Comments from Cheryl Stiefel-Francis, Executive Director, Miami County Foundation, from The Grantseeker's Guide to Winning Proposals:

The grant application was submitted in an organized manner with all the required documents. The writer presented a clear message about the new program, why it was created, steps for building the initiative, cited statistics relevant to our communities, identified a timeline that noted current progress and next steps, cited outcomes from other communities operating the same program, and included a letter of support from a former client. By the time they applied to our Foundation, the group had already received a $50,000 challenge grant, which made a significant impact on the decision of our Grant Screening Committee and Board of Directors.

They also had already formed partnerships with other organizations in the county to take the program countywide instead of limiting the program to their one town, as was their initial plan. Another factor leading to the success of this grant award would be the relationship we have formed with the group over the past five years, providing an ongoing humanitarian grant and other program funding grants. They have publicly recognized the support of our Foundation, submitted reports on time and provided information whenever requested.