Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byRalf Craig Modified over 8 years ago
1
Funding Opportunities & Proposal Development for Humanitarian Organizations U.S. Private Foundations – Getting Started Faculty: Jeffrey Ritchie Director of Sponsored Programs for Lewis University
2
U.S. Foundations – Getting Started Foundation – Usually a limited number of donors (Grant Maker) Public Charity – Usually a broad donor base (Grant Recipient) Foundations fund Public Charities -No Funding to Individuals - No Religious or Political Organizations - No Private Benefit (“inurement”)
3
Foundation Funding Interests To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth – Heifer Foundation To undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of human rights – Amnesty International To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives – Save the Children Providing medical aid to those most in need regardless of their race, religion, or political affiliation – Doctors Without Borders
4
Foundation Funding Interests Foundations will typically fund: Programs that improve access Programs that improve quality Programs that increase efficiency
5
Foundation Funding Interests Foundations will typically not fund: Payments to individuals (other than disaster relief) Scientific or academic research Capital Projects Endowment Funding or Debt Elimination Private organizations (unions, veterans, fraternal organizations) Sponsorships or advertising
6
Compliance Issues To receive foundation funding, an organization must be: Registered 501(c)(3) Organization Approved for Equivalency Determination Covered by Expenditure Responsibility Partnering with a U.S.-based, 501(c)(3) Organization is often the “path of least resistance” with regard to foundation funding.
7
Where Is The Funding? Online Resources Foundation Directory Online Chronicle of Philanthropy The Grantsmanship Center Grant Forward Other Resources Board Contacts Professional Contacts Associations (i.e., Council on Foundations)
8
Foundation Directory Online Features Subscription Service ($50/mo - $200/mo) Grantmaker Profiles Contact Information IRS Form 990 FDO Workspace Access Limited Access (without Enterprise Subscription)
9
Foundation Proposals – Best Practices Have a U.S. based partner (if an international entity) Have an international partner (if a U.S. based entity) Include a Program Evaluator in the proposal - University partner - Professional evaluator - Typically an allowable cost If possible, contact the Program Officer
10
Foundation Proposals – Best Practices Clearly define your target population - Sponsor may have no specific knowledge - Why these and not those? - The “shotgun” approach is never a good idea Clearly define the issue or need to be addressed - Is a formal Needs Assessment viable? - Does third-party or academic documentation exist? - Be clinical in your assessment of need
11
Program Evaluation A Nearly-Universal Expectation By Sponsors Independent program evaluation is the “Gold Standard” Evaluator and evaluation should start early Can be quantitative, qualitative, or a combination of both - What was the intervention? - To whom was it provided? - What were the short- and long-term outcomes? - Were the outcomes consistent with the objectives?
12
Logic Models Tool for planning your project - Resources - Activities/Interventions - Outputs - Outcomes (short-term & long-term) - Impact Helps to focus your activities First step in Program Evaluation
13
Sample Logic Model from Kellogg Foundation
14
Sustainability What Happens A-F? (After Funding) Can the program be designed to limit future costs? Does the program naturally “sunset” in a few years? Are other resources available?
15
Thank You! Jeffrey Ritchie, CRA Director of Sponsored Programs 815-836-5129 ritchieje@lewisu.edu
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.