Show Me the Money! $$$ Navigating the World of Family & Private Foundation Grants Fred J. Markham,...
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Show Me the Money! $$$ Navigating the World of Family & Private Foundation Grants Fred J. Markham, Executive Director Texas Pioneer Foundation Erica V. Ekwurzel, CFRE Advocacy In Motion
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Transcript of Show Me the Money! $$$ Navigating the World of Family & Private Foundation Grants Fred J. Markham,...
Show Me the Money!$$$
Navigating the World of Family & Private Foundation Grants
Fred J. Markham, Executive Director
Texas Pioneer Foundation
Erica V. Ekwurzel, CFRE
Advocacy In Motion
Agenda
Understanding the Foundation Landscape– Statistics on Family & Private Grant Programs– How the Process Works
LOI Application Board Decision Report/Follow-up
Tips on finding the right Foundation– Find a Foundation near and dear to you– Effective techniques to approaching funders– Importance of Cultivation & Stewardship
Tools to Flex Your Grantseeking Skills
Bookend Model of Success
One-Time Donation to Program Investment District & community-driven prioritySpecific in ask – Early Childhood pilotTargeted in outreach to funder
Landscape of Grantmaking Entities
Types of Funding Organizations– Corporate giving programs– Community foundations– Grantmaking public charities– Private foundations
Family Independent Corporate
Fascinating Facts on Foundations
In 2010 there were 88,800 active, private foundations in the U.S.
Over 90% (83,113) had endowments of less than $10 million with $88 billion in total endowments.
Most of these are family foundations.
Private foundations are required to make grants of at least 5% of their average assets annually.
5% of $88 billion = $4.4 billion.
70% make grants for educational purposes.
How Foundations Operate
Characteristics of small foundations: Few or no staff Keep a low profile Tendency to fund locally Don’t belong to associations or attend annual conferences of
funders Make grants to nonprofit organizations with which they are
personally acquainted Many do not consider unsolicited requests Best to approach through personal relationships
How the Grantmaking Process Works
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Brief
Amount requested
Specific purpose of funds
Why it is needed
Who it will help & how many
What you hope to accomplish
Importance of the Ask: People Give to People
In a recent survey of family foundations by Foundation Source, 58% said it is very important that:
“Someone I know and respect is closely involved or has asked me to support the project.”
Finding Family & Private Grantmakers
Network locally Online resources:
– Foundation Center: www.foundationcenter.org– Guidestar: www.guidestar.org– Urban Institute: http://nccs.urban.org/statistics– CTEF Giving Profile: www.centraltexasedfunders.org– FC Cooperating Collections:
http://foundationcenter.org/collections/cctx.html 20+ Cooperating Collections around Texas Electronic & Print Resources such as:
– The Foundation Directory Online Professional
– Philanthropy In/Sight
– After the Grant: The Nonprofit's Guide to Good Stewardship (2010)
– Board Member's Book (2003)…..and MUCH MORE!
Quick Demonstration on finding Grantmakers Online
National Center for Charitable Statistics search by Texas County view Board Members see Past Grants (by IRS Form 990s)
Urban Institute - NCCS
Texas County Detail
How to Apply
Full Proposal
Many foundations have their own application.
Most small foundations do not want a long proposal.
Be direct and honest.
Be accountable to project goals and budget needs.
Cut the jargon talk.
State how your work differs from other similar organizations/programs.
Target Prospecting
Private Foundation Website Grant guidelines & funding priorities
Grant process & timeline
Annual reports
Staff biographies
Grant success stories
General information/FAQ
Tools to Refine Search & Outreach
Grant Prospects
Foundation Name Primary contact
Other key contacts
Average grant size
Amount we should request
Grant Deadlines
Format: Online, email,
or mail? Notes
XYZ Foundation Jane Doe John Doe
$25,000 to youth nonprofits $25,000
quarterly: Mar, June, Oct, Dec
mail only; will not accept email
Might be friends with Jim Bob or Bobby Sue; ask at next meeting
Timing of Grant Cycles
Don’t Expect Quick Results Often part-time philanthropists
Small or no staff
3 or 4 funding cycles annually
What to do if funder says “No.”
Don’t Let a Rejection Discourage You
• Rejection is part of the process of finding funding
• Reasons for rejection may have nothing to do with the quality of your program or proposal:
- Funding priorities may have changed
- Reached annual quota for funding
• Contact them again next year. Strengthen personal relationships and program awareness.
Bookend Model of Success
Importance of Relationship Building
Engaged funder in Foundation’s activitiesCreative ideas to help keep Foundation top of mind, like offered school program tours, included in e-newsletter, authored press releaseOverall, served as a direct liaison to ISD & priorities
Questions & Comments
Thank You!
Fred Markham Erica V. Ekwurzel
[email protected] [email protected]
www.texaspioneer.com CivicAIM
