1. Introduction to Grants Research

2. Introduction to Grants Research
Associated Grant Makers
A regional membership association of grant makers, made up of 126+ public, private, and corporate grant making organizations in Mass. & NH
AGM’s Nonprofit Partners Program includes more than 900 nonprofit organizations
AGM acts as a bridge of communication, interests, and understanding between the grant makers and the grant seekers.
Resource Center for Philanthropy
Access to AGM’s Grantmaker Directory & Foundation Directory Online
Books, journals, reports on philanthropy, proposals, nonprofit orgs
Hours: Open to the Public, Mon-Friday 12 – 5 pm
Martha Moore x16

3. Things you should know Lots of competition for grant $
Most funders fund locally – especially in NE
Individual donors give much more than foundations ($229B vs. $39B)
If you are not a 501(c)3 use a fiscal sponsor
Best results come from knowing the foundation before you ask for $$
Connections count – use them!
Education $4,944, %
Elementary/Secondary = 7%

4. Government Grants Federal http://www.grants.gov
Look under Category=Education or under Dept. of Education
State
search for “grants”
Funding Update
weekly.asp
Resources for Government Funding
Government/Business Grants Information

5. Basic Steps in Finding Funding
Background Research
Prospects Research
Proposal Writing
Follow-Up & Re-tooling

6. Background Research Your Organization Program/Project Expenses
Mission statement
Timelines
Highlights
Program/Project
Specific goals
Geography & populations served
Impact statement
Expenses
Total Budget
Project, program budget
Human, non-human expenses
Amounts funded by other grants, donations
Evaluation

7. Prospect Research Establish your list of targets
Match goals, geo-focus, pop-focus, timelines, and grants size
Use multiple search strategies, angles
Research each prospect, target in depth
Website, annual reports, FC Foundation 1000
Which approach for which funder?
Set priorities
Closeness of the “match”
Proposal guidelines
Deadlines

8. FAQ’s Can I do proposals to multiple foundations at the same time?
If I target multiple foundations should I ask for the full amount or a % of the total?
What happens if more than one funder says Yes!

9. RFP’s
The Foundation Center’s RFP Bulletin (
AGM’s RFP Listing
City of Boston Funding Update Mailing List
Trade Association web sites
Individual foundation’s web sites

10. Approaching a funder Letter of introduction Build Awareness
Introduce your project, your organization
Highlight the synergy between your goals & theirs
Do NOT ask for funding
Letter of Inquiry Engage their Interest
A proposal in the form of a letter
All of the above but outline your financial needs as well (broadly)
Full formal proposal: common application, online application

11. Key Websites
Associated Grant Makers and the Resource Center for Philanthropy
The Foundation Center
Info on Education Grants
Boston Indicators Project [statistics on Boston and the region]
Grantmakers in Education
Technology Grant News

12. Samples, examples Tips for Writing Government Grant Proposals
Nonprofit Guides
Foundation Center’s List of Common Proposal Forms
FC’s Examples of Proposals
AGM’s Guide to Grant Maker Research
Grassroots grants

13. Beyond the Proposal Invest the time in research Be organized
Be ready with further details
Send acknowledgements, even if rejected
Keep them updated on major events
Stay focused
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Build the relationship, the partnership

14. Questions
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