Why is fundraising an important part of a non-profit's income?

When a grant maker evaluates the stability of an organization applying for a grant, the non-profit's sources of income will always be an issue. If a non-profit relies exclusively on grant money, the grant maker is likely to wonder how the program will continue to function if grant money is not received. By having a diverse income base, including fundraising, a non-profit demonstrates that the program will be able to continue regardless of the outcome of any grants. In addition, fundraising programs increase community awareness of your organization, as well as increasing the level of involvement of your members and supporters.

Can you work with clients who are not local?

Yes. We are able to work with clients regardless of their location. We do ask that your organization provide us with a contact person who can be reached by phone and e-mail so that we can maintain a proper consultant/client relationship. Working with a long-distance client may require more time for preparation due to some situations such as receiving a signature on the proposal.

Can we pay for JAE Enterprises' services with the grant money that we receive?

Most grant makers do not allow grant money to be used to pay for these services. Typically, a grant request will include a detailed budget specifying for what the grant money will be used. Within a year of the grant award, most grant makers will require the recipient to submit a grant report stating that the money was used for the purposes indicated in the budget. For this reason, it is usually not possible to include grant writing fees in these requests.

Do you work on a contingency basis?

We are registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as: "Professional Fundraising Counsel" and as such are forbidden to participate in a contingency fee arrangement. While our services are billed on a per grant basis, we offer a wide array of flexible payment options to accommodate our clients needs.

How much do you charge for a grant proposal?

Depending on the complexity of the proposal, our fee ranges from $500 - $3,500. This will greatly depend on whether the application is for a federal, state, local, or private source. Package plans are available for organizations that are looking to submit multiple proposals. The funding needs of each organization will be considered when establishing a price and a package.

Can you help me get a business loan?

Yes. We have helped several small businesses and entrepreneurs with loan package preparation services. Typically, most banks will require a formal, written business plan in order to receive a loan. Our services also include the development of that business plan.

Is it the responsibility of the non-profit organization to locate funding sources to apply to?

No! We have an extensive database of funding sources that we use to locate the most appropriate funding sources for each client. In addition, we are constantly searching new sources of funding through press releases, newsletters, the Internet, and other sources. You do not need to have any knowledge of potential funding sources prior to contacting us. However, if your organization has existing sources that you want to apply, JAE Enterprises, Inc. will be happy to include that application as well.

How long does it take to prepare a grant proposal?

The length of preparation time depends on several factors. Proposals to government agencies will usually require at least a few weeks, due to the amount of information that is required. Proposals to private foundations will usually take a few days to a week to prepare, not including time for preliminary work such as locating appropriate funding sources, obtaining application guidelines, and receiving information from our client.

Can for-profit businesses receive grant money?

In general, grants are only given to non-profit organizations. However, there are some rare circumstances in which for-profit businesses may be eligible to receive a grant (if your business involves advanced research and development or technology). Even in these situations, the grant will require a detailed proposal in a very competitive evaluation process. But remember, all organizations can utilize our Fundraising Programs.

Who is eligible to receive grant money?

Any non-profit organization that has received 501(c) 3, tax-exempt status from the IRS is eligible to receive grant money. Almost all private foundations and government agencies will require applicants to provide evidence of this status at the time of the application.