Once you have developed a sizable prospect
list, you're ready to dig deeper and gather details about each of
your prospects. For each prospect, create a file of background information.
Be sure to include:
- mission statement and core values
- history
- main interests
- special interests
- whether they have a geographic focus
- any patterns in their recent giving you can identify
- amount of money they typically award
- organizations they have previously funded
- special projects they have supported
- guidelines for applications and grant requests
- preferred method for initial contact (phone? letter? personal
networking?)
- key decision-makers (staff and board) and their special interests
- limitations and exclusions on the funds
- deadlines for proposals
To turn your long list of prospective donor
organizations into a short list of the best options, you need more
information about each prospect. Your goal is to get a general idea
of what the organization is and where their interests lie so you
can add them to your short list or pass on them until another time.
As you conduct this research, make a special note of organizations
that have
- a mission or core values that mirror yours especially closely
- previously supported a program like yours
- special annual programs to give funds for needs like yours
with specific deadlines for application
- staff members with whom you have personal networking connections
As your research becomes more detailed, you will naturally weed
out funding sources that do not turn out to be strong possibilities.
This is a good sign: Remember, your next step is contacting each
of these possible funders and developing relationships with them.
It is impossible to do this effectively with too many potential
funders. We recommend that you end this step with between two and
eight funding prospects.
These resources can help you learn more about
a grantmaker's interests, guidelines, deadlines and contact information.
Those marked with an asterisk (*) are available in the Donors
Forum Library and Philanthropy
Centers.
Directories
- The Directory of Illinois Foundations*
- Other state and regional directories*
- Subject area directories*
- Grants guides*
- Foundation 1000*, detailed and analytical profiles of the
largest (by grant dollars awarded) foundations in the United
States.
- Foundation Reporter*, profiles of more than 1000 of the largest
foundations in the United States
Getting more details
- Foundation websites often highlight priorities, recent special
projects, initiatives, grants
lists, guidelines, statistics and information about the board.
- The Donors Forum links to the websites
of its grantmaking Members
- Grantmaker files in the Donors Forum Library, which contain
annual
reports, guidelines
and news clippings
- The
Foundation Center's online Foundation Finder
- The
IRS's quarterly "Blue Book," Publication 78
- The
Council on Foundations. Links to the websites of more than
300 grantmakers. Many additional resources as well.
- European
Foundation Centre
- The
Foundation Center. Services and publications, cooperating
collection libraries, seminars, links to grantmaker, library
and regional association websites. Philanthropy News Digest
covers news from the philanthropic world.
- Progressive
Foundation Database Detailed listings on progressive foundations,
including address, phone number, program officers, giving priorities,
average grant size and deadlines.
Online Funding Opportunities
Foundation tax returns provide a great deal
of information, especially for foundations that may not publish
annual
reports or grants
lists. The 990-PF
(filed by independent,
family and corporate foundations) and the 990
(filed by public
and community foundations) include details on grant recipients
and amounts, trustee
lists, focus of the foundation, whether or not the funder accepts
unsolicited proposals, and contact details.
Here are a few sources for viewing 990s.
- The Donors Forum Library receives the returns of all private
foundations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Returns
from 1997 are in microfiche aperture cards; returns from 1998
and after are on CD-ROM.
- Guidestar,
a searchable database of nonprofit organizations, including
the 990s of community foundations and other public charities.
Includes 990-PFs for many private foundations from 1998 to the
present.
- Grantsmart
offers a searchable database of 990-PFs.
Digging deeper: who really funds in my area?
- Use the online GrantSource
database to look up sample grants given to similar nonprofits
or programs or to look at the grant history of key grantmakers.
This will help you identify grant amounts and priorities.
- Event invitations, news releases and local newspaper articles
often list who funded various programs and events.
Corporate funding
- EDGAR,
the database from the Securities and Exchange Commission, has
information on public companies that have filed SEC reports
since January 1994.
- Hoover's
Online - search or browse for companies.
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Have you
[ ] identified 12 to 15 prospective
donors?
[ ] researched their funding history,
priorities, areas of interest, deadlines?
[ ] narrowed down your list to between
2 and 8 funding prospects?
If you've completed all of these, you're ready to move
on to the next step in your fundraising journey, Making
contact with donors |
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