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Nonprofit Grant Readiness and Needs Survey
SECTION 1: Basic Organizational Information
1.
Organization Name (optional)
2.
County of Operation (select all that apply)
Riverside
San Bernardino
Los Angeles
Orange
Other (please specify)
3.
Annual Operating Budget
Under $50,000
$50,000 – $99,999
$100,000 – $249,999
$250,000 – $999,999
$1 million – $4.9 million
$5 million or more
4.
What type of services does your organization provide? (Check all that apply)
Healthcare / Primary Care
Behavioral Health / Mental Health
Substance Use / Recovery Services
Housing / Homeless Services
Food Assistance / Nutrition
Services for People with Disabilities
Senior / Aging Services
Reentry Services / Justice-Involved Support
Immigrant / Refugee Services
Faith-Based Services
Early Childhood Education
K–12 Education Support
Higher Education / Postsecondary Access
Workforce Development / Job Training
Children’s Services
Youth Mentorship / After-School Programs
Advocacy / Policy Work
Community Development
Civic Engagement / Voter Education
Arts / Culture / Humanities
Environmental / Conservation
Animal Services / Rescue
Other (please specify)
None of the above
SECTION 2: Government Grant Experience
5.
Has your organization ever received a government grant?
Yes
No
6.
Has your organization ever applied for a government grant (even if not awarded)?
Yes
No
7.
If your organization has not applied for government grants, what are the reasons? (Select all that apply)
Does not apply. We have received one or more government grants (congratulations!).
We don’t have the infrastructure (e.g., staffing, systems, audit readiness)
We don’t have a grant writer or qualified staff
We are intimidated by the compliance or complexity
We’ve heard negative stories about managing government grants
We haven’t found government grants aligned with our mission
We didn’t know we were eligible
Other (please specify)
8.
Which level(s) of government awarded the grant(s)? (If applicable – check all that apply)
Federal
State
County
City/Municipal
Not sure
9.
Please list any government grants your organization has received:
SECTION 3: Foundation & Corporate Grant Experience
10.
Does your organization currently pursue foundation or corporate grants?
Yes
No
11.
Which types of funders do you pursue? (Select all that apply)
Local foundations
Regional or national foundations
Corporate giving programs
Donor-advised funds
Not sure
12.
Has your organization received any private grants in the past 3 years?
Yes
No
Not sure
13.
How would you rate your current capacity to pursue private grants?
Strong – we apply often and are successful
Moderate – we apply occasionally with mixed results
Limited – we rarely apply due to time or skill gaps
None – we don’t pursue these grants
SECTION 4: Grant Writing Staff & Infrastructure
14.
Do you have a grant writer on staff?
Yes, full-time
Yes, part-time
No
15.
Do you work with a grant writing consultant or contractor?
Yes, regularly
Yes, occasionally
No
16.
If you do not have a staff grant writer, why not? (Select all that apply)
Does not apply. We have a staff grant writer.
Cannot afford to hire one
Cannot find qualified candidates
Rely on executive staff or other team members
Use a consultant/contractor instead
Don’t apply for enough grants to justify the role
Unsure how to recruit or hire a grant writer
Other (please specify)
17.
How would you describe your current grant approach? (Select all that apply)
We follow a strategic grant calendar and apply proactively
We apply as opportunities arise
We rely on a partner or fiscal sponsor to manage grants
We do not currently pursue grants
SECTION 5: Interest in Grant Writing Apprenticeship Program
18.
Do you currently have someone on staff who might be interested in becoming a grant writer, or a current grant writer interested in expanding their skills?
Example: Someone focused on foundation grants who is interested in learning more about government grants.
Yes
No
Not sure
19.
Would your organization be interested in hosting a fully funded grant writing apprentice?
Yes
No
Not sure
20.
Would your organization be interested in hosting a partially funded grant writing apprentice? If "no", skip to question number 24.
Yes
No
Not sure
21.
If your organization would be interested in hosting a grant writing apprentice, what level of education would your organization feel most comfortable with when working alongside a grant writing apprentice? (Select all that apply)
Does not apply. Not interested in hosting a grant writing apprentice.
GED or High School Diploma
Some College
Associate Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
PhD or Doctorate
No preference – we value skills and motivation over formal education
Not sure
22.
If you are interested in hosting a grant writing apprentice, what could you offer the apprentice? (Select all that apply)
Desk space and supervision
Mentorship by experienced staff
Opportunities to work on live grant proposals
A learning-focused environment
Partial salary/funding
Not sure yet – interested in learning more
23.
How much time could your team commit per week to support an apprentice?
Less than 1 hour
1–3 hours
4–6 hours
7+ hours
SECTION 6: Training & Development Support
24.
What kind of support would help improve your grant capacity? (Select all that apply)
Hands-on coaching or mentoring
Templates and sample narratives
Budget development and compliance training
Technical assistance with government grants
Strategic grant planning
Foundation relationship management
I am not interested in any training
Other (please specify)
25.
Do you need broader fundraising or development support? If "no" skip to question number 27.
Yes
No
Not sure
26.
If yes, what areas are most needed? (Select all that apply)
Does not apply. We are not in need of broader fundraising or development support.
Donor engagement
Annual campaigns
Major gifts or planned giving
Board fundraising training
Hiring or training development staff
Other (please specify)
27.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your organization’s grant writing or development needs?
Your input provides valuable insight into the grant writing and development needs of nonprofit organizations across the region. This information will help shape support strategies and strengthen the nonprofit sector as a whole.