Finding the Perfect Grant Opportunity

Welcome & Introduction Briana Cook, Grants/Donor Research Assistant Email: bcook@lafoodbank.org Phone: 323-234-3030, Ext. 165

The Purpose of Research To find like-minded organizations that want to support your mission Avoid bending/altering your program to fit the goals of the foundation – if you do your due diligence, you won’t need to

About Grant Opportunity Research Patience is key – finding a great opportunity can be like finding a needle in a haystack It is not an exact science Leave no stone unturned It is time (and money) well spent Get creative Use your intuition

Overview Using Google Foundation Search Engines Foundation Directory Online Research Strategies Navigating the Foundation’s Website Utilizing 990 Forms Keeping Track of Your Research

Using Google to Find Opportunities Use a variety of search phrases - “grant awards for _____”, “foundations that support ____”, “find grant money for _____”, etc. Google will often lead you to a foundation’s website or a different search engine Great to use if you already have a foundation in mind Often the most time consuming method

Foundation Search Engines Foundation Directory Online – foundationcenter.org Foundation Search – foundationsearch.com Guidestar – guidestar.org GrantStation – grantstation.com The Grantsmanship Center – tgci.com

Foundation Directory Online Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online is the most popular Relatively easy to use Expensive

Funding Information Network Free access to the Foundation Directory Online through public spaces Southern California Library – 6120 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044 Santa Monica Public Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401 La Pintoresca Branch Library – 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 Academy for Grassroots Organizations (IE United Way) – 9624 Hermosa Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

FDO Search Bar 1. 2.

FDO Search Bar cont’d 3.

FDO Foundation Breakdown

Strategy 1: Quick Search Check to see if they take unsolicited proposals or require an invite to apply Giving Categories Any restrictions (location, etc.) Grant Deadline/ Guidelines

No Unsolicited Proposals/Invite Only Although there is still hope, be sure to honor this guideline Slight difference between the two - No Unsolicited Proposals – likely approaches organizations they want to fund - Invite Only – foundation will approach specific potential grantees. May accept introductions Call the foundation to find out more OR find out if you know a board or staff member that can invite your organization

Quick Search Pros and Cons Short on time Cast a wide net Cons Not tailored specifically to your organization Likely to spend more time applying with a lower success rate

Strategy 2: Basic Search Quick search PLUS Check each foundation’s website Investigate each foundation’s 990 form

Navigating the Foundation’s Website No two websites are alike Most websites will include: - Explanation of their funding priorities - Grant guidelines – what your application will need to include - Application cycle Don’t forget to check the FAQs

990s Foundations are required to make their 990s public Great way to check what a foundation says against what they do There is a lot of information in the 990 including - Contact People and address - Officers - Previous giving

Where to find 990s Foundation Directory Online – Free Foundation’s website Google Search

Strategy 3: Deep Search Basic Search PLUS Analyze foundations’ giving patterns Check Board and Staff Members and make contact/introduction

Creative Strategies Look on similar organizations’ websites/ annual reports to see who funds them Search keywords in 990s database to find new foundations Search News tab in Google

Intuition No matter what you find in your research, you will use your intuition to decide whether or not to apply Know when to move on from a foundation

Scenario 1 An associate tells you that XYZ Family Foundation gives large grants to several organizations similar to yours HOWEVER, in their guidelines, they specify that their giving is restricted to Orange County Option 1: Look up their recent 990s to see if they stay true to this restriction Option 2: Contact the Foundation directly to ask about giving in Los Angeles County giving Option 3: Analyze the relationship between your associate and the Foundation Option 4: Move on

Scenario 2 XYZ Foundation appears to be a perfect match that gives in your area You look at their 990s and see that the bulk of their funding goes to one organization every year Option 1: Apply anyway Option 2: Contact the Foundation to ask if they recommend that you apply Option 3: Look up the board or staff to find a connection Option 4: Move on

Scenario 3 XYZ Foundation is perfect BUT They don’t take unsolicited proposals Option 1: Look at their 990s – if their giving is diverse you might have a chance with an introduction - Call or send a letter of introduction without an “ask” Option 2: Move on

Keeping Track of Your Research Be sure to keep track of your research Don’t just save the link Extract the important information (i.e. relevant giving categories, grant range, deadlines, contacts) and organize in a spreadsheet Once you’ve decided a foundation is a good fit add it to your grants calendar Keep track of when and if contact has been made

Research Spreadsheet Example

Closing Thoughts Be patient Be thorough Be genuinely curious Use several strategies Look for matches, not money

Q & A