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Grant Research for Nonprofits Kathleen O’Keeffe, Librarian
Joyce Mork-O’Brien, Grant Writer
image from foundationcenter.org
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Funding information for nonprofits in the Puget Sound area
Foundation CenterFunding Information Network partners
in Washington State
• Redmond• Seattle• UW Tacoma• Bremerton
•Bellingham• Port Townsend• Spokane
Private Philanthropy: The Big Picture
Giving USA 2012
Giving USA 2012
As you consider grants . . .
Note to self: you are looking for a grant to meet a community need, not the needs of your organization.
What needs are you meeting?
What are your specific goals?
How much do you need?
Who are you serving?
What is the time frame?
How will you measure the success of your project?
What kind of support are you seeking?
IF Your Project:
Fills a demonstrated need in a distinctive way
Includes alliances with other orgs working on related issues
Is realistic in scope
Demonstrates your capacity to manage it properly and report on its effectivenessTHEN YOU HAVE
INCREASED YOUR CHANCES FOR FUNDING.
Preparation
Devote 80% of time to researchAbout your projectAbout funder
Allow 20% of time for proposal writing
The best proposal won’t convince the wrong funder.
Types of Foundations: Private
• Nongovernmental, nonprofit organization (specific legal entity)
• Have own funds or endowment• Three types:– Independent– Operating– Corporate
Average foundation grant for past decade: $5000.
Corporate Foundations
– Separate legal entities, maintain close ties with the parent company. Their giving usually reflects company interests.
– Must meet the public disclosure requirements of foundations.
– Have small endowments.
Average corporate gift in last decade = $2500.
IRS Requirementsfor Private Foundations
• 5% payout every year
• Requires “increased scrutiny” if the foundation gives to individuals
• Must file annual 990-PF form
IRS 990-PFProvides info on:
FinancialsBoard
MembersEvery Grant
Given– To Whom– For How Much– For What
Sample 990 PF: List of Grants Made by Aven Foundation in 2011excerpt
Public Foundations (or Charities)• Community foundations
– Seattle Foundation– Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
• Population or issue-oriented funds– MS Foundation– Sierra Club
Public charities file IRS 990
Not Foundations:Corporate Giving Programs
– Not separate legal entities - no public reporting requirement, no endowments
– May include employee matching gifts and in-kind gifts
– Programs are designed to benefit employees
and families, or communities with company operations
– May include sponsorships, employee volunteers, board members.
Q: How do you find potential funders for your project?
A: Start at the Nonprofit & Philanthropy Resource Center at the Redmond Library
4 grants databases and individual assistance in
using them.
Database #1:Foundation Directory Online
Professional Edition
102,000 Foundations & Corporate Giving Programs Over 2.2 million grants
700,000+ Fully Searchable 990s Updated Weekly
Sample Search
Results
Foundation Profile
Who funds similar organizations?
Search Results
Sample 990 Search
SPECIAL FEATURE OF FDO: 990S ARE SEARCHABLE BY KEYWORD OR PHRASE
Sample Results
Database #2:GrantStation
8,000+ Foundations & Corporate Funders
Active programs only State & Federal Grant Programs
International Grants Excellent articles
GrantStation
Posts Federal deadlines bi-weekly Lists state agencies if have grant programs
Database #3:Philanthropy Northwest
Funders Directory
• Give $750 Million Annually• WA, OR, ID, MT, AK, WY• 194 Foundations & Corporations
Free Publications on philanthropynw.org
Database #4:NOZA Search
Foundations, Corporations, Individuals Adds 1,000,000 Grant records monthly Search by category, amount, city or state
Further Research
• Learn as much as you can about the funding source – from their website (if they have one)– Study 2 or 3 years of 990s– Find newspaper and magazine articles (use periodical
databases from www.kcls.org)
Beyond Foundations
• Service Clubs• Fraternal Organizations• Professional & Trade Associations• Unions• Military• Heritage• Hobby• Faith Community
Additional Resources
Supporting data for your proposal
• http://factfinder2.census.gov
• http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/PSB/Demographics/DataReports.aspx
www.kcls.org/philanthropy
• Updated regularly• Nonprofit
Calendar
Puget Sound Grantwriters Associationwww.grantwriters.org
• 6 lunchtime meetings per year, at the REI Flagship Store in Seattle
• Sample topics from this year: • The Secrets of Site Visits• Next Generation Philanthropists• Program Evaluation: Perspectives from Puget
Sound Funders and Nonprofit Leaders
• Annual Conference: Nov. 1, 2013Scholarships available – deadline is October 11th.
Nonprofits Front & Center 2013Perfecting Your Pitch for Maximum Impact:
Effective Marketing for Nonprofits
An evening with Erica Mills, nonprofit marketing
expert and principal of Claxon Marketing.
Thursday, Dec. 5th7:00 – 8:30 pm
Redmond Library
Nonprofit & Philanthropy Resource Center
• Free access to grants databases• Free instruction on conducting database searches• Materials on nonprofits, fundraising, grant writing• Workshops
Check our website and calendar often!
