From the Answer Desk: Not Accepting Applications

(This post is from Katie Artzner, the Foundation Center's online reference specialist)

In our library and through our online Ask Us service, we are often asked: How can my organization cultivate a relationship with a foundation that isn't accepting applications or that gives only to pre-selected organizations?

Common reasons that foundations are not accepting applications include: the foundation has an internal process for identifying and selecting its grantees each year; it has been legally set up for the benefit of specific organizations; or it does not have the capacity to receive and review a lot of proposals.

To determine if a foundation that is not accepting applications should become a prospect for your organization, look at grants made by the foundation over the past several years. You can do this by using our free 990 Finder to view the foundation's tax return, the IRS Form 990-PF. Is the foundation funding the same organizations each year? Is it funding in the same fields of interest or the same geographic location each year? Or, does the foundation's grantmaking vary from year to year? Your strategy for cultivating a relationship with this foundation lies in the answers to these types of questions.

If you find that the foundation makes grants to the same organizations year after year, your organization's interests might be better served by moving on to other prospects that are accepting applications.

If the foundation appears to vary its grantmaking from year to year, has an interest in your field, and makes grants in your geographic location, you might start the cultivation process by asking your board members, key donors, and influential supporters if they know any of the foundation's board members or staff and if they are willing to introduce your organization to them. Alternately, you could send a letter that introduces your organization, explaining how it connects with the foundation's giving interests. Please note that the letter should not include a funding request, but should ask how the foundation selects its grantees and if you can meet with them or provide more information about your organization.

Do you have a question? Ask Us!

--Katie Artzner

Comments

[Bill Huddleston, CFC Expert]

10th Largest "Foundation" has "Open Admissions" Policy.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) - World's Largest Workplace Giving Campaign generates millions of dollars of unrestricted funds each year.

In terms of actual giving, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), if it were a foundation would be the tenth largest foundation in America.

In the past five years Federal public servants have donated more than $1 billion to thousands of local, national, and international nonprofits. Your nonprofit has to meet the criteria, but if your meet the criteria you're in.

If you would like to learn more, please go to the CFCfundraising.com website and request the CFC special report.

Thanks,
Bill Huddleston, CFC Expert
BillHuddleston@verizon.net
www.cfcfundraising.com