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Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Research and Writing
Linda Holliday, Vice President for Organizational Development
Initiative Foundation Mission
Unlock the power of central Minnesota people to build and sustain thriving communities.
Our Service Area
What we do…
• Make grants and loans
• Provide donor Services
• Provide leadership training and assistance
• Inspire local giving
Where are you coming from?
What are your expectations?
Topics to be Covered
• Funding Sources• Program/Project Planning• Foundation Research• Proposal Components• Evaluation• Grant Review/follow-up
Who Gives Us Money?Minnesota Trends
78% Individuals
10% Private Foundations
9% Corporate Foundations and Giving Programs
3% Community/Public Founda-tions
Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations
Foundation Types
• Private• Corporate • Community/
Public
Community/Public
6%
Corporate
9%Private
85%
Minnesota
Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area
26% Education22% Human Services17% Public Affairs14% Arts, Culture & Humani-ties11% Health5% Environment3% Religion2% International Affairs
Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area
MN Foundation TrendsGrantmaking by Geographic
Service Area
30% Twin Cities
10% Greater MN
8% Statewide
52% Areas Outside MN
Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations
Who Gets the Money?
•501(c) 3 Nonprofit Organizations •Local Units of Government / Federally Recognized Tribes
•School Districts
• DO: Have a clear plan and then identify potential $$
• DO NOT: See available $$ and design a project that may or may not be a fit
Planning Activity
Start with a Clear Plan
1. Low birth weights 2. Nutrition class for expectant parents3. Parents, public health nurses, high school
development class, U of M Extension 4. Expectant parents5. School space/kitchen, Lions/Rotary $, Child
Development class6. Family Center staff 7. Food, transportation, staffing, postage, instructional
supplies… 8. Nine months from now
Workplan Worksheet
• Area of Interest• Types of Support– Operating– Planning– Start up– Project/Program– Capital– Endowment
• Geographic Focus
Funder Research Activity
Researching Funders
• User Friendly!• Strong Recommendation!• $175-1,035 /year• Up to nine users
• Free pass today!
MN Guide to Grantmakers
1. Sheltering Arms Foundation2. At risk children / 0-33. Greater MN okay4. Project/Start Up5. $10,0006. Yes7. Letter of Inquiry
Funder Research Activity
Letter of Inquiry• Who are you• Why are you applying to this
foundation• Brief description of the program• Rationale and purpose of
program• Amount you want to request
Inquiry Letter vs. Proposal
• Cover Letter• Executive Summary• Organizational Information• Need/Situation• Project/Activities/Methods• Outcome/Evaluation• Budget/Budget Narrative• Supplementary/Attachments
Proposal Components
• 2- 4 paragraphs• Describe purpose• Background• Amount of funds requested• Timelines• THANK YOU!
The Cover Letter
Summarize project at the start of a proposal– Typically two paragraphs to one page• Describe purpose• Background• Amount of funds requested• Timelines
– See ES Examples
Executive Summary
One - two pages that tell: • History• Mission• Who you serve• Programs & Successes!
Organizational Background
• Describe situation/issue/need• Explain why it is important• Don’t assume funder has knowledge of
your area - you are the expert• Explain program benefits• Does not have to be all deficit model
Need Statement
What does your organization plan to do about the situation, issue or opportunity?• What project planning has taken place• Target audience• Units of service• Who will do the work• Start and end dates
Project Activities/ Methodology
• So What?•What change is going to
take place?
Intended Outcomes/Evaluation
INPUTS: $$, staff, volunteers, clients OUTPUTS: Classes taught, educational
materials distributed, participants served
OUTCOMES: Change in skills, attitudes, behavior, new knowledge, increased skills, improved conditions
An Outcome Recipe
• Initial outcomes– change in knowledge,
skills or attitude• Intermediate outcomes
– change in behavior• Long-term outcomes
– change in condition, status or situation
Outcome Levels
Outputs vs. Outcomes Exercise
• Incarcerated parents attend an early childhood workshop.
• Incarcerated parents read more to their children during visiting hours.
• The food shelf hires a new program manager. • There are fewer “missed meals” in the City of
Brainerd. • New immigrants receive ESL training. • Immigrants report feeling less isolated.
• Project vs. Organizational• Revenue
- Earned income- Contributed income
• Expenses- Personnel- Direct project expenses- Administrative or overhead
See sample budget
The Budget
• IRS 501(c)3 determination letter• Letters of support• Financial statements• Board approval• Resumes• What NOT to include...
Supplementary Materials
Have a clear plan to track:–Upcoming grants–Pending grants– Funder reports–Grants denied
See sample tracking form
Tracking your Proposals
Be prepared, organized and educated!
The Site Visit
• The Minnesota Council on Foundations: www.mcf.org
• The Foundation Center: www.fdncenter.org
• The Initiative Foundation: www.ifound.org
• See handouts!
Other Resources
Thank YOU!
Did we meet your expectations?