Creating Successful Foundation Proposals
Everyone wants to know how to write a successful grant proposal to a foundation……
I spent many years seeking funds to operate an organization whose mission was vital for the community. And, as CEO of the Saint Luke’s Foundation, I spent years reading hundreds of proposals from organizations seeking funding. I’ve learned a lot and sharing it seems like my civic duty!
Here are some crucial tips:
1. Do your homework. Research foundations whose missions might speak to the work you do. It isn’t worth it to seek funds that don’t fit the purpose of the foundation. You may think that your organization could be the exception, but it rarely will be.
2. Call first. At one point in my career, I was hesitant to call as I didn’t want to bother the foundation’s program officer. But, in fact, foundation staff are likely very willing and interested in talking. They will want to understand what you do and explore what you might be thinking. They can help you. They can also expound on their work and the mission of their foundation. Not only does this call show genuine interest, but it can prevent you from submitting an application that will not be approved.
3. Don’t bend your programming to fit the mission of a foundation. If you do manage to do this successfully (and some foundations see through this), you will need to deliver on it and this means adding additional work while the hole in your general operating funds remains.
4. Follow the instructions! This means answering the question that is asked on the form (and not responding with an answer that isn’t on point). This shows that you are listening carefully and enables the reader to consider your answer in the context of what they are looking for. Foundations are intentional in the questions they ask because it is those answers they want to use to make decisions.
5. When you see a character limit for a question on an application don’t feel the need to take up all of the space. Remember, there is someone on the other end who is reading every word and extra words or information that don’t speak to the question can make things harder to get through for the reader. Proper grammar also helps that ease of reading, so pay attention to that.
6. If you don’t receive the grant – email or call and ask why and what you might do differently next time. One “no” doesn’t always indicate a dead end to a relationship with a funder.
7. Stay in touch throughout the year. You needn’t bombard the Foundation with reporting, but sending a newsletter, news article or a story of success would be a good idea – foundations want to hear that they made a difference. They invested in your work. If you have a meaningful event such as an annual meeting, press conference, legislative breakfast, or neighborhood event, make sure to invite the foundation staff.
8. Never neglect the timeline for reports. The foundation isn’t just trying to make you go through bureaucratic hoops. They are invested in your success and hopefully in your challenges. What you learned might include discovery of a better way to do things. A foundation is likely to want to go along with you on that journey of continuous improvement.
In the big picture, checks matter as much as partnership. You may not believe it, but signing checks doesn’t provide sustainable career satisfaction! Partnering and supporting people and organizations in efforts to strengthen their work is what brings meaning to the work and the staff of a foundation. Your success is in part their success. Remember that your supporters are cheering for you!