DEVELOPING A CREDIBILITY FILE

Most grants, from Foundation to Corporation to Government, require some basic organizational and programmatic information. Before you start to search for funding, concurrent with your discussions with Program staff or potential organizational applications, develop a credibility file. This file will contain basic, must-have information for your completed grant proposal (regardless of the subject or the funder).

Organizational Information:

• Copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3)
• Copy of the organization’s most recent letter from the NM Attorney General, Registrar of Charitable Organizations
• Copy of the organization’s most recent annual financial statement (audited if available)
• Copy of the organization’s current operating budget including year-to-date information
• List of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the organization including their professional affiliations
• Organizational chart including all managerial staff
• Detailed list of the organization’s current fund sources (and related restrictions) including all private, individual, corporate, foundation and government sources (names are not necessary for individuals
• Copy of the organization’s personnel policies including affirmative action policies (must have for many Federal grants)
• Resumes of key paid leadership

Program Specific Information:

• Copy of the program’s current fiscal year budget and multi-year budget if the program is time limited
• Resumes of key program leadership including summary information about any contractors who may be paid through the grant
• Detailed list of program’s current funding sources (with restrictions) including all private, individual, corporate, foundation and government sources (names are not necessary for individuals—they are helpful in terms of other sources)
• Updated list of all potential funders who will be contacted regarding the project
• Detailed organizational chart that shows where the program fits within the organization
• Contact names/addresses and phone numbers of any project collaborators
• Letters of thanks (from grateful program recipients)
• Letters of support from collaborators, government and community leaders, possible other funders
• Any printed material about the program (newsletters, brochures)
• Press clippings and a list of broadcast media stories about the program
• An updated list of any awards or recognition received by the program
• Copies of all agency forms related to the program including registration forms, handbooks, and course handout materials

QUESTIONS? Call the Foundation Office at (505) 883-6240 or e-mail us at foundation@albuquerquefoundation.org