How to find funders that are appropriate for your organization
An online database is essential so that you have the latest information. There are numerous hard copy reference materials available at libraries, bookstores, and by mail, but the information contained in them is far more likely to be outdated than that available online. Addresses, due dates, funding focus areas, and application guidelines change often, and online databases are frequently updated. Hard copy materials are updated annually or less. A good database has extensive search options so that you can narrow down prospective funders to the ones most likely to fund your organization. The database should include the option to search by:
a. geographic location of funder
b. funding focus areas
c. types of grants made (operating, building, equipment, endowment, seed, etc.)
d. geographic focus areas
e. names of trustees
f. level of assets
g. level of giving
h. accept unsolicited requests?
i. key words
Most databases list examples of grants made by funders. A database should also have a direct link to funder’s Forms 990 so you can look up all grants made by the funder each year to get a better idea of the number of grants, average amount, types of grants, and geographic location of grants made. For example, sometimes a funder’s database listing will say they fund “nationally,” but when you look up all grants made for the last three years you find that none were in Texas. In this case you would likely have very little or no chance of success with that funder.
Very few funders only consider requests from organizations just like yours. You should search under broad categories such as social services, human services, youth development, senior citizens, education, etc.
Sample Database:
The Foundation Directory - http://fconline.fdncenter.org
There are several levels to choose from:
Professional – $179.95 per month or $1,295 annually
Full-text search capability across 250,000+ 990s; refine results with six additional search fields
- Foundation news, requests for proposals, publications, and job postings
- Affiliations for key staff members
- Custom-search capabilities within foundation grants lists
- Color charts depicting grant distributions by subject, geographic, and demographic focus
- 89,000 detailed funder profiles
- Half a million recently awarded grants
- Over 359,000 trustee, officer, and funder names – fully indexed
- Program details and application guidelines for leading foundations
- Sponsoring company information for corporate funders
- 19 search fields
Platinum – $149.95 per month or $995 annually
90,000 detailed funder profiles
- Half a million recently awarded grants
- Over 359,000 trustee, officer, and funder names – fully indexed
- Program details and application guidelines for leading foundations
- Sponsoring company information for corporate funders
- 19 search fields
Premium – $59.95 per month or $595 annually
The top 20,000 foundations
- Half a million recently awarded grants
- Over 117,000 trustee, officer, and funder names – fully indexed
- 19 search fields
Plus – $29.95 per month or $295 annually
The top 10,000 foundations
- Half a million recently awarded grants
- Over 68,000 trustee, officer, and funder names – fully indexed
- 19 search fields
Basic – $19.95 per month or $195 annually.
The top 10,000 foundations
- Over 68,000 trustee, officer, and funder names – fully indexed
- 12 search fields
Recent grants received by our clients include:
$35,000 for a community revitalization agency - for general operating expenses
$25,000 for an organization which studies religious manuscripts - for general operating expenses
$20,000 for a child care agency - for general operating expenses
$20,000 for a child abuse prevention agency - for general operating expenses
The topic of our next blog on Tuesday, July 12th, will be “General Tips about Grant Writing.”
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Murray Covens, Principal