Every small agency in the United States seems to struggle with funding. In my former days as police chief of a small municipality, I tried to find new and unique ways to get the equipment we could not afford. I always thought, how will I keep up with industry standards when we are not one of the big agencies setting those standards? How can my budget allow me to have the same tools as some of the larger departments? Finally, how can I compete with their level of service? I concluded that I would search for a grant.

Strategic Planning

Many agencies spend seemingly endless hours pursuing funding for new equipment. Instead of making a strategic plan for needed items, they see a grant come open and apply for the new “shiny penny.”

However, it is imperative that you develop long-term strategies to address problematic gaps. This is the key to acquiring funding to meet these outcomes. Identify problems that plague your agency, and you more likely will have the support you need to traverse through grant funding.

Realistic Budgeting

Sometimes when you are not realistic with funding streams, you tend to load up your budget. The idea of an open checkbook often inspires a person to find the best of the best. However, you tend to lose the ability to get more for your money. Instead of going with one super expensive item, you may maximize your budget by having a higher quantity of something less costly.

I remember one grant years ago where a police chief asked for an expensive siren box. His officers did not have any such equipment. They simply wanted this new shiny toy. A few grants later, an agency asked for four siren boxes at the same price as one. This type of request will more likely gain approval.

Many of the state funding sources have limited funds to spread out between hundreds of agencies. The idea of “more for your money” sometimes shows the reviewer you need the equipment and are fiscally responsible.

Intersectional Funding

An intersectional approach allows your organization to consider ways in which its funding intersects with other agencies’ susceptibilities. As grant makers, we often take a narrow, self-focused approach to our designs. However, we more likely will obtain funding that benefits more than just our department.

For instance, I can find a grant that provides equipment to fund training for my agency, and I may acquire it. But if I apply for this same grant and show that other departments will also benefit, I am more likely to get it.

Partnership Building

The benefit to an intersectional funding approach is that you must align yourself with other partners, thus building new and exciting relationships. As a grant writer, I strive to gain the support of private, public, and government organizations.

I want to benefit as many others as possible. Not only am I fulfilling my department’s needs, but I am also addressing those of regional partners. In turn, this builds new streams of information and avenues for future grants. Opening these lines of communication is imperative in finding new relationships and starting programs that impact more than just my agency.

Conclusion

It is important you watch trends and take a strategic view on planning for these grants. Although trying for a grant is always a great idea, be realistic for what you apply for. Many times, a reviewer is from the industry you are, and they see large funding requests as wasteful spending.

Always use some intersectional views when trying to find funding. Remember, things that benefit the masses will more likely be funded. Finally, build partnerships with the stakeholders in the grant. This way, you will always have gracious support when pushing for that difficult funding stream.