Your group may qualify for grants that cannot be used for expenses related to running the operation of your community center on a day to day basis
. Funds secured for a specific purpose must be spent on the specified project and nothing else. If you are interested in starting up a new children's ministry for at-risk children, there may be grants available for needs like this. The money can also help you start a worthwhile program in your area.
Church grants are helpful if you handle them in a proper way. Some church members or volunteers may have big plans for grant money, especially if your group was in need of money before you received the grant. Be sure that the people who work within your program understand funds are for specific purposes and only to be spent for the programs that were specified when you applied for the grant.
Some non-profit groups don't consider the idea of using charitable grants as a way to help in funding their ministries. Some local parishes in your area don't accept money from outside sources or the government because there are often strings attached. Other churches and non-profit groups may not be aware of all the grant opportunities available to them.
Churches and non-profit groups who apply for government grants should begin as soon as a need is realized. Grant development is a long term endeavor that takes time, patience, organization and persistence. It can take up to six weeks to get all the information together that you will need to apply. Grant-writing consulting companies can help your group or parish to apply for grants. They will have lots of tips that may help you to be awarded with more grants to help people in your community.