Grant Research/Writing

Lesson 2: Searching for Funding

Requesting More Information

Part 1:Go online to The Foundation Center website (www.fdncenter.com). Explore options for membership that might meet your current needs- individuals $9.95 and organizations $19.95 for 30 days (These rates appear on the website as of the date of this writing and are subject to change.)

If you are seeking funding for a specific project and are intending to write a grant within the next thirty days, purchasing a membership is recommended. However, if you taking this class to learn the basics of grant writing, review the website and make note of the information that is available there. Also, before purchasing a membership, visit the NonProfit Guide website, which provides links that may provide you with the same information—free of charge.

Part 2:Draft a form letter that could be mailed to any foundation, requesting information on the foundation, the programs it has funded, and the guidelines for submitting proposals.

A sample letter follows:

XYZ Foundation

123 ABC Street

Maxx, Wyoming

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am hereby requesting the following information:

Your foundation’s annual report

A list of programs funded in the past

Guidelines for submission of proposals

A sample successful grant application

Sincerely,

Mary Smith