BarbaraFloersch ✭✭

I have had some experience with this sort of funding. Years ago I operated a statewide coalition of teen centers. We brought in large amounts of funding and then split it evenly between the teen centers so long as they submitted a simple application, met certain requirements, and agreed to provide data we could use in…

As we know, an organization can be eligible to apply to a federal competition (an eligible applicant entity) but won't actually be eligible to win an award unless it can respond to all of the must-dos, must-haves, and documentation requirements sprinkled throughout the extensive application guidelines. I advise…

It's odd, Amanda, I actually prefer those big, crazy, more than detailed federal proposals such as SAMHSA, etc. There's something about the challenge that brings out my best. I don't find regular foundation proposals nearly as interesting. Glutton for punishment? Maybe just odd personality quirk.

I like the idea of a well-designed, tiered thank-you system that's prompt and geared to do a certain job. With entry level donors, I'd suggest a warm thanks, maybe a call, and a follow-up not too far down the road with some invitation to connect with the organization's work.....some gentle, warm, welcoming "come along."…

Hello All On the flip side, I've gotten over-the-top thank-you letters for $25 donations. The thank-yous felt odd and out of proportion to the gift. I also use phone calls and try to personalize letters when I know enough about the donor to do that. I also reach out to others in the organization to see who knows donors and…

I bet a lot of us didn't get much advice and guidance. I was "thrown into the deep end of the pool" and had to learn to swim fast. Over the years I've certainly gleaned advice from colleagues. Now, 40 years into grants work, I myself have A LOT of advice to give. I bet you all do as well. Maybe that's a flipped version of…

Hello Diane - Sorry not to have responded yesterday, but we had a big snow storm here in Vermont and my internet was down. I have reached out to two colleagues who are extremely well connected nationally with people and organizations related to underserved communities. I hope to hear from them soon and will pass along…

All of the comments are so true! I'd add that the application guidelines are much more extensive and detailed, the award decisions are often heavily influenced by a points-based assessment system, and the narratives are longer than those required by most private funders.

I LOVE these resources. I'm just now reading the book, The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee, and it's excellent. The SumOfUs Progressive Style Guide is great--so informative. And the blog post about asset-based work is superior. I've just added both of these to the resource page on my website. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing, Kent. Informative.

Hi Donna - In the situation you're describing art therapy will be a tool for producing positive outcomes related to trauma and mental health issues. Because of that, the best-fit funders will be those interested in trauma and mental health issues, and that is a much broader research topic than art therapy. Art therapy is…

I'm indoorsey, as well. Looks as though we have a trend going here.

I agree with Ericka. That's also been my experience. But I will add that when foundations do ask about board contributions they take the response quite seriously. I have encountered numerous foundations that more or less say "no serious board giving, no grant award."

Thanks so much, Diane. Patience and persistence rule. Best, Barbara

Hello Colleagues I heard recently from a grants professional in Puerto Rico who works at a island-wide affiliate of a US-wide youth-focused organization. There aren't a lot of foundations in PR and the organization does get funding from those foundations--although in a limited amount due to their capacity. A big problem…