| In today's tough economic climate, many people are | | | | you approach a foundation for funding. You cannot |
| becoming choosier about what they do with their | | | | simply send an email or letter to someone asking for |
| money. Those that bestow their money upon | | | | money without first detailing your cause and your |
| grant-seekers are no different and have become | | | | plans on what you will do with the money. Before |
| more involved with what is being done with the | | | | you draft such a request, you should have a clear |
| money that is donated. Here are some tips on how | | | | vision your goals and a layout on what you need to |
| to approach a charitable foundation in hopes of | | | | do to achieve them. If you do not have a goal, a |
| receiving a grant:o Do your research on the company | | | | foundation is less likely to invest in what you are |
| before you approach them: It is important to have a | | | | doing, because without a specific goal in mind, they |
| clean understanding of the foundation you are | | | | have no concept of what you plan to do with the |
| approaching and what their goals are in terms of | | | | funding they bestow upon your organization.o Submit |
| charitable donations. For example, if you are | | | | a written proposal: The written proposal is usually |
| approaching a literacy foundation and you know they | | | | what makes or breaks a grant request. It should be |
| focus on adult literacy and you are approaching them | | | | a well-written request, full of as much detailed |
| from the K-12 perspective, you may not be in their | | | | information as possible. You should outline your |
| target donation group and your proposal may not be | | | | organization's goals, give information your programs, |
| accepted. Instead, look to prospective groups that | | | | include statistics on your target population and offer |
| have goals in line with whatever you are trying to do | | | | solutions to whatever void your organization seeks |
| with whatever grant money you receive. In addition, | | | | to fill. Many people hire a professional grant writer |
| if you approach a company and clearly do not have | | | | because the process of submitting a request is so |
| an understanding of what they do, they are less | | | | extensive and the actual proposal is usually what |
| likely to be impressed with your proposal and more | | | | makes or breaks your request. |
| likely to deny funding as a result of your lack of | | | | To find a foundation that interests you, go online to |
| preparation.o Have a clear plan of action to reach | | | | search for charitable donations. By gaining insight into |
| your goal: A well-researched, well-written grant | | | | their past contributions, you have an idea of where |
| request or proposal should be submitted any time | | | | your proposal may stand. |