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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!