1. Presented by Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
2/11/2010
Foundation Funding
Presented by Office of Research
and Sponsored Programs (ORSP)
Delia Gallinaro, Director

2. Foundation Funding Introduction
2/11/2010
Foundation Funding Introduction
Purpose
Project Scope
Funding limit
Tip: Add your own speaker notes here.

3. Project Scope Pilot project Develop a model Specific activity
2/11/2010
Project Scope
Pilot project
Develop a model
Specific activity
Summer workshops
Training
Performance
Student involvement
Research methodology has to be approved beforehand
No limits on geographic area

4. Foundation Limitations
Research previously funded projects so your funding request is in line with awards
Usually takes 3 tries to get funded by a foundation unless a relationship exists
National foundations are very competitive, need a project that has national implications
Regional foundations best for local projects

5. Application Process Initial Phone Call to Foundation Letter of Inquiry
2/11/2010
Application Process
Initial Phone Call to Foundation
Letter of Inquiry
Letter Proposal
Full Proposal
Follow-up
Tip: Add your own speaker notes here.

6. Initial Phone Call Goals Prepare “talking points”
To introduce your organization and project
To make the connection to the funder’s philanthropic interests
To get the funder’s reaction to your project
To secure a meeting, if possible
Prepare “talking points”
Organization information
Project description (e.g., outcomes, who benefits, budget, leadership)
Reasons for approaching this funder

7. Letter of Inquiry Also called the letter of intent (LOI)
Functions like a pre-proposal
A standard LOI should not exceed 3 pages, but 2 pages are preferred
The LOI briefly responds to the “who, what, where, why, and how much”
Elements to include: need, audience, program activities, and projected outcomes
Some LOIs have brief budgets attached—atypical practice
Sample LOIs with funder’s comments

8. Letter Proposal Full proposal in a letter format
Letter proposals should not exceed 5 pages, but 2-3 pages are preferred
Elements to include: executive summary, need statement, project description, evaluation, future funding
The amount requested is also stated explicitly in the letter— the budget is on a separate page
Appendices that might be included: nonprofit’s tax exempt certification, audited financial statements, list of board members with their affiliations
Sample letter proposals with funder’s comments

9. Components of a Proposal
2/11/2010
Components of a Proposal
Executive Summary
Statement of Need
Project Description
Budget
Organization Information
Conclusion
Tip: Add your own speaker notes here.

10. Executive Summary – 1 page
Statement of your case and summary of the entire proposal
Problem—brief statement of problem or need (1-2 paragraphs)
Solution—short description of the project (1-2 paragraphs)
Funding Requirements—amount of money required for the project and what are your plans for funding in the future (1 paragraph)
Organization and its expertise—brief statement of your agency and its capacity to carry out this proposal (1 paragraph)
TIP: It’s easier to write the executive summary last, once all your arguments and key points are solidified.

11. Statement of Need – 2 pages
Statement of need presents the facts and evidence that support the need for the project
Establish your agency understands the problems and can reasonably address them
Be succinct, yet persuasive
Decide which facts or data best support the project:
Needs assessments Surveys Focus Groups Demographic Studies
Be compelling, put a human face on the problem
Use anecdotes Make the funder feel there is hope Supply quotes

12. Project Description – 3 pages
This is the nuts and bolts of how the project will be implemented and evaluated
Objectives—Measurable, Tangible, Specific
Methods—How, When and Why?
Project Timeline
Staffing/Administration
Evaluation--How will you and the funder know if you succeed?
Sustainability—Be Specific

13. Budget – 1 page

14. Budget – 1 page

15. Organizational Information – 1 page
History of the Organization
Mission Statement
Geographic Location
Demographic Data
Accomplishments

16. Conclusion – 2 paragraphs
This is the place to make the final appeal for your project
Briefly restate what you want to do and why it is important
Call attention to the future, after the grant is completed
Outline follow-up activities
Begin to prepare your funders for your next funding request
Don’t be afraid to use emotion to solidify your case

17. Revise and Edit
Once the proposal is completed, put it down for a day or two
Reread it with detachment and objectivity
Do the numbers add up?
Check spelling and grammar
Is jargon eliminated?
Look for the logic of your arguments
Are you realistic in presenting your case?

18. Follow-up Suggestions
The Follow-Up Phone Call
Make sure the foundation has received your proposal
Check on the foundation’s review process
Offer to answer questions
Request a meeting
Tips:
Review the file before calling
Respect the funder’s time—keep it brief
Write a Thank You letter

20. Funding Sources PIVOT (COS)Website FoundationSearch Website
2/11/2010
Funding Sources
PIVOT (COS)Website
FoundationSearch Website
Personal Contacts
Memberships/ Associations

21. PIVOT Funding Opportunities
Helps you find the funding information you need
quickly and easily.
Provides access to the most comprehensive global source of funding opportunities—totaling billions of dollars and growing
Identifies researcher expertise from within or outside of your organization from millions of profiles from leading research organizations worldwide
Fosters collaboration by cultivating essential partnerships and alliances
Enhances communication, monitoring, and tracking amongst individual faculty, teams, or researchers and the Research Development office
Allows the focus to be on winning the necessary awards and grants
Builds strong network connections for future opportunities

22. PIVOT Funding Opportunities
Includes lesser-known funding sources, such as new or highly specialized sources, as well a conventional sources
Covers all disciplines: humanities and arts as well as the sciences
You can send opportunities to colleagues, download your results to review later, and save your searches.
Opportunities for many professional levels: faculty, post-docs, graduate students
Search tools help you target funding that is relevant to you, filtering out irrelevant records
Tools to help you manage your search effort and to communicate valuable information to other PIVOT searchers

24. Personal Home Page

25. 2/11/2010
Funding Search

26. Funding Advanced Search

27. Funding Advanced Search

28. FoundationSearch.com

33. Wrap-up Question & Answers Assessment Survey
2/11/2010
Wrap-up
Question & Answers
Assessment Survey
OFFICE of RESEARCH and SPONSORED PROGRAMS
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Roy Adams House
903 Bowers Blvd.
Phone: (936)
Fax: (936)