I was in my garage, rushing to work when my cell phone rang: “This is Bill Zinsser—did you call me?” Yes I had. In that moment I’d have dropped the phone on the cement if I’d not been clutching it so tightly at the sound of his name. I stood transfixed.
A social enterprise is an organization or program that sells goods and services to advance its mission. Examples include thrift stores, training, publishing, product sales, and consulting. Social enterprise activities may be occasional and informal, such as bake sales and car washes, or they can be on-going businesses. Some well-known examples include Goodwill, SCORE, Open Book Publishers, Girl Scout cookies, and the Natural History Museum gift store.
We often hear grantseekers say they aren’t sure whether their organization is eligible for federal grants. The federal government makes thousands of grant awards annually to many types of organizations, and even to some individuals. Don’t write off this important funding source until you’ve examined the possibilities. Here are a few thoughts to consider.
Beginning in 2015, organizations that expend more than $750,000 in federal funding in any fiscal year will be required to retain an independent auditor to perform a Single Audit. Previously, $500,000 in federal expenditures triggered the Single Audit requirement. While the new threshold is a bit higher, federal funds in the form of grants, pass-through dollars, contracts, and loans add up quickly so be sure you’re ready. This brief primer explains how to select a qualified auditor and provides a simple check-list to guide your selection process.
Dashing off a grant proposal to meet a deadline is sometimes unavoidable, but it’s not enough to just ‘get it done’ and ‘get it in.’ Planning ahead and taking the time to craft a polished proposal is a must for winning grants.
