Non-Profit Human Services Agency, Essay Example

Human Services Agencies refers to legally constituted organizations formed by either natural or legal persons with no direct participation in the government. Generally this organization may receive their funding from government or from other external sources.  Although these agencies do not have legal definitions, many jurisdictions represent them as “Non- governmental Organizations” or “Civil society organizations”. The numbers of these kind of agencies is estimated to be over 40, 000 in the US, while Russia tops the list with a record over 277, 000 of such agencies (Ian & Minear, 2004).

As non profit organizations, such humanity agencies do not redistribute their surprise finance among its shareholders and owners, but uses it to assist in pursuing their goals and objectives. Basically, these organizations compose of charity foundations, public arts organizations and trade unions. This organizations offer their services to programs that are of society self- benefit and mostly where the central government policies have overlooked. Such organizations are anchored in some well defined legal aspects. The structural elements help to audit and monitor such agencies such as on tax exemption status, auditing and accountability provision and fair representation (Drucker, 1989).

Many charitable organizations, foundations and corporations offer grant funding to the non profit human services agencies. For most of these agencies, this funding forms the basic source of revenue. On top of this there are numerous states, federal, local entities that put aside some finance to support these agencies and other non profit making organizations.

Securing sources of funds is the most significant concern to the non- profit making organizations globally. Investing in the non-profit and charity projects produces minimal returns if any other that the positive impact to society and the resulting goodwill. In reality, there are limited sources of these funds with limitless organizations competing for the same. This creates stiff competition. If they are to make applications, the process takes a long period before it is actually approved and consequently release of funds.

Non- governmental organizations require a healthy interaction and relationship with the members of the public in order to achieve their goals and objectives (Ian & Minear, 2004).  Charities and foundations make use of sophisticated and complex public relations strategies and campaigns to raise finances and also employ lobbying techniques to seek funding from government agencies (Robin, 2008).

Ideally most of these agencies hold significant fundraising efforts in order to stay afloat financially. Significant sources of funding include membership fees, private donations, grants from national governments and international institutions. Even though they are supposed to be autonomous, majority of their funding comes from national governments. For instance 25 percent of the Oxfam income in the year 2002 originated from British government and the European Union. In the same year World Vision, a Christian based relief and development received over $55 million from the US Federal Government. Doctors without Borders receive 46 percent of its funding from government sources (Robin, 2008).

Steps Need To Secure Grant in United States of America

The following instructions shows on how to apply for grants from the federal government

• Application of 501c3 status through the Us Federal government: This enables them to enjoy tax-exempt position of the nonprofit making human services agencies. The status also offers them tax benefit to individuals and businesses that wish to donate goods or money to such organizations.
• Finding suitable grants: such agencies are required to visit the resource section of Grants.com website. There are however there are other corporations like Bill Gates Foundation. The agencies should first understand the eligibility requirements outlined so as to gauge where they actually fit into them.
• Filling the application- Currently most grants application is usually applied online in the internet. However there are those which require paper work preparation and later mailed in. The agencies need there to fully complete the application paying extra care to the information requested. Due to the competitiveness nature of these applications, incomplete and unsatisfying ones are either returned or discarded altogether.
• Proposal Preparation- Apart from the completed application process, the social services agencies are required to submit their proposal. This proposal outlines their statement of purposes as well as their mission and vision statement and core values. They also get a chance to elaborate the need and problem that they are wishing to address in the society. Within the proposal also the plan of activities and the deadline of the tasks involved are also outlined. They are also expected to show their budget and alternative sources of funding. Due to the complexity of the grant application process, management of such non- profit making can consult some grant- writing books or alternatively hire the services of professional writers to offer assistance.
• Package Submission- the completed form, the agency’s proposal and other required supportive documentation are submitted on or before the deadline of application. There are then required to wait for response on where the grant has been approved or rejected. If rejected, the agencies are required to abide by the verdict as there are also many applications received for processing to get the limited funds available. Hopefully they can application the next application if eligible (Kirsten, 2009).

References

Drucker, P. (1989). “What Business Can Learn from Nonprofits“. Harvard Business Review: 1-7.

Ian, S. & Minear, L. (2004). The Charity of Nations: Humanitarian Action in a Calculating World. New York: Kumarian Press.

Kirsten A. G. (2009).  How nonprofit human service organizations manage their funding sources: Key findings and policy implications. Retrieved 10 December, 2009 from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112783029/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Robin, N. (2008). How to Find Money for a Nonprofit Organization. Retrieved 09 December, 2009 from http://www.ehow.com/how_5510162_money-nonprofit-organization.html.