CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING: 
TEMPLATES AND SAMPLES

MINNESOTA COMMON GRANT APPLICATION FORM

The Minnesota Common Grant Application Form is designed to help make the grantseeking process simpler and more efficient for nonprofits. The form can help reduce the amount of time grantseekers must spend rearranging basic information from one proposal to the next to fit grantmakers’ varying application requirements.

The Minnesota Council on Foundations introduced the Common Grant Application Form in 1996 and revised it in December 2000. The form was developed based on input from MCF members and representatives from the state’s nonprofit community.

LANGUAGE REQUIRED IN ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO OBTAIN TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

If your organization is planning on applying for tax-exempt status with the IRS, you will need to use the suggested language highlighted in bold below under Article III — Purpose. Note: Sample articles provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office do not include the statement required by the IRS for approval of tax exemptions.

ARTICLE III — PURPOSE

This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

The purpose of this corporation is:

• to support and conduct non-partisan research, education, and informational activities to increase public awareness of juvenile delinquency;
• to combat crime within neighborhoods; and
• to prevent community deterioration.

Donor's Bill of Rights

GuideStar Donor's Bill of Rights
www.guidestar.org/

Unified Registration Statement

Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence

Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence are based on the fundamental values of quality, responsibility and accountability. The ten characteristic accountability principles distinguish the nonprofit sector from government and business. The 133 management practices provide specific guidelines for individual organizations to evaluate and improve their management.

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UPCOMING MCN
FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Philanthropy Leaders Breakfast Series

Dates:
Wednesday, February 14 - Alex Cirillo, 3M Foundation
Tuesday, March 27 - Lisa Campbell and Heidi Weaver, Target Community Relations/Target Foundation
Thursday, April 12 - Kaying Hang, Otto Bremer Foundation
Wednesday, May 23 - Sandra Vargas, The Minneapolis Foundation Wednesday, June 13 - Dan Johnson, United Health Foundation
Time: 8:00 - 9:00 am
Location: Town and Country Club, St. Paul
Fee: $35, open to MCN members only

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Grantwriting endeavors too often drain an organization’s limited resources and end in frustration. In this workshop, participants will gain knowledge that will help them to better understand and implement a more strategic grantwriting and development process.

Dates:
Thursday, February 15
Thursday, May 17
Thursday, July 12
Thursday, November 15
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Conference Room
Fee: $85, open to MCN members only

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Preparing for Grantwriting Webinar

Participants will learn many of the basics in getting prepared for grantwriting and will leave with a better sense of how to do research on funders, how to prepare material and gear up for grantwriting. This session is designed for people who are new to grantwriting, have limited experience, or would like a basic overview of essential practices.

Dates:
Tuesday, March 20
Tuesday, June 26
Tuesday, September 11
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Location: From any online computer
Fee: $35 for MCN members/ $50 for nonmembers

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Writing Your First Grant Proposal Webinar

This Webinar will cover the overall purpose of each section of a grant proposal, suggestions for how to include a lot of information within the specified page limits, and common proposal weaknesses and how you can avoid them during this fast-paced one-hour session.

Dates:
Tuesday, March 22
Tuesday, June 28
Tuesday, September 13
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Location: From any online computer
Fee: $35 for MCN members/ $50 for nonmember

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Fundraising Brown Bag Lunch Series

If you are currently working as a development staff person in a nonprofit, you are invited to join these informal discussions and information sharing groups.

Dates: First Friday of each month
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Conference Room

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MCN FUNDRAISING PUBLICATIONS

2007 Minnesota Grants Directory

With more foundations, increased indexing, and greater levels of detail for many of the foundations included, the new edition of this popular grantseeking guide is now available.
Regular Price: $50.00
MCN Members: $25.00

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Published by Access Philanthropy, this publication provides a detailed overview of the top 100 national grantmakers that grant funds to nonprofits located in Minnesota.
Regular Price: $90.00
MCN Members: $45.00

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