Silver, organizer and project manager for the JCCV, said time and resource produced constraints for many small organisations in applying for grants. However she added: “Given $10 billion dollars of philanthropy and government grants are distributed annually, can we afford not to make time to tap into this rich resource?
Patrick Moriarty, Director of Training and Development at Our Community and a highly skilled facilitator and expert on grants and the Jewish community, presented the session. He was joined by Andrew Blode, CEO of the Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation, who spoke about the Jewish Funders and how the participants could capitilise on funding opportunities.
Silver outlined some of the pointers from the morning’s session.
– Pick up the phone and call the grant giver. They are more likely to give to people and projects with whom they are familiar.
– Jewish philanthropy is all about relationships and whom you know.
– 95% of grants are sent in the 11th hour – get in at least a week early so your grant will be read with interest and give you a chance to ring and make changes.
– Get a ‘scout’ to look for suitable grants, and then get a good writer to apply.
– Be sure to cover why you need the grant – not what the grant is. Include evidence, testimonials, stats, research, photos and trends.
– Partnerships are given preference so pull in others who could benefit especially if you need DGR.
– List the full cost of the program including corporate partnerships (in kind work), volunteer and admin time and any previous successes so you are considered a ‘safe bet’.
– Say thanks – whether you were successful or not. The granters will remember when you next apply.
Learning the ropes
As the peak body, the JCCV offers this ongoing service to affiliate and Jewish communal organisations, as professional development and networking to link and share knowledge and resources.
Over 25 people representing twenty Jewish community organisations attend, including synagogues, schools, charities and community groups
David Marlow, executive director of The Jewish Community Council of Victoria said: “The seminar was seen as practical and useful, providing ideas and tools that could be used immediately.”
To be included in the professional networking or to suggest a topic to be discussed, contact Jo Silver on 9272 5642.
The next sessions are on ‘policy and practice to keep our children safe’ and ‘media releases that get attention.’
