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How to Approach Foundations

How to Approach Foundations. A Presentation for The Power of Education Foundations Enhancing the Education of All Our Children Growth for Good Building Strength in Organizations Oct 5, 2013. www.GrowthforGood.com. About Us

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How to Approach Foundations

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  1. How to Approach Foundations A Presentation for The Power of Education Foundations Enhancing the Education of All Our Children Growth for GoodBuilding Strength in Organizations Oct 5, 2013 www.GrowthforGood.com

  2. About Us Growth for Good provides strategic planning, fundraising, government relations, marketing and communications expertise so that organizations can focus on what they do best: good work. Our goal is to strengthen our clients’ abilities to effectively and efficiently serve their missions. We have worked with many relevant non-profits, including: 2

  3. Today, you will learn: • PREPAREDNESS - Three essential steps to increase your odds of success • RELATIONSHIP - How to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with foundations 3 3

  4. Preparedness Three essential readiness steps to increase your odds of success 4 4

  5. Preparedness Step #1: Get Grant Ready Are all your ducks in a row? 5 5

  6. Preparedness - #1 Get Grant Ready • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓

  7. Preparedness - #1 Get Grant Ready • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓

  8. Preparedness - #1 • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓ • Documented Planning – Mission, Vision, Values, Goals ✓ Get Grant Ready

  9. Preparedness - #1 • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓ • Documented Planning – Mission, Vision, Values, Goals • Financial Readiness – Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, Audit, Board Give/Get, Finance Committee ✓ Get Grant Ready

  10. Preparedness - #1 • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓ • Documented Planning – Mission, Vision, Values, Goals • Financial Readiness – Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, Audit, Board Give/Get, Finance Committee ✓ • Capacity – Staff for Grant Writing and for the Project ✓ Get Grant Ready

  11. Preparedness - #1 • Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓ • Documented Planning – Mission, Vision, Values, Goals • Financial Readiness – Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, Audit, Board Give/Get, Finance Committee ✓ • Capacity – Staff for Grant Writing and for the Project ✓ • External Relationships – Competition, Partnerships ✓ Get Grant Ready

  12. Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓ • Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓ • Documented Planning – Mission, Vision, Values, Goals • Financial Readiness – Operating Budget, Fundraising Plan, Audit, Board Give/Get, Finance Committee ✓ • Capacity – Staff for Grant Writing and for the Project ✓ • External Relationships – Competition, Partnerships ✓ • Project Description – Need, Population Served, Goals, Objectives, Timeline, Methodology, Staffing, Budget ✓ Preparedness - #1 Get Grant Ready

  13. Preparedness - #1 • Purpose/significance • Methodology • Population Served • Goals, Objectives • Outcomes (vs. Outputs) • Logic Models • Staffing • Evaluation • Timeline • Program/Project Budget • “Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration” • –Thomas Edison Get Grant Ready – Project/Program Description 13 13

  14. Preparedness - #1 Get Grant Ready – Post Reminders for when you start to write • Know the funder • Follow the funder’s format • Follow the funder’s guidelines • Use the funder’s language • Be responsive to the funder’s priorities • Answer the funder’s questions! • Have mercy on the funder (1st person,12 point, white space) 14 14

  15. Step #2: Assess AlignmentIf you have seen one foundation… … you have seen one foundation. Preparedness • No mail merge • No cut and paste 15

  16. Assess Alignment – Do your Research Preparedness - #2 Know the foundation • Values • Goals • Methodology • Geography • Scale • Types of funding • Current and past grantees 16

  17. Preparedness - #2 Assess Alignment – To Thine Own Mission be True • Money follows mission • If it’s not a mission-based priority, think twice • Mission drift can be hazardous • Double check your strategic plan 17 17

  18. Preparedness • Step #3: Set Sound Strategy • Good things come to those who plan “Unfortunately given the proximity to the deadline and the high volume of inquiries we receive, I am unable to schedule calls with each organization requesting a preliminary discussion about the application process.” – Foundation Program Officer 18 18

  19. Preparedness - #3 • Set Sound Strategy – Is now the right time? • Are you applying based on a plan, or because • an opportunity came into your inbox? • Is your plan realistic and prioritized ? • Can you afford to wait for this money? • Are your racing against a foundation deadline? • Do you have sufficient capacity to develop • the project/proposal and to fulfill the • funder’s reporting requirements? 19 19

  20. Preparedness - #3 Set Sound Strategy – Stay on track • Grant writing calendar • Tracking sheet • Foundation profiles • Communications • emails • calls • visits • feedback • LOIs+ Proposals • Funding letters • Reports 20 20

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  22. Relationship Building As you plan and prepare, cultivate positive relationships with foundations • If there is an email address or phone number on the website, use it, BUT DO SO WISELY! • If you have a connection to a foundation, use it, BUT DO SO WISELY! • Do not bypass a program officer. 22 22

  23. Relationship Building You will be rewarded for good behavior • Be courteous and respectful of program officers’ time • Do not ask questions that are explained on the website • Be prepared (positioning paper/script/talking points/budget) • Be informed (the foundation’s interests, guidelines, other grantees, etc.) • Above all, don’t exaggerate or overpromise 23 23

  24. Relationship Building Do ask in a first conversation • Does this sound like something you might be interested in funding? • Would it be possible to talk further? • Should I include overhead in a project/program budget? Is 20% OK? Do not ask in a first conversation • How much money to request • For someone to review the narrative or budget • To be given an extension – Don’t ever ask this! 24 24

  25. GOOD LUCK! 25 25

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