| Most of the foundations accept applications from any | | | | organizations that are only funded periodically or if |
| nonprofit organization or ministry seeking funding. | | | | new organizations appear each year this may be a |
| There are, of course, restrictions and funding | | | | prospective funding source. |
| priorities but the church, Christian ministry, or other | | | | Next, analyze the new organizations that appear on |
| nonprofit is left to evaluate these areas and submit | | | | the Form 990 to see if they are similar to your |
| an appropriate funding inquiry. However, many smaller | | | | organization in mission, vision, and geographic area. |
| foundations do not accept applications and will include | | | | If all of these factors indicate a potential match, |
| a statement that they only give to "pre-selected | | | | proceed by Using Your Networks. |
| organizations" or that "applications are not accepted." | | | | Use your networks |
| The most common reasons that foundations do not | | | | Give a list of the foundation's board members and |
| accept applications include: | | | | staff (along with their affiliations) to your board |
| | | | members, key donors, and influential supporters. Ask |
| 1. The foundation has found that too many | | | | them if they know anyone on the list and if they are |
| organizations are submitting proposals outside of the | | | | willing to introduce your organization to them. This is |
| funding priorities. | | | | the most effective way of getting the foundation's |
| 2. The foundation has an internal process for | | | | attention. |
| identifying and selecting its grantees each year, | | | | If you do not have connections, proceed by drafting |
| usually organizations are recommended by a board | | | | a compelling letter of introduction outlying why you |
| member or trustee. | | | | are such an ideal prospect for funding. |
| 3. The foundation has been legally established for the | | | | Send a letter of introduction |
| benefit of specific organizations. | | | | If you don't have connections, you could still send a |
| 4. The foundation has been legally established by the | | | | letter that introduces your organization and explains |
| donor/founder with specific restrictions on their giving | | | | how it connects with the foundation's giving interests. |
| procedures. | | | | However, this letter should NOT include a request for |
| 5. The foundation does not have the capacity to | | | | funding. Instead, the letter should provide a brief |
| receive and review a large volume of proposals. | | | | description of your organization, ask how the |
| However, you may still want to approach foundations | | | | foundation selects its supported organizations, and |
| that do not accept applications if their giving interests | | | | request to meet with them or provide more |
| closely match your organization's mission and vision. | | | | information about your organization. This letter should |
| Being added as a new recipient for grant funding by | | | | be one page maximum! |
| a foundation "not accepting applications" happens | | | | Building a relationship can be a long process, but |
| more frequently than one would think. | | | | worth the effort. Remember these organizations are |
| We suggest a three steps procedure for approaching | | | | known to be very loyal to the organizations they |
| pre-selected foundations: | | | | fund, and if invited to apply you will most likely |
| Decide if the foundation really is a good match | | | | develop a long term funding partner. |
| Carefully analyze the foundation's Form 990s from | | | | Finally, if you are not an ideal and perfect match do |
| the past several years to see the grants that have | | | | not waste the time of the foundation and your own |
| been awarded. Subscribers to our Christian Funding | | | | energies in developing and submitting a letter. |
| Directory can use the free 990 Finder to find Form | | | | Honestly, organizations that send frivolous letters are |
| 990s from specific foundations. | | | | the reason the foundation has such restricted access |
| If the foundation makes grants to the same small | | | | in the first place. If you do not meet the funding |
| set of organizations every year, you might want to | | | | priorities move onto the next foundation and |
| consider other funding sources. However, if there are | | | | continue your research. |