How can we decide which foundations to send proposals to?
Summary:
Those which have natural ties to your organization or your program. Geographic proximity. Matching mission or goals.
Answer:
Look first to those that are located in your state, then to national
foundations that have very narrow interests which include a close fit to
your program or project. Be alert for key words or phrases in the
foundation's stated purpose and statement of limitations.
The Grantsmanship Funding Center offered this Funding Tip through their
TGCI Forum on August 23, 1996:
Community Foundations:
Many nonprofits receive their first grant from their local community
foundation. These are in fact grantmaking public charities, themselves
supported by grants and contributions. They serve as a conduit for
donors who may not have the resources or the desire to start a
foundation of their own, but who still want their grantmaking to be
professionally managed. The key point for grantseekers to keep in mind
is that community foundations only support agencies or organizations in
a specific locale. You won't get funding from the New York Community
Trust if your agency is located in Vermont. (In a few cases, the
"community" is an entire state--as with the Arizona Community
Foundation.) Get to know your local community foundation. Not only is it
a potential source of financial support, it is likely to be valuable
resource for information, as well as a focus for networking with other
nonprofits in your area. To access a list of community foundations that
have a Web site, go to: http://www.tgci.com/resources/foundations/community/index.html
