Grant Proposal Sample for Nonprofits

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT: GRANT WRITING AND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING

DOCUMENT ID: GPD-2024-001 EFFECTIVE DATE: [Effective Date] VERSION: 1.0 GOVERNING JURISDICTION: State of [State Name]

STATUTORY & LEGAL COMPLIANCE NOTICE

This document is a formal legal instrument. It is provided for informational and drafting purposes. Grant writing services involve regulatory considerations regarding tax-exempt status, solicitation registration (charitable trust laws), and professional standards. Parties are advised to consult with local counsel to ensure compliance with state-specific lobbying and charitable solicitation statutes prior to execution.

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1. PARTIES AND RECITALS

This Agreement is entered into by and between [Consultant/Firm Name], with a principal place of business at [Consultant Address] ("Consultant"), and [Nonprofit Organization Name], a [State] non-profit corporation with a principal place of business at [Nonprofit Address] ("Client").

WHEREAS, the Client desires to engage the Consultant to provide professional grant writing and development services; and WHEREAS, the Consultant represents that it has the requisite expertise to perform such services;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Consultant shall provide grant development services, including: (a) prospect research; (b) drafting of grant narratives and budgets; (c) coordination of required organizational attachments (e.g., IRS Form 990, Articles of Incorporation); and (d) submission management for [Number] grant proposals (the "Services").

3. COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT TERMS

3.1 Fee Structure: Client shall pay Consultant a total fee of $[Amount in USD] for the defined Services, payable in accordance with the following milestones: [e.g., 50% upon signing, 50% upon submission of proposal]. 3.2 Invoicing: Consultant shall submit invoices upon the completion of milestones. Payment is due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. 3.3 Late Interest: Any undisputed amounts not paid within thirty (30) days shall accrue interest at the rate of 1.5% per month, or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

4. TERM AND TERMINATION

4.1 Term: This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until [End Date], unless terminated earlier. 4.2 Termination for Convenience: Either party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ written notice. In the event of termination, Client shall pay for all Services rendered through the effective date of termination. 4.3 Termination for Breach: Either party may terminate immediately upon written notice if the other party commits a material breach and fails to cure such breach within fifteen (15) days of receiving written notice of said breach.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND WORK MADE FOR HIRE

All documents, research, narratives, and budgets created by Consultant specifically for the Client shall be considered "works made for hire" under the U.S. Copyright Act. To the extent any such work does not qualify as a work made for hire, Consultant hereby assigns all right, title, and interest in such work to the Client upon full payment of fees.

6. MUTUAL CONFIDENTIALITY

"Confidential Information" includes all non-public financial, operational, or strategic data disclosed between parties. Receiving party shall protect Confidential Information with the same degree of care as its own, but no less than reasonable care, and shall not disclose it to third parties without prior written consent, except as required by law.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Consultant represents that the Services will be performed in a professional manner in accordance with industry standards. Consultant does not guarantee the awarding of any grant, as award decisions are subject to the sole discretion of the funding entity.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 Liability Cap: To the maximum extent permitted by law, the aggregate liability of Consultant for any claims arising out of this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by Client to Consultant under this Agreement. 8.2 Indemnification: Client agrees to indemnify and hold Consultant harmless from any third-party claims, damages, or costs resulting from the accuracy of financial or operational data provided by the Client for use in grant applications.

9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State Name]. Any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration in [City, State] under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

10. MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remainder shall continue in full force. 10.2 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements. 10.3 Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

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EXECUTION

FOR [CONSULTANT / COMPANY NAME]: Signature: _____________________________________ Printed Name: [Authorized Signatory Name] Title: [Title / Role] Company: [Company Legal Name] Date: [Date]

FOR [CLIENT / NONPROFIT NAME]: Signature: _____________________________________ Printed Name: [Authorized Signatory Name] Title: [Title / Role] Date: [Date]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION AND FILING GUIDE

1. Drafting: Copy the text into Microsoft Word. Use the "Find and Replace" function (Ctrl+H) to locate all bracketed fields [...] and input the accurate project-specific data.
2. Verification: Confirm the Signatory has the legal authority to bind the entity (check Bylaws or Board Resolution for the Nonprofit).
3. Digital Signature: Upload the finalized document to a platform like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or HelloSign. Add fields for signatures and dates. Send to the authorized signatory for the Client first, then the Consultant.
4. Record Retention: Once fully executed, save the PDF to a secure, encrypted cloud repository (e.g., SharePoint, Box) with a naming convention such as 2024-GrantConsulting_NonprofitName_Executed.pdf. Retain for a minimum of seven (7) years per standard document retention policies for tax/audit purposes.