Tips and Advice for Better Grant Seeking

Grant seekers face a competitive market. America’s foundations still aren’t as well-off as they were before the recession, and that’s putting a damper on their giving, according to a Chronicle survey of the nation’s biggest foundations.

Yet grants remain one of the major ways nonprofits can raise funds, with giving by foundations representing about 15 percent of charitable giving in 2014, according to Giving USA.

So what does that mean for you?

Standing out from the competition requires more than just writing strong grant proposals. Making the best case for foundation investment in your programs begins with finding grant opportunities that match your mission and strengths as an organization, as well as staying organized to track results to demonstrate effectiveness.

But at its core, grant seeking—whether from local, regional, family, or corporate foundations—is all about research and relationships.

“Foundation fundraising is really that marriage between the grant maker and grantee and forging this long-term partnership,” says Lloyd Martinez, a senior development director at the National Audubon Society.

Here we provide the information you need to start seeking grants.