philanthropy and foundations
DESCRIPTION
January 2012: Presentation to MSW students at UNCG/NC A&T UniversityTRANSCRIPT
Joint Master of Social Work ProgramNC A&T and UNCGJanuary 24, 2012
Philanthropy and Foundations
AGENDA
Philanthropy Private Foundations
Grantmaking Trends
Careers in Philanthropy
Who Gives?
Who Receives?
Foundation Funding
Giving Trends
• More than 3/5 of active foundations
were established after 1989*
• 17% are staffed
• 8% ARs
• 17% have publications
• 11% have Web sites
A Typical Foundation?
2009 Perspective
Philanthropy: $303 Billion • $383 Billion = national debt service• $672 Billion = Social Security benefits• $404 Billion = Wal-Mart Revenue
1) What are foundations? What are the different kinds? What do they do?
2) What is the relationship between grant proposals and foundation work?
3) What do foundations and other funders look for when determining who gets grant dollars?
4) What are some procedural do’s and don'ts in trying to get projects funded?
Working with Foundations
THE TEDIOUS AND TIME CONSUMING METHOD THAT IS, UNFORTUNATELY, OFTEN TIMES NECESSARY
What are you trying to find out?
1) Who they give to? (Eligibility)
2) When? (Deadlines)
3) Who they have given to? (Previous Recipients)
4) How to apply? (Format)
SOME UNOFFICIAL TRUTHS ABOUT GRANTSEEKING
1) You will have a much easier time getting funded for something new rather than something you have been doing already.
2) Submitting joint proposals with collaborators increases your chances of success exponentially.
3) No one can sit in a room by themselves and develop an effective grants
project.
SOME UNOFFICIAL TRUTHS ABOUT GRANTSEEKING(continued)
4) Your chances for success increase
dramatically if you have had positive
interaction with the funder before you
submit your proposal.
5) Much of the information required in grants can, and should be prepared ahead of time.
6) The worst way to develop a grant seeking project is in response to a notice of fund availability.
4 DRAWBACKS OF GRANTS PURSUIT (AND REALIZATION)- IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER-
1) THE MONEY RUNS OUT
2) EFFORT DOES NOT EQUAL RETURN
3) INTRAORGANIZATIONAL STRESS
4) UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
KEY COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL GRANT PROPOSAL
ESTABLISHMENT OF PROBLEM/NEED YOU WANT TO ADDRESS
• Statistics• Anecdotal reports from within or outside• Community-wide needs vs. institutional• Surveys/Public Forums/Community Input
YOUR PROPOSED SOLUTION
• Logic• Within your capacity and experience• Considers other providers• Reasonable within the timeframe you have suggested
DO
• Read all the materials that the foundation or
other funder has published.
• Start talking to the foundation representatives well before their deadlines and before your proposed project start dates.
• Develop a system within your organization that identifies potential projects early on and is prepared when opportunities present themselves. Have a system whereby people involved in accounting, finance and other areas of operations can respond quickly and knowledgably to the needs of the funders.
DO (continued)
• Commit time and work to participation in community or regional networks relevant to health and human service issues.
• Enhance your knowledge of the people you currently serve and those who you are not currently serving.
• Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of what other services are being offered in the community.
• Realistic goals
• Leadership—management/board
• Financial viability
• Collaboration
• Sustainability
• Local commitment, including organization putting in some of their own money
DO NOT
• Call a foundation saying that you need money for XYZ.• Use the names of elected officials of other prominent persons
unless you are absolutely sure of the relationships in the community.
• Try to shame the foundation person into acknowledging the need for your project.
• Request funding for items or program areas that the foundation does not fund.
• Criticize the efforts of others.• Get consultants involved as spokespersons.
Trends and Progress
Outcomes-Focused Grantmaking
• Focus Shift (Compliance – Outcomes)• Use of Language is Important• Budget – not interested in money, but money in
motion• Measuring gain• Milestones/Results• Resources: Outcome Funding,
Hal Williams
Resources
• Grant Proposal Makeover by Cheryl A. Clarke and Susan P. Fox
• Center for Effective Philanthropy• The Rensselvaerville Institute/Center for What
Works• NC Center for Nonprofits• QENO @ UNCW
Resources
Questions and Answers
Edgar Villanueva, MHA, FACHEOwner/Principal [email protected][T} LEVERAGEpartnerwww.leveragepartners.net