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Initiative Foundation Mission

Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Research and Writing Linda Holliday, Vice President for Organizational Development. Initiative Foundation Mission. Unlock the power of central Minnesota people to build and sustain thriving communities. Our Service Area. What we do….

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Initiative Foundation Mission

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  1. Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Research and Writing Linda Holliday, Vice President for Organizational Development

  2. Initiative Foundation Mission Unlock the power of central Minnesota people to build and sustain thriving communities.

  3. Our Service Area

  4. What we do… • Make grants and loans • Provide donor Services • Provide leadership training and assistance • Inspire local giving

  5. Where are you coming from? What are your expectations?

  6. Topics to be Covered • Funding Sources • Program/Project Planning • Foundation Research • Proposal Components • Evaluation • Grant Review/follow-up

  7. Who Gives Us Money?Minnesota Trends Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations

  8. Foundation Types • Private • Corporate • Community/ Public Community/Public 6% Corporate 9% Private 85% Minnesota

  9. Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area

  10. Areas of Giving in MN Grantmaking by Subject Area

  11. MN Foundation TrendsGrantmaking by Geographic Service Area Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations

  12. Who Gets the Money? • 501(c) 3 Nonprofit Organizations • Local Units of Government / Federally Recognized Tribes • School Districts

  13. Start with a Clear Plan • DO: Have a clear plan and then identify potential $$ • DO NOT: See available $$ and design a project that may or may not be a fit Planning Activity

  14. Workplan Worksheet Low birth weights Nutrition class for expectant parents Parents, public health nurses, high school development class, U of M Extension Expectant parents School space/kitchen, Lions/Rotary $, Child Development class Family Center staff Food, transportation, staffing, postage, instructional supplies… Nine months from now

  15. Researching Funders • Area of Interest • Types of Support • Operating • Planning • Start up • Project/Program • Capital • Endowment • Geographic Focus Funder Research Activity

  16. MN Guide to Grantmakers • User Friendly! • Strong Recommendation! • $175-1,035 /year • Up to nine users • Free pass today!

  17. Funder Research Activity 1. Sheltering Arms Foundation2. At risk children / 0-33. Greater MN okay4. Project/Start Up 5. $10,0006. Yes7. Letter of Inquiry

  18. Inquiry Letter vs. Proposal Letter of Inquiry • Who are you • Why are you applying to this foundation • Brief description of the program • Rationale and purpose of program • Amount you want to request

  19. Proposal Components • Cover Letter • Executive Summary • Organizational Information • Need/Situation • Project/Activities/Methods • Outcome/Evaluation • Budget/Budget Narrative • Supplementary/Attachments

  20. The Cover Letter • 2- 4 paragraphs • Describe purpose • Background • Amount of funds requested • Timelines • THANK YOU!

  21. Executive Summary Summarize project at the start of a proposal • Typically two paragraphs to one page • Describe purpose • Background • Amount of funds requested • Timelines • See ES Examples

  22. Organizational Background One - two pages that tell: • History • Mission • Who you serve • Programs & Successes!

  23. Need Statement • Describe situation/issue/need • Explain why it is important • Don’t assume funder has knowledge of your area - you are the expert • Explain program benefits • Does not have to be all deficit model

  24. Project Activities/ Methodology What does your organization plan to do about the situation, issue or opportunity? • What project planning has taken place • Target audience • Units of service • Who will do the work • Start and end dates

  25. Intended Outcomes/Evaluation • So What? • What change is going to take place?

  26. An Outcome Recipe INPUTS: $$, staff, volunteers, clients OUTPUTS: Classes taught, educational materials distributed, participants served OUTCOMES: Change in skills, attitudes, behavior, new knowledge, increased skills, improved conditions

  27. Outcome Levels • Initial outcomes • change in knowledge, skills or attitude • Intermediate outcomes • change in behavior • Long-term outcomes • change in condition, status or situation

  28. Outputs vs. Outcomes Exercise • Incarcerated parents attend an early childhood workshop. • Incarcerated parents read more to their children during visiting hours. • The food shelf hires a new program manager. • There are fewer “missed meals” in the City of Brainerd. • New immigrants receive ESL training. • Immigrants report feeling less isolated.

  29. The Budget • Project vs. Organizational • Revenue • Earned income • Contributed income • Expenses • Personnel • Direct project expenses • Administrative or overhead See sample budget

  30. Supplementary Materials • IRS 501(c)3 determination letter • Letters of support • Financial statements • Board approval • Resumes • What NOT to include...

  31. Tracking your Proposals Have a clear plan to track: • Upcoming grants • Pending grants • Funder reports • Grants denied See sample tracking form

  32. The Site Visit Be prepared, organized and educated!

  33. The Minnesota Council on Foundations: www.mcf.org The Foundation Center: www.fdncenter.org The Initiative Foundation: www.ifound.org See handouts! Other Resources

  34. Thank YOU! Did we meet your expectations?

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