The Metro Atlanta Association of Grant Professionals hosted their first Foundation Forum on September 30. The forum featured representatives from the Junior League of Atlanta, SunTrust Bank Foundations & Endowments Specialty, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, as well as the Jesse Parker Williams Foundation and the Bettie and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation. With such a diverse set of perspectives, the panel was well-equipped to provide a number of valuable insights into the
grantmaking community.
The forum covered three main topics:
- the effect of the recession on giving,
- communication with grantmakers, and
- what makes a successful proposal
Key points for grantseekers:
Both private and corporate foundations have seen a significant drop in assets, spurring conversations about whether to overspend to maintain current giving levels, or to give more conservatively. While some foundations have decided to maintain their grantmaking levels and others have taken a more conservative approach, one trend all of the panelists noted was a shift toward more strategic giving.
With fewer funds available for grantmaking, foundations want their existing resources to make the greatest possible impact in their areas of interest, and are increasingly viewing their giving as an investment. Rather than being concerned with basic outputs, such as how many people a program might serve, foundations want to know what outcomes and impact that a program is expected to
produce.
For more information about outcomes and how to measure them, see the Foundation Center’s new resource, TRASI.
Foundations are also increasingly interested in three areas of nonprofit activity: (1) new and creative approaches to problems, (2) collaboration between organizations, and (3) convening, in which nonprofits doing similar work are not only aware of each other, but are coming together to network, discuss, and learn from each other. By investing in nonprofits that are taking part in these activities, foundations are able to better leverage their resources to achieve a particular outcome.
For real-life examples of nonprofits working together, see our Nonprofit Collaboration Database.
Communicating with foundations may seem daunting, but many foundations are very interested in working with nonprofits before and during the proposal process. In the words of one panelist, "One of my chief jobs is to be your coach." As several panelists suggested, rather than wasting time and resources on a proposal that might not be the best fit for a given foundation, a simple phone call to discuss the idea can help make a better match and a stronger proposal.
Contacting a foundation’s board members or trustees can be a tricky business. While it is possible for a grantseeker to leverage his or her organization’s connections, how one goes about it is crucial. One panelist, for example, specifically asks potential applicants not to contact the foundation’s trustees. A good rule of thumb: "If you’ve seen one private foundation, you’ve seen one private foundation." Each funder is unique, so be strategic about your approach and ask permission if you're not sure.
A successful proposal starts with following all the guidelines to the letter, including all requested materials, and being clear and concise. Getting the basics straight will take the proposal a long way. The budget in particular is very important, and foundations like to see strong, sustainable funding. It is also a good idea to tailor the proposal as much as possible according to what is known about the foundation and its interests.
For more resources on developing successful proposals, including training, FAQs, and sample documents, see our new GrantSpace online learning community.
MAAGP is the local chapter of the Grant Professionals Association (formerly AAGP), a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership association that builds and supports the international community of grant professionals. For more information about MAAGP and future events, visit their web site at
www.maagp.org.
Elyse Klova, Program Assistant, Foundation Center-Atlanta
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