Show Me The Money!  
 

The #1 method for raising money is through direct one-on-one contact; sitting down, sharing your heart/vision/calling/ministry/dreams with potential donors. The key element needed to be effective is prayer -- if you're in God's will, you can't go wrong.  You have to be a bridge builder. The majority of the folks in your community who are in a position to be able to help you in a big way don't have a clue concerning the realities that you and your teens face on a day-to-day basis. And... no one can help them understand better than you!

If you have the time, resources, manpower, and organizational skills to pursue grants, following are some helpful links. Whatever you do, don't send form letters. Follow each foundation's guidelines carefully and don't give them any more or any less than what they are asking for!
The ideal set up is to to find a volunteer to do grant writing and research for you. You'd be surprised how many people you can find, with a little effort, to take care of this area for you! Remember, not everyone is called to work with young people, BUT... A LOT of people with a lot of different skills are deeply moved by what you are doing and want to use their skills to help in some way.

Pray, pray, and pray some more -- God will send the people and resources you need if you are faithful!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Government Funding Sources
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Corporation for National & Community Service
Department of Education
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
-- HHS Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
HUD (Dept. of Housing & Urban Development)
-- HUD Faith-Based & Community Initiatives
Department of Justice
Department of Labor (DOL)
-- DOL Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
U.S. Nonprofit Gateway
White House Office for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives
AfterSchool.Gov

Information About Foundations
Grantsmart
The Foundation Center
-- Finding Funders
-- RFP Bulletin
Guidestar

Information About Corporations
Corporate Information
Free EDGAR
Hoover's Online

Prospect Research
The Foundation Center
Internet Prospector
Prospect Research Page
Grant Station Insider

Grant Proposals
Elements of a Grant Proposal
The Grantsmanship Center
GrantSelect
User-Friendly Guide to Funding Research & Resources
Proposal Budgeting Basics
Proposal Writing Short Course
Grantionary
GrantsAlert 
GrantWritingTips                                                                                                         Grants                                               
Grant Funds

Nonprofit Management and Volunteerism
USA Freedom Corps
Alliance for Nonprofit Management
InnoNet
The Learning Institute
Building Effective Nonprofit Boards
Support Center Nonprofit Genie

Christian Philanthropy
GenerousGiving.org
ArtfulAskers.com

Other
Network for Good
Just Give

Fundraising Products
FundRaiser Programs
Pizza Cards
Results Cards
The Candy Lady & Co.
Jesus Is A Rebel T-Shirts

Ask, Seek, Knock
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 7:7-12