Grant Development for Legal Immigration Services

Grant Development forLegal Immigration Services September 30, 2009 Jack Holmgren, Esq. jholmgren@cliniclegal.org Pat Maloof, Ph.D. pmaloof@cliniclegal.org

Objectives • Describe the importance of planning and research for the development of a fundraising strategy • Understand the major sources of funds for non-profits • Identify major resources that list funding opportunities • Identify two funding concepts

Question 1 In a recession, Foundations receive more grant applications. • True • False

APPLY! During a recession, applications to foundations actually decline, thus increasing your chances of review, so apply, apply!

Planning • Clear fundraising goals • Diversify funding sources • Articulate need for program • Identify agency assets and needs • Apply to funders that are a right fit • Think evaluation and recordkeeping

Questions for Planning • How does program or project serve mission or priorities of agency? • Program or project goals • Population(s) to be served • Number of people to be served • Indirect costs

Questions for Planning (2) • Specific program or project activities • Concrete deliverables and timelines • How will success be measured? • Describe the evaluation component

Questions for Planning (3) • Projected length of program or project • Partners, if any • Expenditures • Revenue sources • Sustainability

Remember • Due Diligence • Evaluation

Major Funding Sources* • Government – Federal, State, Local • Corporations • Foundations – Local, Community, Family • Individuals (Major source of giving in U.S.) *Carter McNamara. Overview of Nonprofit Fundraising Sources and Approaches. 1999. http://www.managementhelp.org/fndrsng/np_raise/fndraise.htm

Government Federal, State, or Local • Larger amounts of money • Fixed process • Wide range of opportunities

Government Federal, State, or Local (2) • Application process may seem difficult or intimidating • Unspent funds may need to be returned unless roll-over is allowed (not always allowed)

Resources – Federal Government • http://www.grants.gov/ • http://www.faithbasedcommunityinitiatives.org/ • http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/fbci/index.html • http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/index.html • http://www.hud.gov/offices/fbci/ • http://www.usdoj.gov/fbci/ • http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/funding.htm#2

Corporations • Large Corporations/Corporate Foundations • Small Corporations

Corporations Questions to Consider • What companies give to my local community? • Which ones give to organizations like mine? • Would in-kind donations be helpful? • Who is on their Board?

Question 2 Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) is a source of direct funding. • True • False

Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) • Affinity group for immigrant/refugee funders • Useful and focused on our field • Current thinking and strategies on funding • NOT a source of funding • www.gcir.org

Foundations • Small-Family • Community • Large-Family

Foundations Questions to Consider • Who are the funders in my geographic region? • Who funds programs in my area of interest? • Who has funded organizations like mine?

Foundations Questions to Consider (2) • Who provides the type of support I need? • Who has given in the range of funding that I need? • Who is on the Board of the foundation?

Resources - Foundations • http://www.fadica.org/index.html • http://foundationcenter.org/ • www.philanthropy.com • http://www.communityfoundations.net/ • http://www.rivernetwork.org/rn/fundraisingguide/foundations • www.guidestar.org • www.gcir.org

Question 3 The best approach is to send a full proposal to a foundation once you know its interest so that they know exactly what you are offering. • True • False

Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) • Very useful • If you get it, it tends to continue • Difficult to get the first time

Individuals • On-going source • Givers are also advocates • Volunteers can be a helpful resource • Takes time to develop • Requires significant support from Board

Resources – Proposal Writing* • http://www.civicus.org/new/media/Writing%20a%20funding%20proposal.pdf • http://www.nmac.org/index/oes-english • http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3658-1.pdf • http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/74.pdf *Remember to write a clear, strong cover letter that explains the relationship of the proposal to the priorities of the funder.

Proposal Concept # 1: Immigrant Integration Naturalization • Weaves established and newcomer communities together • Positive outcomes for existing community • 85% of imm. families are mixed status • 75% of children of imm. are U.S. citizens • Eliminate language barrier via ESL

Immigrant Integration Naturalization • Newcomer community commits to learning civic process and engages with broader community • Receiving community promotes citizenship, opportunities for community participation • Benefits all through collaboration by philanthropy, civil society, newcomers

Immigrant Integration Naturalization • Revitalizes declining communities • Stronger communities thru inclusion • Increased productivity • Expanded base of workers • Expanded base of consumers • Expanded base of taxpayers • Expanded base of entrepreneurs

Proposal Concept # 2: DV Immigration Support Center • Takes existing agency capacity to assist survivors of domestic violence • Leverages the knowledge and skill to create capacity throughout the city or state • Teaches other DV agencies how to do this (how to fish) instead of doing cases (giving them a fish)

DV Immigration Support Center • DV survivors in rural areas face barriers to service • The abuser controls transportation • No transportation to metropolitan immigration help • No ability to obtain immigration status independently • Endless cycle of violent family degradation

DV Immigration Legal Support Center • Your agency knows DV immigration • Your staff can train DV shelter or treatment programs to do this • Your staff can assist these rural agencies with obtaining Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) agency recognition and staff/volunteer accreditation

Conclusion • Resource development does not arise over night • Involves time and relationship with funder and program officer • Never give up

Grant Development for Legal Immigration Services