Applying For A $1.43 Million Grant!
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Nov 6, 2009 5:20 am
Mood: Excited!,
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God is so awesome about preparing us for what He has called us to do. Being in business for over 20 years, I've always dealt strictly with for-profit corporations. But, in the year 2000, God sent me a non-profit organization to do payroll and taxes for. I didn't know the first thing about non-profits, so I had to spend hours researching all of the implications. Then, He gave me another and another. By the time I started my ministry, in 2005, I was experienced with being able to administer a non-profit. That's what you call on-the-job training, lol.
When I first set it up, I had no clue as to how to set up a 501(c)3 organization. But, the Holy Spirit led me through every question on the 50-page application to the IRS, provided us with the $500 filing fee, and we received our non-profit status well ahead of the anticipated time frame. Little did I know that my education would continue.
Next, my Board asked me to begin to apply for grants, for funding we so desperately needed. Well, I had no experience writing grants! But, after considerable prayer and research, I was awarded my first grant of $25,000. So, I wrote another for $60,000 and got it. The next year I applied for another for $68,000 and got it. This year, I applied for one for $20,000 and we just received the check last week. Isn't God amazing?
Yesterday, my Director showed me a grant available from the US Homeless Coalition for $1.43 million, and asked me to apply. All of a sudden, I felt intimidated and less than confident. I suggested we consult with a professional grant writer, after all, the stakes were so high and what if I didn't get it right? The "what if's" continued to bombard my thinking. What if I didn't file it correctly, what if I left out pertinent information, what if I wasn't eloquent enough, what if, what if?
In a quiet, but assured voice, my Director said to me, "Terrie, God has been with you and this organization from the beginning. He has led us and guided us through the doors He wanted us to walk through, He has taught us all the things we didn't know, and He has given us favor with all people. What would make you think He'd fail us now?"
I'll be applying for that grant and God willing, we'll get a piece of that pie to help the women in our program. I remember the wise words of a preacher I like, she says, "What God orders, He pays for" and that certainly has been the case in my experience. And what you don't know how to do, He'll give you on-the-job training, because He knows ALL things you'll have need of. I will praise His Name forever!
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