When it comes to winning grants, one of the biggest mistakes I have seen recently is when grant writers treat all foundations the same.
How you apply to a foundation should depend on the type of foundation you’re applying to.
There are three main types of foundations- and our approach should be a bit different for each of them.
Private Foundation
- Usually funded by an individual or a family
- Typically has hyper-specific funding focus areas
- Oftentimes has very specific geographic focus
My approach with private foundations is to establish contact before submitting the proposal. I do my homework and tightly align the funding ask with their mission and funding history.
Community Foundation
- Funded by pooling donations from individuals, businesses, government funding
- Primarily support local nonprofits and community driven projects
- Oftentimes have a focus on community collaboration and data-driven community needs
My approach for these grants is to highlight our local impact, back it with data, and demonstrate how the impact strengthens the overall community.
Corporate Foundation
- Funded by companies, often tied to corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals
- Typically prioritize causes that align with the corporation’s brand or market.
- Primarily support communities located in the areas where they have locations
My approach for these grants is to emphasize shared values, employee engagement opportunities, and positive PR potential.
If you have been writing all foundation proposals the same way, try to tailor your approach. Keep the differences in mind when crafting your grant.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants