Philanthropy with Purpose: A Strategic Guide for Businesses

Securing grant funding is a vital strategy for diversifying your nonprofit's revenue streams and ensuring financial stability. In 2023, foundations contributed 19% of total charitable giving in the United States, demonstrating their critical role in nonprofit support. Despite a 2.1% decline in overall philanthropic giving, foundation support has remained steady, offering a reliable source of funding amidst fierce competition from the 1.8 million nonprofits in the country. To stand out and secure your share of these limited dollars, it's essential to master the art of comprehensive grant research.

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Three key strategies can elevate your grant-seeking efforts and increase your chances of success overnight:

1. Broaden Your Perspective

Too many of us apply to the same funders year over year. Make sure you are leveraging a robust grant database like Foundation Directory or Grant Station to identify a broad spectrum of potential funders. Your research should encompass essential details such as proposal deadlines, grant cycles, geographic focus, giving priorities, and insights from 990 forms. A steady discipline of looking for new opportunities and standardizing the way you research them will ensure you're maximizing your potential.

2. Put on Your Detective Hat

Not every foundation tells you exactly what they are looking for, but their behavior will give away their secrets if you're willing to look hard enough. Sharpen your focus on what truly matters in your research. Start by determining if the foundation accepts unsolicited applications—a crucial step in avoiding wasted efforts. Next, search for a dedicated website to gain deeper insights into the foundation's mission and priorities. Finally, use resources like ProPublica or Candid to review each foundation's 990 forms, revealing valuable information about recent giving patterns and available assets.

3. Get Creative and Don't Think in Black and White

Consider unconventional pathways—what we call the "side door" approach—into foundations that may not be directly aligned with your mission at first glance. For example, if your goal is to secure general operating support, don't overlook grants for capacity building or leadership development. These funds can often be applied to essential organizational activities, bringing in additional resources to support your nonprofit's core functions.

If your organization aims to maintain or increase grant revenue in 2024-25, the key to success lies in conducting thorough, consistent, and up-to-date research. While strong writing skills are essential, the foundation of a successful grant proposal begins long before the first word is written. Comprehensive research into both new and existing funders not only strengthens your proposals but also positions your organization for greater success in the competitive world of grant seeking. You got this!

Marleen Livingstone President, Dead Rock, LLC

Found this blog post insightful?

‍Check out "The Ultimate Playbook for Grant Success: From Research to Relationships" Presented by Marleen Livingstone on October 22nd and 29th at 1pm EST. Register today.

Marleen Livingstone has been at the forefront of driving nonprofits to unparalleled fundraising success for over three decades. Her deep well of experience empowers organizations to exceed their goals, bringing a visionary approach and cutting-edge strategies to every challenge. Marleen's mastery spans a dynamic array of specialties, including strategic planning, major gift acquisition, corporate partnerships, grant development, and campaign management. Her leadership has fueled the growth of prestigious institutions like Penn State University and the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Currently, as the Impact Director for The Honor Foundation, Marleen channels her expertise into transforming the lives of Special Operations service members as they transition to the civilian world, ensuring their future success with the same precision and dedication she brings to every mission.