Securing grant funds from corporate or community foundations can help your department realize impactful projects. Here are key strategies from Lexipol’s Grant Services team to guide you:
1. Identify Matching Grant Prospects
- Target your application: Research grantors to ensure alignment with your project. Mismatched requests waste time and delay funding.
- Stay informed: Regularly review grantor websites for funding guidelines, priorities and application processes.
- Review giving reports: Annual giving reports often reveal the types of projects businesses support.
2. Understand Geographic and Regional Preferences
- Know restrictions: Some grantors prioritize specific regions, especially where they operate or hold significant interest.
3. Reach Out Directly
- Inquire if appropriate: Check if unsolicited inquiries are accepted. Contact program staff for clarity on eligibility and funding priorities.
- Make it personal: Personal connections matter. Share a brief (1-2 page) overview of your department’s needs, including:
- What: Project’s purpose.
- Why: Necessity and community benefit.
- How much: Total cost and requested funds.
4. Follow Application Guidelines Carefully
- Adhere to requirements: Align your application with guidelines, format, and deadlines.
- Respect funding ranges: Stay within specified limits while showing full project costs and other funding sources. Include full project costs in your narrative, showing what portion you’re seeking from each potential funder if multiple sources are involved.
5. Explore Broader Funding Opportunities
- Find funds nearby: A unique way to locate grant opportunities is to check whether businesses you patronize have corporate giving programs. This could range from your preferred car insurance company to pet food brands. Many companies have grant programs that may align with your needs.