Grants Prospect Research Finding the right funding prospects Powerpoint and resource guide available at: http://coloradogrants.org/grants-research-webinar.php Different types of research Foundation Corporate Local, State, and Federal Government Faith-Based Civic Places to start Grants guides and databases Keyword searches Associations Resource Websites 1
States with Regional Grants Guides Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming See http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/topical/sl_dir.html for details Other tools Federal Grants Wire Grantsmanship Center Other funders UN European Commission World Bank Federal Funding Database for federal grants www.grants.gov Federal Agency websites www.epa.gov/care/community.htm www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/ www.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm www.nea.gov/grants/ 2
Narrow the prospect list Isn t more better? Competitive Best fit, alignment Tools Funder website 990 Phone calls Steps Verify/vet Narrow Ongoing grants One-time funding opportunities Focus areas Officers and staff Getting more information 3
The Grants Funded List Look on website or annual report Identify number of grants Identify size/range of grants, total giving Identify geographic focus Identify intent Education can mean adult literacy or early education. Do they give to all organizations, or just high profile ones? 4
Anschutz Family Foundation 13 5
Purpose: Introduction; gauge funder interest, get tips Strategy: Determine which project to request funds for. Have organization s leader make the call Be prepared; refine your talking points Honestly present idea(s) to see if a good fit If a proposal is not a fit for our priorities, we want you to know that We want someone to call us with questions rather than guess. It s much easier for us to do that up front, rather than having multiple people review the proposal. It makes everyone s job easier Foundation program officer 16 Useful for: Funders without websites Funders that don t disclose key info on their website 990 tax return: Lists all foundation grants Includes grant guidelines Includes list of funder s board of trustees Identifies if they accept unsolicited grant requests CSI: Finding the grants list - Foundation tax returns (Regional Grants Guides, Guidestar, Foundation Center) - Foundation Directory Online Carrying out a focused grants research campaign saves a lost of wasted energy. 18 6
Create prospect list Track your deadlines and results Database, fund-raising software Simple table Investigate request for proposals: Deadline Restrictions Award size Geographic restriction Other potential disqualifiers Also review previous grants awarded Contact other local groups previously receiving funding Sources for grant lists: USAspending.gov Agency websites, such as www.epa.gov/care/community.htm www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/ www.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm www.nea.gov/grants/ 7
Teleconferences, webinars, question and answer periods Public process to clarify grant guidelines and purpose Takeaway Use multiple approaches Databases Keywords Affiliate/Associations Federal/state agency websites Lists of previously funded grants, annual reports Generate larger lists Vet your prospects Apply to only funders that are a great fit 8
Thank you! Powerpoint and resource guide available at: http://coloradogrants.org/grants-researchwebinar.php coloradogrants.org 303-800-5452 Sandiegogrants.org 858-736-9400 9