Nonprofit Grant Readiness Checklist

35 items across five categories: administrative basics, organization essentials, documents, financials, and project specifics. Use it to see where your organization stands before you apply for a grant.

Two ways to use it: download the free PDF and work through it on your own, or fill it in online and I'll personally review your answers.

Download the checklist

A clean, branded, printable PDF of all 35 items, grouped by category. Free, no email required.

Download the checklist (PDF)

Have Margot review yours

Work through the items at whatever pace suits you, and send me your answers when you're ready. I read every submission personally and follow up with you directly. Enter your email and we'll get started.

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Certain funders may request more or slightly different information. This isn't meant as a complete list, but as guidance toward being as ready as possible.

Answer these as honestly as you can. Gaps are normal, and finding them now is the whole point.

Administrative

1. Organization Name
2. Grant Contact Person
3. Authorized Signer
4. Address
5. Phone Number
6. Email Address
7. Website
8. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
9. Certificate of Insurance
10. SAM.gov / UEI Registration (federal applications only)
11. State Charitable Registration

Organization Essentials

12. Mission
13. Vision
14. Summary/History
15. Services Offered
16. Geographic Service Area

Documents

17. IRS Determination Letter
18. 990s (most recent filings)
19. Organizational Chart
20. Board of Directors List
21. Strategic Plan (or Business Plan)
22. By-Laws
23. Conflict of Interest Policy
24. Letters of Support / MOUs

Not all grants require these; check individual grant requirements before assuming you need them.

Financials

25. Profit & Loss Statement (most recent fiscal year)
26. Fiscal Year Budget (current year)
27. Balance Sheet
28. Audited Financials
29. Indirect Cost Rate

The rate your organization uses to charge overhead and administrative costs against grant funding. If you have a federally negotiated cost rate, make sure you have that documentation. If not, that's fine. You can use the standard indirect rate.

Project Specific

30. Goals and objectives
31. Detailed program description
32. Staffing plan
33. Impact and outcomes
34. Key partnerships
35. Project-specific budget (separate from your overall operating budget)

Need help building one? Contact us about Organizational Design

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Ready to Talk About a Grant?

Once you've worked through the checklist, we can talk about a specific grant or project. We respond within one business day.

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