Applying for a grant can be an overwhelming process. To make it easier for novice grant seekers to apply for and win grants funded by the Department of Education, our office has prepared a technical assistance webcast for writing a quality grant proposal. In addition, the following resources will help you get started with your application.

• Step 1: Familiarize yourself with a few common definitions.

• Step 2: Read this overview on how to apply for a grant.

• Step 3: Check out the list of grants for which faith-based and community organizations are eligible. See if there is a match between your organization's interest and abilities and the available programs.

• Step 4: Plan ahead. Usually there is a very short time period from the time a grant application package is made available until the date grant applications must be submitted (typically 45 days). It is difficult for inexperienced applicants to make an organizational assessment and put together a quality application in this short time period. The grant cycle is an annual process. You may want to use this particular year's grant application cycle as a dry run for next year's competition so that you can be well prepared for next year. Insist that you receive an application package even if the deadline has passed. Use the application package to prepare for next year's competition.

• Step 5: Request a copy of the most successful grant application submitted in the last competition from the grant program in which your organization is interested. Use this as a guide, but make sure you update your application package to meet the current year's requirements. The program staff will be able to tell you what has changed from the prior year.

• Step 6: Obtain and understand the grant application package. Be certain to carefully read the instructions and follow them very carefully. If you do not understand the instructions, contact the grant staff for the particular program. It is their job to help you understand the application materials and they are glad to provide assistance. This admonition may seem obvious, but time after time promising applications are not funded because the applicant did not follow the instructions and supply the requested information.

• Step 7: If you encounter a barrier or are not receiving the assistance you need, contact the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives via email. We do not try to influence the decision-making process. However, we may be able to assist you in receiving the information and technical assistance your organization needs to compete on a level playing field. We are also very interested in hearing what type of illegitimate barriers faith-based and community organizations encounter in the grants process.