1. Verify eligibility
Match the official applicant types, geography, program purpose and required registrations to your organization. A promising search match is not an eligibility decision.
OIP evidence-first guide
Grant readiness
A practical, evidence-first checklist for reviewing eligibility, timing, cost share, reimbursement and application requirements before pursuing a grant.
2. Confirm the amount type
Identify whether the source states an individual award, an award range, a maximum, a formula or only a total program pool. Do not budget from a program total as though it were your award.
3. Map the real timeline
Record opening, registration, application, submission, review and award dates separately. An award date does not prove when payment will arrive.
4. Test financial readiness
Look for matching funds, cost share, reimbursement, qualifying expenses, proof of funds or upfront spending. If the source is silent, treat readiness as unknown.
5. Review required materials
Use the current official notice to identify narratives, budgets, attachments and registrations. OIP proposal findings are research aids and may require verification or OCR review.
6. Make a go/no-go decision
Compare effort, deadline, evidence quality and likely fit before drafting. Save application work for opportunities whose official terms you can actually satisfy.
Apply the checklist
Build a source-backed Funding Plan
The Finder keeps OIP's match score separate from the objective OIP Score and points back to official evidence.