1. Show Me the Money! $$$ Navigating the World of Family & Private Foundation Grants Fred J. Markham, Executive Director Texas Pioneer Foundation Erica V. Ekwurzel, CFRE Advocacy In Motion

2. Agenda Understanding the Foundation Landscape – Statistics on Family & Private Grant Programs – How the Process Works LOI  Application  Board Decision  Report/Follow-up Tips on finding the right Foundation – Find a Foundation near and dear to you – Effective techniques to approaching funders – Importance of Cultivation & Stewardship Tools to Flex Your Grantseeking Skills

3. Bookend Model of Success One-Time Donation to Program Investment District & community-driven priority Specific in ask – Early Childhood pilot Targeted in outreach to funder

4. Landscape of Grantmaking Entities Types of Funding Organizations – Corporate giving programs – Community foundations – Grantmaking public charities – Private foundations Family Independent Corporate

5. Fascinating Facts on Foundations In 2010 there were 88,800 active, private foundations in the U.S. Over 90% (83,113) had endowments of less than $10 million with $88 billion in total endowments. Most of these are family foundations. Private foundations are required to make grants of at least 5% of their average assets annually. 5% of $88 billion = $4.4 billion. 70% make grants for educational purposes.

6. How Foundations Operate Characteristics of small foundations: Few or no staff Keep a low profile Tendency to fund locally Don’t belong to associations or attend annual conferences of funders Make grants to nonprofit organizations with which they are personally acquainted Many do not consider unsolicited requests Best to approach through personal relationships

7. How the Grantmaking Process Works Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Brief Amount requested Specific purpose of funds Why it is needed Who it will help & how many What you hope to accomplish

8. Importance of the Ask: People Give to People In a recent survey of family foundations by Foundation Source, 58% said it is very important that: “Someone I know and respect is closely involved or has asked me to support the project.”

9. Finding Family & Private Grantmakers Network locally Online resources: – Foundation Center: www.foundationcenter.orgwww.foundationcenter.org – Guidestar: www.guidestar.orgwww.guidestar.org – Urban Institute: http://nccs.urban.org/statisticshttp://nccs.urban.org/statistics – CTEF Giving Profile: www.centraltexasedfunders.orgwww.centraltexasedfunders.org – FC Cooperating Collections: http://foundationcenter.org/collections/cctx.html 20+ Cooperating Collections around Texas Electronic & Print Resources such as: – The Foundation Directory Online Professional – Philanthropy In/Sight – After the Grant: The Nonprofit's Guide to Good Stewardship (2010) – Board Member's Book (2003)…..and MUCH MORE!

10. Quick Demonstration on finding Grantmakers Online National Center for Charitable Statistics  search by Texas County  view Board Members  see Past Grants (by IRS Form 990s)

11. Urban Institute - NCCS

12. Texas County Detail

13. How to Apply Full Proposal Many foundations have their own application. Most small foundations do not want a long proposal. Be direct and honest. Be accountable to project goals and budget needs. Cut the jargon talk. State how your work differs from other similar organizations/programs.

14. Target Prospecting Private Foundation Website Grant guidelines & funding priorities Grant process & timeline Annual reports Staff biographies Grant success stories General information/FAQ

15. Tools to Refine Search & Outreach

16. Timing of Grant Cycles Don’t Expect Quick Results Often part-time philanthropists Small or no staff 3 or 4 funding cycles annually

17. What to do if funder says “No.” Don’t Let a Rejection Discourage You Rejection is part of the process of finding funding Reasons for rejection may have nothing to do with the quality of your program or proposal: - Funding priorities may have changed - Reached annual quota for funding Contact them again next year. Strengthen personal relationships and program awareness.

18. Bookend Model of Success Importance of Relationship Building Engaged funder in Foundation’s activities Creative ideas to help keep Foundation top of mind, like offered school program tours, included in e- newsletter, authored press release Overall, served as a direct liaison to ISD & priorities

19. Questions & Comments Thank You! Fred MarkhamErica V. Ekwurzel fred@texaspioneer.comerica@civicaim.com www.texaspioneer.comwww.texaspioneer.com CivicAIM