For the Grantseeker

A Grantseeker's Guide to Working with Foundations

The following article was excerpted from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's 2001 Grantseeker's Guide. For more information on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation visit: www.wkkf.org.

Foundations are interested in proposed solutions that show awareness of what has been tried, and that build upon this to develop a promising, new idea. An innovation doesn't always mean that you have to reinvent the wheel. It can include improving the effectiveness of an existing program, as well as designing a completely new program.

Have you done your homework about the foundation?
An applicant that can demonstrate a close match between their mission and the mission of the foundation is more impressive than someone who has just thrown together a proposal.

Are you determined to carry out the project no matter what?
Foundations like to fund people who are committed to what they are doing, not people who will only do it if a funder gives them money to do so.

Do you have the know-how to make it work?
Project staff don't have to be world-famous experts in a given area. But they do need to have relevant experience and enthusiasm. Information about the key staff members involved will help show the applicant's qualifications to conduct the project.

Are you doing things for, or doing things with, the people you're trying to help?
If applicants are trying to help children, then young people should be involved in preparing the preproposal. Foundations think it's important that those who will be helped have some say in the matter. Information about the organization's board of directors and related volunteer committees will help illustrate the types of people who will lead and advise the project.

Are you investing money in the project?
This tells foundations that your organization is committed to the project, and that it is important to them. It also suggests that your project will continue after the foundation grant expires, and that your organization will do what it takes to find other funding.

Are you willing to work collaboratively with anyone who can help?
Foundations do not want to fun 18 different projects to help dropouts in a single high school. There is already too much needless duplication of social and human services. Along with saving money, collaboration also builds a cooperative spirit that is essential to solving the problems of the people.

Are you willing to let impartial evaluators assess their work?
Good evaluation is not punitive, but informative. Accuratge evaluation data is powerful tool that allows funded projects to make mid-course corrections, and helps foundations to better understand the true nature of social problems.

Will the project continue after foundation funding ceases?
Sustainability is a key word. Foundations like to consider their grants as seed money. They want to support projects of such value that they will continue to operate even after grant money runs out.l There is little sense in starting a project that is going to end tow or three years later, after foundation funding comes to an end.