1. Finding the Perfect Grant Opportunity

2. Welcome & Introduction
Briana Cook, Grants/Donor Research Assistant Phone: , Ext. 165

3. The Purpose of Research
To find like-minded organizations that want to support your mission
Avoid bending/altering your program to fit the goals of the foundation – if you do your due diligence, you won’t need to

4. About Grant Opportunity Research
Patience is key – finding a great opportunity can be like finding a needle in a haystack
It is not an exact science
Leave no stone unturned
It is time (and money) well spent
Get creative
Use your intuition

5. Overview Using Google Foundation Search Engines
Foundation Directory Online
Research Strategies
Navigating the Foundation’s Website
Utilizing 990 Forms
Keeping Track of Your Research

6. Using Google to Find Opportunities
Use a variety of search phrases
- “grant awards for _____”, “foundations that support ____”, “find grant money for _____”, etc.
Google will often lead you to a foundation’s website or a different search engine
Great to use if you already have a foundation in mind
Often the most time consuming method

7. Foundation Search Engines
Foundation Directory Online – foundationcenter.org
Foundation Search – foundationsearch.com
Guidestar – guidestar.org
GrantStation – grantstation.com
The Grantsmanship Center – tgci.com

8. Foundation Directory Online
Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online is the most popular
Relatively easy to use
Expensive

9. Funding Information Network
Free access to the Foundation Directory Online through public spaces
Southern California Library – 6120 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
Santa Monica Public Library – 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
La Pintoresca Branch Library – 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Academy for Grassroots Organizations (IE United Way) –
9624 Hermosa Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

10. FDO Search Bar
1. 2.

11. FDO Search Bar cont’d 3.

12. FDO Foundation Breakdown

13. Strategy 1: Quick Search
Check to see if they take unsolicited proposals or require an invite to apply
Giving Categories
Any restrictions (location, etc.)
Grant Deadline/ Guidelines

14. No Unsolicited Proposals/Invite Only
Although there is still hope, be sure to honor this guideline
Slight difference between the two
- No Unsolicited Proposals – likely approaches organizations they want to fund
- Invite Only – foundation will approach specific potential grantees. May accept introductions
Call the foundation to find out more OR find out if you know a board or staff member that can invite your organization

15. Quick Search Pros and Cons
Short on time
Cast a wide net
Cons
Not tailored specifically to your organization
Likely to spend more time applying with a lower success rate

16. Strategy 2: Basic Search
Quick search PLUS
Check each foundation’s website
Investigate each foundation’s 990 form

17. Navigating the Foundation’s Website
No two websites are alike
Most websites will include:
- Explanation of their funding priorities
- Grant guidelines – what your application will need to include
- Application cycle
Don’t forget to check the FAQs

18. 990s Foundations are required to make their 990s public
Great way to check what a foundation says against what they do
There is a lot of information in the 990 including
- Contact People and address
- Officers
- Previous giving

19. Where to find 990s Foundation Directory Online – Free
Foundation’s website
Google Search

20. Strategy 3: Deep Search Basic Search PLUS
Analyze foundations’ giving patterns
Check Board and Staff Members and make contact/introduction

21. Creative Strategies
Look on similar organizations’ websites/ annual reports to see who funds them
Search keywords in 990s database to find new foundations
Search News tab in Google

22. Intuition
No matter what you find in your research, you will use your intuition to decide whether or not to apply
Know when to move on from a foundation

23. Scenario 1
An associate tells you that XYZ Family Foundation gives large grants to several organizations similar to yours
HOWEVER, in their guidelines, they specify that their giving is restricted to Orange County
Option 1: Look up their recent 990s to see if they stay true to this restriction
Option 2: Contact the Foundation directly to ask about giving in Los Angeles County giving
Option 3: Analyze the relationship between your associate and the Foundation
Option 4: Move on

24. Scenario 2
XYZ Foundation appears to be a perfect match that gives in your area
You look at their 990s and see that the bulk of their funding goes to one organization every year
Option 1: Apply anyway
Option 2: Contact the Foundation to ask if they recommend that you apply
Option 3: Look up the board or staff to find a connection
Option 4: Move on

25. Scenario 3 XYZ Foundation is perfect BUT
They don’t take unsolicited proposals
Option 1: Look at their 990s – if their giving is diverse you might have a chance with an introduction
- Call or send a letter of introduction without an “ask”
Option 2: Move on

26. Keeping Track of Your Research
Be sure to keep track of your research
Don’t just save the link
Extract the important information (i.e. relevant giving categories, grant range, deadlines, contacts) and organize in a spreadsheet
Once you’ve decided a foundation is a good fit add it to your grants calendar
Keep track of when and if contact has been made

27. Research Spreadsheet Example

28. Closing Thoughts Be patient Be thorough Be genuinely curious
Use several strategies
Look for matches, not money

29. Q & A