the 4-1-1 | Keeping you dialed in

1. Spend as little time as possible on research

People seeking grants often spend too much time and effort on research. Your success in getting grants depends on making the most effective use of your time. Reduce the amount of time you spend on research and increase the amount of time you spend contacting funding organizations.

Don’t waste time in the library picking through materials, and writing for information.
Instead use a comprehensive directory such as the Taft Directory or Foundation Center directory mentioned in part one. These directories were prepared through meticulous research of the most productive part of the grant making universe, the organizations where you’re most likely to find success.

2. Don’t be intimidated by the huge number of foundations

There are a great number of private foundations and corporate giving organizations.
At first, the task of approaching them seems impossible. But, in fact, the job is much less difficult than it first appears. That is because the giving organizations most worthy of your attention, the major professional grant-making organizations, are only a tiny percentage of the total. This tiny percentage is responsible for the vast majority of grant money awarded each year. Concentrate on putting your grant proposal in front of these organizations that are most likely to award you a grant.

3. Concentrate on agencies where you have a real chance of success

Direct your applications to agencies with a definite interest in your field of activity.
Select agencies which are currently giving in your field or which have displayed an open-minded approach to giving. These agencies are most likely to consider new programs. Weed out organizations with special restrictions that can’t be met by you or your field of activity.

4. Establish a personal link between your organization and the people who manage foundations and corporate giving programs

Foundations generally consider people to be the key to success. They give money to people and organizations with a good track record. Raising money from foundations and corporations is just like raising money from banks. Before they invest, they want to know you and your organization personally. They want to make sure you and your people are capable and successful, and therefore likely to be successful again.

5. Always individually approach the organizations which you’ve selected as your most likely prospects for funding

In the face of such huge numbers of funding organizations there is sometimes the impulse to approach funding organizations in a standardized manner, to cut corners or to save time. Resist the temptation to try a blanket approach. It doesn’t work. Every foundation is different. Some have staff to which you can write directly. Some have application procedures. Some may see you on a phone call or a letter. A clumsy standardized approach is almost certain to turn off potential funding sources. Instead, select your top funding prospects, learn about their particular requirements and procedures, and approach each in a manner that suits them.

6. Take full advantage of the fastest growing segment of the grant-giving organizations

Corporate giving in this country has grown at a phenomenal rate over the past 10 years. There is one segment of the huge corporate giving universe that is not widely known, but represents a colossal 50% of corporate giving. They are the corporate direct giving programs. Updated information concerning this can be found in the Taft Corporate Directory at your local public library.

7. Consider untapped funding sources

Here you’re likely to find new foundations accepting applications for the very first time, up and coming foundations which are about to acquire fresh sources of funds, innovative new giving initiatives, medium sized foundations on the brink of huge portfolio increases, and established foundations about to broaden their priorities.

Now you have enough general and specific information to reach out and help yourself and/or your organization, best wishes with your future endeavors!

Go for it!