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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
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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:
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Today, you will learn:
• PREPAREDNESS - Three essential steps to increase your odds of success
• RELATIONSHIP - How to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with foundations
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Three essential readiness steps to increase your odds of success
Go for It!
Get Grant Ready
Assess Alignme
nt Set Sound Strateg
y
Preparedness
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Step #1: Get Grant Ready
Are all your ducks in a row?
Preparedness
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• Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓
Get Grant Ready
Preparedness - #1
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• Organizational Readiness – Board, 501(c)(3), Website, Annual Report ✓• Proven Impact – Need, Population, Facts, Statistics, Evaluation ✓
Get Grant Ready
Preparedness - #1
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• 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
Preparedness - #1
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• 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
Preparedness - #1
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• 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
Preparedness - #1
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• 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 ✓
Preparedness - #1
Get Grant Ready
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• 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 ✓
Get Grant Ready
Preparedness - #1
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• 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
Preparedness - #1
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• 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)
Preparedness - #1
Get Grant Ready – Post Reminders for when you start to write
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Step #2: Assess Alignment
If you have seen one foundation…
… you have seen one foundation.
Preparedness
• No mail merge• No cut and paste
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Assess Alignment – Do your Research
Know the foundation
• Values• Goals• Methodology• Geography• Scale• Types of funding• Current and past grantees
Preparedness - #2
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• Money follows mission
• If it’s not a mission-based priority, think twice
• Mission drift can be hazardous
• Double check your strategic plan
Assess Alignment – To Thine Own Mission be True
Preparedness - #2
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Step #3: Set Sound Strategy
Good things come to those who plan
Preparedness
“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
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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?
Preparedness - #3
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Set Sound Strategy – Stay on track
• Grant writing calendar• Tracking sheet• Foundation profiles• Communications
• emails• calls• visits• feedback
• LOIs+ Proposals• Funding letters• Reports
Preparedness - #3
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As you plan and prepare, cultivate positive relationships with foundations
Relationship Building
• 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.
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• 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
Relationship Building
You will be rewarded for good behavior
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• 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?
Relationship Building
Do ask in a first conversation
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!
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GOOD LUCK!