Sample Grant Proposal

Many of you have asked for information on writing for a grant to help support your DC4K program. This article will assist you in your mission of finding funding for DC4K at your church.
by Linda Ranson Jacobs for grants is an excellent way to Writing help fund your DC4K program. This

Program Overview
Introduction Children of divorce are the new paradigm in classrooms, churches and social programs around the world. They have been increasing in number since the 70s, and society in general has grossly neglected this segment of population worldwide. They do not have the same economic or human resources available as those children growing up in two-parent homes. They join the ranks of a huge and rapidly growing population: children and teenagers wounded by the breakup of their families. They are thrown into the category of disadvantaged children and youth. Researchers are just now becoming aware of the long-term effects of trauma caused by the breakup of the family. Children in divorced homes become so emotionally overwhelmed that it affects their social and emotional development for years to come. They are at increased risk for a low measure of academic achievement. Some children lose an entire school year and will repeat a grade or drop out of school altogether, escalating the spiraling economic downfall into poverty. Most children never completely overcome the trauma of living through a family breakup.

article includes helpful hints along with a sample grant proposal. Feel free to adapt the sample proposal to meet your needs and qualifications. Helpful Hints

Contact the foundation or group you want

to approach. Find out what the qualifying factors are, such as an introduction letter, an application form, etc. Build a relationship with the foundation/ organization and the contact person assigned to you. Write the proposal using their guidelines, language and terminology. Be sure to adhere to their deadlines. Depending on the foundation, you may want to insert the amount you are requesting; some foundations request that information along with other financial information on a form they will provide for you.

------------Sample Grant Proposal------------Name of your church/school DivorceCare for Kids www.dc4k.org

Their odds of getting a divorce are

doubled.

 They are more likely to have behavioral

issues in school. They are more likely to grow up in poverty, deprived of many opportunities. They will have more health problems that will follow them into adulthood. They are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs. They are more likely to get pregnant as teens. Their risk of committing suicide is much greater. They are much more likely to be arrested for committing a crime.

difficulty establishing gratifying and lasting relationships; fears of betrayal, loss and rejection; low self-esteem; emotional difficulties; and a legacy of divorce when they become adults. This is an opportunity to assist in the development of a comprehensive program, where long-term welfare for children of divorce is considered, to help children overcome obstacles to complete participation in society as they become adults and to ensure that these children are introduced to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Need Childrens divorce programs are a major need, and few effective resources are available. Several times a week Church Initiative, the organization that developed and produced DC4K, receives calls and emails from churches, community leaders, childrens leaders and parents asking for help in starting weekly divorce recovery programs for children. The Annie E. Casey Foundation (www.aecf.org) alerts us to the fact that 27.9 percent of children today live in a single parent family. Nearly a million children per year experience their parents divorce (http://www.divorcereform.org/stats.html). The numbers are astounding. Unfortunately, unless we minister to these children now, the numbers will only multiply in future generations. Program Description DC4K is a comprehensive 13-week program providing information via videos, games, stories and CDs with emphasis on Christ, life skills and recuperation from the devastating effects of divorce. It is designed for children 5 through 12 years of age. A training video for lay leaders and volunteers along with a Leaders Guide accompanies each kit. Suggestions are made for healthy snacks. Also included in the DC4K kit are publicity

The effects of divorce will follow these children well into their adult years, affecting future relationships as well as their parenting skills. They are less likely to contribute to society in a meaningful manner when they become young adults. Many of these children leave the church as adults never to return. DC4K is the channel for long-term universal change that will impact children and bring them back to the Lord and to Gods people, the church. Purpose of the Request Society must take an active role and embrace the child of divorce if children of today are to become successful adults of tomorrow. It is time to develop a vehicle for systemic changes that are consistent across countries and over time. There is no justification for denying any child in our area reasonable access to healthy emotional welfare and development, especially the child of divorce. By supporting DC4K, [name of church/school and other community agencies] will be ministering and helping children overcome barriers to full participation in society. Children of divorce are often denied access to fully participate in society due to poverty;

materials and ideas. The program is normally offered in churches that have volunteers who love the Lord available to support these children. DC4K can be presented in local schools and other places as long as a local church sponsors it. We are proposing using a local school [or name of school] in collaboration with [name of church]. By partnering the local school with the local church, many hurting children will be benefited by this program. Population/Community Served Children 5 through 12 years of age who have experienced or are experiencing the divorce of their parents will be served by this project. Another segment of our population that will benefit from DC4K are stepchildren. Children living in blended families are also experiencing negative child outcomes at about the same rate as children in single parent families (Annie E. Casey Foundation research). Expected Outcomes

A legacy of children helped to lead

healthy, productive lives through the DC4K program. Promoting Systemic Change DC4K will have a fundamental effect on many of the problems children of divorce face today. Children whose futures are peppered with the prospect of greater drug and alcohol use, along with other behavioral issues, will be introduced to alternate options available to them. They will be taught how to make wise decisions that have positive consequences. Children in single parent homes will become acquainted with techniques to help them overcome the depression, anger and loss of self-esteem that comes with processing a trauma. All of these techniques will serve to give children a basic foundation that will allow them the opportunity to live healthy functional lives today and be able to contribute to society when they become young adults. We can continue to ignore the negative consequences divorce is having on the health of our society and in our churches, or we can act to prevent the loss of another generation of children. Research shows divorce is a selfperpetuating cycle. This cycle must be stopped for our society to survive and for the children of divorce to succeed. DC4K will equip [church] and [school] with the strategy, tools and materials needed to start and maintain effective ministry to the children of divorce. The trauma of divorce can be reversed, and it can be accomplished in neighborhoods right here in [name of city or county].

Creation of a comprehensive childrens

divorce curriculum, known as DC4K or DivorceCare for Kids, a support program for use in [school name] sponsored by [name of church] by [date]. Rapid deployment of publicity campaign by [date]. A self-perpetuating citywide childrens divorce project to aid hundreds of children in our city ages 5 through 12, who are deeply affected by divorce. The awareness level of local businesses, community organizations, schools and churches raised to the point of understanding and an extension of support for children in divorced situations.

About the Organization That Developed DivorceCare for Kids Church Initiative is a nondenominational, taxexempt organization. It began in 1993 as DivorceCare. The original purpose was to equip churches with tools and resources for long-term recovery from the pain of divorce. The DivorceCare resources were well received, and soon faith-based communities recognized the need for similarly structured curriculum dealing with other life crisis topics, inspiring the transformation into what is now Church Initiative. Currently Church Initiative has DivorceCare in all 50 states and nearly 20 other countries and territories, including Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Germany, Guam, Italy, Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and West Indies. Submitted by Name of your church Church address City, state and zip Your name Your title Email: Contact phone # Written by Linda Ranson Jacobs DC4K Executive Director Church Initiative Email: info@dc4k.org
---------------------Linda Ranson Jacobs is the author and developer of the DivorceCare for Kids materials. She also wrote and was awarded several grants to fund the development of the DC4K materials. MMV by the author and/or Church Initiative. All rights reserved. Reproducible only when used with a Church Initiative ministry program. For more information, email info@dc4k.org. To discover more about DivorceCare for Kids or to find a DC4K group near you, go to www.dc4k.org.