How to Be Invited To Submit a Proposal?
Foundations, as one can imagine, get swamped with letters and proposals requesting funding. Many foundations have changed their policies regarding how they choose to give away funds.
Some foundations have switched to an “invitation only” format, where they handpick the programs and organizations they want to fund. Some foundations have switched to a “Letter of Inquiry/Intent/Information” approach. This helps the funder spend less time reviewing full grant applications complete with attachments about programs that are not a fit for their focus areas and it helps the grant applicants spend less time on a foundation that may not be a fit for their program.
If the Foundation is strictly invite-only:
Recently, at this month’s Nonprofit Learning Lab Los Angeles’, I had the opportunity to hear a panel of philanthropic industry leaders speak. Lori Guidry, from Candid (formerly known separately as Foundation Center and Guidestar), was on this panel and she had sage advice for nonprofits: “Foundations that don’t accept applications are an untapped resource”. Ms. Guidry went on to say that these organizations are created to give away money. So don’t be afraid to get in front of them through different means (e.g. LinkedIn, in-person networking, etc).
This quote stuck with me because, in my career, there have been many times in which I have decided against pursuing a foundation for a grant because I see that they “don’t accept unsolicited proposals” or only fund “pre-selected organizations”. These words used to mean the end of my research on an organization. But I have learned that there are many ways for you to approach a foundation and get on their radar, to be invited to submit a proposal and become part of the elite, “pre-selected organization”.
Love Letters (newsletters, annual reports, newspaper clippings, etc): A great way to connect with funders is through your organization’s publications. When your annual report is released, make it a point to include funders that you may have applied to in the current year. Many funders keep an eye on organizations that repeatedly apply, even if they do not award funding to them. They may even have a folder, collecting all the materials that you send them. It’s also a great way conversation starter since you can follow up with an email, inquiring if they received your most recent publication.
Get Out and Network (professional associations, nonprofits like yours,etc.): Attending local Meet the Funder events offered in the community can boost your chances of getting invited to submit a proposal. Funders like to put an organization name with a face. Swapping business cards and having an in-person chat with potential funders keeps you on their minds.
Make online connections with program officers (LinkedIn, email approach, etc.): LinkedIn and Facebook are excellent tools you can use to find out if your board members have common friends with others that may sit on the board of foundations. Utilizing these online methods can also be a great conversation starter when you email a foundation or happen to see a program officer at a networking event.
If you have submitted the Letter of Inquiry
If you have successfully submitted a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to a foundation who has made it clear that they require an LOI and then full grant proposal, then you have a few options as to your next steps.
Invite the Foundation for a site visit: This is a great way for funders to see the work you are doing, meet key leadership and gain a better understanding of your programs. Be sure to include key personnel, leadership and even board members in your site visits.
Send the Foundation quarterly newsletters: Similar to the approach above, sending foundations your newsletters, annual reports, and other correspondence is a great way to keep your organization on their minds. Your goal is to become their new best friend!
If you need help writing your LOI, contact Mockingbird Analytics. We can help!
At Mockingbird Analytics we believe in the power of nonprofits and social good organization to create an exponential impact in our communities. Contact us to help you build the infrastructure needed to be able to tell your story to the world.
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