Finding and Securing Foundation Funding
- Know who you are and what you do! Have a clear purpose and stick to it regardless of funding opportunities. Your big goals shouldn’t change all that much for the next few years.
- Research, Research, Research. Know who funds in your area, who they have funded before, how it went, etc. Look at your key competitors and find out who funds them.
- Network.Having an in somewhere in the foundation is generally useful. Create advocates wherever you go and remember every situation is an opportunity –from your mom to your cousin Timmy’s baseball coach!
- Have clear, up-to-date metrics. Be able to specifically measure your impact in a way that tells the story of your organization. Provide an in-depth picture of your organization through data.
- Be creative. If someone won't get back to you, send them something on brand and unique to get their attention. We’ve sent everything from a box of 50 bags of Doritos to a dancing gorilla to get calls returned.
- Personalize your grant application. Include photos, testimonials (even bring a client to your meeting with the foundation) that show first hand how effective your work is.
- Maintain the relationship.Whether you get a yes or a no, keep in touch and update them with your successes. Know what they are up to as well.
- Write an excellent proposal. Good writing is essential. Makes sure you’re answering the questions that they ask. Have at least two other people look over your proposal before you send it in.
- Use your social networks. Linked in can be your best friend. Use it to find out how you're connected to a particular foundation.
- Apply for partial grants. Working with more than one foundation at a time makes you look well connected, financially savvy during tough times, and gives you a diverse funding structure.
- Send a thank-you follow up. Once you get the grant, always send a thank you from someone who was impacted by that particular program. Past funders are your most likely source of future funding.
