Strategies for Finding the Perfect Grant Opportunity

Image-focused guide on grant research tips and tools. Explore the purpose of research, patience in grant opportunity scouting, and utilizing online resources for effective grant seeking. Learn about using Google, foundation search engines, and directories to track funding opportunities.

• Grant research
• Funding opportunities
• Google search
• Foundation directories
• Nonprofit funding

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1. Finding the Perfect Grant Opportunity

2. Welcome & Introduction Briana Cook, Grants/Donor Research Assistant Email: bcook@lafoodbank.org Phone: 323-234-3030, Ext. 165 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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

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

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 9

10. FDO Search Bar 1. 2. 10

11. FDO Search Bar contd 3. 11

12. FDO Foundation Breakdown 12

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 13

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 14

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

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

17. Navigating the Foundations 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 17

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 18

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

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

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 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

27. Research Spreadsheet Example 27

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

29. Q & A 29