Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Research and Writing

Linda Holliday, Vice President for Organizational Development

Initiative Foundation Mission

Unlock the power of central Minnesota people to build and sustain thriving communities.

Our Service Area

What we do…

• Make grants and loans

• Provide donor Services

• Provide leadership training and assistance

• Inspire local giving

Where are you coming from?

What are your expectations?

Topics to be Covered

• Funding Sources• Program/Project Planning• Foundation Research• Proposal Components• Evaluation• Grant Review/follow-up

Who Gives Us Money?Minnesota Trends

78% Individuals

10% Private Foundations

9% Corporate Foundations and Giving Programs

3% Community/Public Foundations

Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations

Foundation Types

• Private• Corporate • Community/

Public

Community/Public

6%

Corporate

9%Private

85%

Minnesota

Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area

26% Education22% Human Services17% Public Affairs14% Arts, Culture & Human-ities11% Health5% Environment3% Religion2% International Affairs

Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area

MN Foundation TrendsGrantmaking by Geographic

Service Area

30% Twin Cities

10% Greater MN

8% Statewide

52% Areas Outside MN

Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations

Who Gets the Money?

•501(c) 3 Nonprofit Organizations •Local Units of Government / Federally Recognized Tribes

•School Districts

• DO: Have a clear plan and then identify potential $$• DO NOT: See available $$ and design a project that may or may not be a fit

Planning Activity

Start with a Clear Plan

1. Low birth weights 2. Nutrition class for expectant parents3. Parents, public health nurses, high school

development class, U of M Extension 4. Expectant parents5. School space/kitchen, Lions/Rotary $, Child

Development class6. Family Center staff 7. Food, transportation, staffing, postage, instructional

supplies… 8. Nine months from now

Workplan Worksheet

• Area of Interest• Types of Support– Operating– Planning– Start up– Project/Program– Capital– Endowment

• Geographic Focus

Funder Research Activity

Researching Funders

• User Friendly!• Strong Recommendation!• $175-1,035 /year• Up to nine users

• Free pass today!

MN Guide to Grantmakers

1. Sheltering Arms Foundation2. At risk children / 0-33. Greater MN okay4. Project/Start Up5. $10,0006. Yes7. Letter of Inquiry

Funder Research Activity

Letter of Inquiry• Who are you• Why are you applying to this

foundation• Brief description of the program• Rationale and purpose of

program• Amount you want to request

Inquiry Letter vs. Proposal

• Cover Letter• Executive Summary• Organizational Information• Need/Situation• Project/Activities/Methods• Outcome/Evaluation• Budget/Budget Narrative• Supplementary/Attachments

Proposal Components

• 2- 4 paragraphs• Describe purpose• Background• Amount of funds requested• Timelines• THANK YOU!

The Cover Letter

Summarize project at the start of a proposal– Typically two paragraphs to one page• Describe purpose• Background• Amount of funds requested• Timelines

– See ES Examples

Executive Summary

One - two pages that tell: • History• Mission• Who you serve• Programs & Successes!

Organizational Background

• Describe situation/issue/need• Explain why it is important• Don’t assume funder has knowledge of

your area - you are the expert• Explain program benefits• Does not have to be all deficit model

Need Statement

What does your organization plan to do about the situation, issue or opportunity?• What project planning has taken place• Target audience• Units of service• Who will do the work• Start and end dates

Project Activities/ Methodology

• So What?•What change is going to

take place?

Intended Outcomes/Evaluation

INPUTS: $$, staff, volunteers, clients OUTPUTS: Classes taught, educational

materials distributed, participants served

OUTCOMES: Change in skills, attitudes, behavior, new knowledge, increased skills, improved conditions

An Outcome Recipe

• Initial outcomes– change in knowledge,

skills or attitude• Intermediate outcomes

– change in behavior• Long-term outcomes

– change in condition, status or situation

Outcome Levels

Outputs vs. Outcomes Exercise

• Incarcerated parents attend an early childhood workshop.

• Incarcerated parents read more to their children during visiting hours.

• The food shelf hires a new program manager. • There are fewer “missed meals” in the City of

Brainerd. • New immigrants receive ESL training. • Immigrants report feeling less isolated.

• Project vs. Organizational• Revenue

- Earned income- Contributed income

• Expenses- Personnel- Direct project expenses- Administrative or overhead

See sample budget

The Budget

• IRS 501(c)3 determination letter• Letters of support• Financial statements• Board approval• Resumes• What NOT to include...

Supplementary Materials

Have a clear plan to track:–Upcoming grants–Pending grants– Funder reports–Grants denied

See sample tracking form

Tracking your Proposals

Be prepared, organized and educated!

The Site Visit

• The Minnesota Council on Foundations: www.mcf.org • The Foundation Center:

www.fdncenter.org • The Initiative Foundation:

www.ifound.org• See handouts!

Other Resources

Thank YOU! Did we meet your expectations?