Before You Begin:
Strategies for a Successful TPC Basic Operating Grant Application

Where to start?

• Clarify your organization’s priorities and/or the program’s needs before doing anything else.

• Know your organization’s purpose. This grant program is intended to provide unrestricted operating support. Be prepared to demonstrate the need for support and how TPC funds will benefit your organization. Requests for funds to underwrite a program, project or event should be submitted using a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant application. Organizations may NOT apply for both an Operating Grant and a PPE Grant in the same cycle.

• Requests for funding will be evaluated based on the information provided in the application. Therefore, the application should make a solid case for funding.

• If there is already a similar organization or program in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, be prepared to discuss the potential impacts in your application. Consider: Does your organization represent an expansion or duplication of services in your area? How is your organization different or better suited to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community?

Preparing your applications

• Carefully review the application guidelines and be certain that your request aligns with TPC’s vision and priorities.

• Review all application questions before beginning and decide how to use the questions to tell your organization’s story.

• Be specific and answer the questions in the application thoroughly. The application should stand on its own and include all information necessary for evaluation without a need for explanation or follow up questions.

• Identify clearly defined goals and measurements, including quantitative metrics (e.g., numbers, counts, percentages, etc.) that will be used to track progress and measure success.

• Content from past applications should only be reused when it appropriately answers an application question. Do not simply copy and paste content from past applications throughout your application.

Ensure the application is complete

The Foundation For The Carolinas provides a dashboard to help applicants plan for the information that will be required for the application and to help identify missing information. Generally, the following information is required:

Basic information on the organization:

• Mission statement

• Legal name or DBA

• Federal Tax ID number

Financial information:

• Include budget vs. actual dollars and total income and expenses for the year, including salaries and other overhead expenses whenever possible. Use the example provided below and ensure that all information is provided. Failure to provide the requested information in the proper format may result in your application being denied.

• Include a breakdown of the organization’s income sources (e.g., board contributions, member dues, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, ticket sales, etc.).

• Include an explanation for any substantial changes in income or expenses year over year and how the organization is addressing the changes.

Narrative or needs statement

Knowing the organization’s priorities or programmatic needs before beginning the application will help with this section. Describe not only why your organization is requesting support from TPC, but also how and why it aligns with TPC’s priorities.

• Be clear and succinct in your responses.

• Identify the problem to be addressed and the needs to be met with the funding. What unique service(s) would the community be deprived of if funding is not received? Provide supporting data whenever possible.

• Describe your organization’s objectives, activities, strategies, staffing, and partners.

• Consider specifying your plans for ongoing progress at the termination of the grant, particularly if operating expenses are projected to increase and/or if overall funding for the organization has or is expected to decrease. List other financing sources or strategies that are being sought or developed.

Goals and metrics

What does the organization plan to achieve? Describe the goals and overall impact of the organization, and include quantitative metrics (e.g., numbers, counts, percentages, etc.) that will be used to track progress and measure success of the organization. Be specific and minimize subjectivity wherever possible.

Attachments

• Budgets, IRS 501(c)(3) determination letters, NC Solicitation License letters, Board of Director and/or staff list, letters of support from project partners (if applicable), etc.

• Use the format of the example provided below and ensure that all information is provided. Failure to provide the requested information in the proper format may result in your application being denied. 

• Board and staff list should include the office held for board members and titles for staff members.

Template for providing financial information

Below is a sample template for providing financial information for your grant application. You are required to provide financial information for your organization in this budget vs. actual format for your two previous fiscal years and your current fiscal year (three years of information in total). You may also consider providing the projected budget for your coming fiscal year. A few tips on presenting your financials are as follows:

• Clearly label your period of performance for the budget information you are providing. Is it an entire fiscal year, or in the case of the current year, is it less than a complete year?

• Current fiscal year budget and year-to-date (YTD) actual results should include the following information: clearly labeled period of performance, income/expense category, annual budget, YTD actuals.

• Prior two fiscal years’ budget compared to actual results should include the following information: clearly labeled period of performance, income/expense categories, annual budget, year-end actuals. You may also include variance (+/-) information.

• Logically group your revenue and expense categories so that reviewers can clearly understand your income sources and expenditures.

• Do not present your financial information by month.