Shop around: Why AFG isn't for everyone

It’s that time again for AFG grant applications to start zooming through the Internet. And, we all know of an agency who received AFG funding for one request or another. It’s always tempting to go where you know someone had previous success. However, while there are significant opportunities to receive some of the almost 3 million dollars in available AFG funding, that one program isn’t the panacea for every kind of grant ask. 

You can make declaring, distinguishing and delivering a winning "ask" for an AFG grant an easier reality if you ask for things AFG likes to fund. AFG sees hundreds of grant applications that wander from those that meet AFG's funding priorities. Wander too far and all your hard work ends up in the circular file. First, consider if your needs fall into these more easily funded AFG priorities:

• Departments requesting to upgrade service from Basic Life Support (BLS) to Advanced Life Support (EMT-I/EMT-P)
• ALS and BLS levels of response
• Requesting equipment that brings the department into compliance with national, state, or local jurisdictional requirements
• Departments requesting new PPE for the first time
• Replacing or updating obsolete PPE to the current standard
• Replacing torn, tattered, or damaged PPE

When you’ve determined your need aligns perfectly with AFG's priorities, remember you’re one agency in thousands that feel exactly the same way. You or your grant writer can offer the most compelling and persuasive grants when you package your information in such a way that you distinguish your need particularly for your most deserving service area. You can build your persuasive argument by answering the following questions:

• What special needs will your agency fill when it evolves from a BLS to an ALS operation, i.e., demographic needs, adds crucial resources that only a medical helicopter can currently fill, etc.?
• What specific legal or patient care risks does your agency present its employees and the public when it continues to operate out of compliance with national, state or local requirements, i.e., injury, exposure to disease or hazardous substances, financial penalties etc.?
• What new or unique exposures or liabilities do your EMS personnel experience when they do not have PPE at all; when they need to update old, damaged or obsolete PPE, i.e., cross contamination, injury, illness, HAZMAT exposure, etc.?

If you find yourself in need of products, equipment or training that AFG is less likely to fund; shop around.

Private funds and foundations and charities may have more affinity for funding EMS than you might imagine.  The only caution is to remember when you seek private or foundation money, your agency is just another fish in the fund asking pond of thousands of others and other species. 

From GuideStar.com, a clearing house for non-profit information and analysis, they quote the Center for Civil Society Studies at Johns Hopkins University, saying there are "more than 70 million people work and volunteer in the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit employees make up the third-largest workforce among U.S. industries, behind only retail and manufacturing, and nonprofits create total revenue of more than 1.9 trillion annually, exceeding the total GDP of Canada, Australia, Russia, or India."

When seeking funding from private funds and foundations, qualify your information. Make sure you communicate how funding your "ask" will make the world (or at least the small corner you serve) a better place. Quantify the tangible benefits of receiving the funds. Ensure your potential grantor knows how funding your organization will save lives, protect employees' and patients' safety or at the very least how it will better improve the quality of life for those you serve. Don’t forget to mention how you will recognize the foundation or share credit for saving lives. Then, when you get the money, make good on those promises.