Funding Strategies 101: Planning and Securing a Diversified Funding Portfolio Presented by: Jenn Daly Development & Communications Director Powerful Schools, Seattle

Today’s Objectives  Share background about Powerful Schools’ funding journey  Introduce new funding opportunities – how are foundation/corporation grants different than government grants  Searching for opportunities – where does one find new funding streams?  Putting on a different hat - How to look at and present your work in a way that attracts new funding streams  Creating a funding plan – replacing one large funding stream with diverse support, where to spend your time Funding Strategies 101

Powerful Schools Funding Strategies 101

Government vs. Foundations Government  Multi-year funding  Large – often cover full program expenses  Administered by experts/people who know field  Extensive/deep application and reporting process Funding Strategies 101 Foundations  Typically make gifts annually or bi-annually  Amounts range, but rarely cover more than 10% of budget  Foundation staff manage multiple grants/funding interests  Grant application and reporting process range

Finding Grant Sources  Funders already funding similar work  Internet  Google Search  Network, Network, Network!  Paid Search Sources  Industry related Publications (Chronicle of Philanthropy)  Foundation Search Websites (  Subscription to updates ( Funding Strategies 101

Understanding the Funder  What is the funder’s areas of interest?  What sort of expenses are they willing to fund? (program, general operating, supplies)  When do they accept applications?  Do they provide a contact person to call? Funding Strategies 101

How Should Requests Differ? Government  Decision makers have first hand knowledge of industry  Proposal - Very detailed and deep-dive your program  Case – Based on outputs and outcomes  Budget – forms, enter costs/expenses Funding Strategies 101 Foundations  Decision makers range, rarely are they experts of all areas they fund  Proposal - Limited space to communicate need  Case- Want outputs/ outcomes, but often respond to stories (paint a picture)  Budget – simple, express what’s in application

Proposal Examples  Less space to paint a broader picture  Application avenues with vary: online forms, clear directions about what they want, vague directions to submit proposal  LOI – what’s that?  Examples - CAN-Act? - Powerful Schools Funding Strategies 101

How Should Requests Differ? Government  Decision makers have first hand knowledge of industry  Proposal - Very detailed and deep-dive your program  Case – Based on outputs and outcomes  Budget – forms, enter costs/expenses Funding Strategies 101 Foundations  Decision makers range, rarely are they experts of all areas they fund  Proposal - Limited space to communicate need  Case- Want outputs/ outcomes, but often respond to stories (paint a picture)  Budget – simple, express what’s in application

Case Examples  Remember your reader – write like your telling your brother/sister/friend about what you do  Connect your work to the funders priorities  Outcomes, how we communicate those in less space  Leverage stories – making our work “real” Funding Strategies 101

How Should Requests Differ? Government  Decision makers have first hand knowledge of industry  Proposal - Very detailed and deep-dive your program  Case – Based on outputs and outcomes  Budget – forms, enter costs/expenses Funding Strategies 101 Foundations  Decision makers range, rarely are they experts of all areas they fund  Proposal - Limited space to communicate need  Case- Want outputs/ outcomes, but often respond to stories (paint a picture)  Budget – simple, express what’s in application

Budget Examples  Budget Examples  Budget Strategies  Non-program costs – what do we need vs. what are we used to? Funding Strategies 101

Creating a Plan  Create a system for keeping track of applications, due dates, etc…  Example – my system Funding Strategies 101

Recap Objectives  Introduce new funding opportunities – how are foundation/corporation grants different than government grants  How do you find new funding streams?  Putting on a different hat - How to look at and present your work in a way that attracts new funding streams  Creating a funding plan – replacing one large funding stream with a diverse support Funding Strategies 101

Questions? Funding Strategies 101

Quick Survey?  Do you feel more confident in your ability to search and apply to new funding sources? Funding Strategies 101

Resources Funding Strategies 101 Grant Searches  Industry related Publications like Chronicle of Philanthropy (  Foundation search sites (  Subscription to updates ( Grant Writing  Grantsmanship Center (  Local community college courses  Grant writing professional associations (  How-to books