In-Class Journal (1/14/25)

What I am looking to get out of this class is to be able to learn how to properly create a grant proposal. The reason I want to learn more about grants is because I have always had an interest in them and being able to take this course seemed perfect for me to learn more about them in depth. In my future I would like to work with non profit organizations in some way and being able to have this skill I believe will help me be of more value. Some of the non profits I have been interested in are habitat for humanity as well as st. judes and the Jimmy fund. These are some of the non profits I have been interested in because they are causes that I support. In the future I would like to find smaller ones that are similar to these to be able to assist with creating grants. I hope to get out of this class more knowledge of what it takes to create grants.

Journal #2 (1/20/25)

One thing I found interesting was the different types of grants I never knew there were multiple. I had always thought a grant was a grant. Learning about the different types of grants is important because you need to know what you’re submitting for. (Operating, program, capacity building, capital of equipment, research, program related investments) I found this the most interesting mainly because of lack of knowledge towards the different types. I think it is beneficial for me to know because being able to understand what grant I would be applying for helps me be able to tailor what needs to be in the proposal. Another thing I found interesting was how a lot of grants are based on relationships. I found this interesting because it’s more of just submitting the grant and actually creating a relationship with who is sponsoring the grant. This goes to show relationship building is important in all fields of life and it really is all about who you know and the connections you have built. These are both important because you have to know what type of grant you are submitting for as well as being able to have that connection to help you to actually get the grant.

One thing that I found interesting was that you have to claim grants with the IRS unless they are gift donations. I found this interesting because I was really unsure how that would work. It was good to find out this information because I would need to know it for the future if I end up having to write grants. Another thing I found interesting was the refined aspect. I found this interesting because you need to make sure that the grant you are submitting for is one that you could have a really good chance to get. This is important because submitting to random grants all the time could be a bad look if you don’t even know what the grant is for. I have seen that some grants are tailored specifically for certain things so that not all nonprofits are able to submit for them. Being able to refine your list is important because you should be able to know what you are submitting for.