Finding
a Funding Fit
Now that you have specifically defined your project, you are in a position
to look for possible funding matches. In this next step, you want to create
a short list of possible funders (10-20 possibilities) to focus your proposal
writing efforts. The funders in your
short list should appear to be a perfect match for your project or for
funding parts of your project.
Before you add a funding opportunity to your short list, each one must
be evaluated on the basis of whether or not it is a good fit.
What makes a good fit?
1. Do the objectives of your project match the guidelines or mission
of the organization (not just the proposal guidelines)?
2. Are the results of your project something the organization would be
interested in or benefit by?
3. How many proposals do they end up funding? If the number is low, you
may want to keep looking.
4. Are awards limited to a certain geographic area?
5. What are the amounts of the awards typically funded? Will the amount
make a big impact on your project? Is the amount worth the application
process?
6. Do they only fund certain types of organization or just individuals?
7. Are the deadlines reasonable? Can you put together an excellent proposal
in the timeframe given?
8. Does the award need to be used within a certain timeframe?
9. Does it matter to you whether or not the award is renewable? (Most
will not be.)
10. Are they looking for new projects or something on-going and more established?
11. Has this organization given any money to our organization over the
past year?
To help create your list here is a Grant
Match Rubric that might be helpful.
Where do you find information on past awards and giving trends?
1. Most funders will have a website describing their missions and past
recipients. Other online resources include:
2. Reference Books: Taft Giving Corporation, D & B Americas Corporate Families
3. The
Foundation Directory
4. Magazines: Chronicles
of Philanthropy
5. Newspaper: NonProfit
Times
(Sources from http://www.activitytherapy.com/grant.htm)
Since March 2000, it is now possible to view the tax returns for any private
foundation. Go to www.guidestar.org
or www.grantsmart.org
to download their 990-PF
form. This will help to give you a sense of the size of award the
funder usually gives and to make sure the foundation is current and still
operational.
EXERCISE: Let’s begin to create
the short list of possible funding sources. Go to the Internet
Bibliography found on the Metro State website.
Use these links to find a source of possible funding for your project.
On your Study Guide, write down the following information for one match:
Foundation/Funder Name:
Contact Name:
Contact Information:
Note: You may need to allow some time to complete this exercise before
moving to the next step in the workshop. Bookmark this page to save your
place in the workshop.
