Funding Sources:
Private, Community, and Corporate Foundations
What do I do first?
First you have to identify the corporations and foundations that are most likely to support your RIF program. The most efficient way of narrowing your search is to head to the nearest library that has access to The Foundation Center’s directory and talk to the librarian. If there isn't a cooperating collection near you, talk with your local library to see what resources they have available.
What do I do after I’ve identified potential sources?
Your next step is to narrow the field—you only want to apply to places you are pretty sure will at least read your application. You want to look for organizations that:
- Fund programs in your geographic region
- Have an interest in children and education
- Fund ongoing projects
Once you have a list of potential donors, investigate their application guidelines and due dates. Keep careful track of deadlines. You can find this information on most foundations’ websites, or on the Foundation Center website.
Once I know who I want to apply to, what do I do?
The next step is to begin the application process. Each foundation has their own guidelines and way of accepting applications, so be sure to follow their format. Some foundations want a letter of inquiry first, which is basically a proposal condensed into a short letter. Here is the basic outline for a grant proposal, which can then be adapted for whatever purpose you need.
Cover Sheet:
- Name and address of your organization.
- IRS identification number (if you have one).
- Contact information.
- Beginning and ending dates of proposed program.
- Amount of the request.
- Date submitted.
Introduction: Briefly state how much money you are requesting and what you propose to accomplish through the grant. Try to relate it to the goals of the foundation.
Organization Information: discuss your program’s history. For example, how long you have been a RIF program, how many children you serve, etc.
Statement of Need: state the reason for your proposed program and show how it addresses a critical need. Some needs assessments begin with a description of the geographical area, the social environment and the site, and then hone down to the target group—the numbers and description of children who need the program, why they need it, and who will be served if you get the grant. To support this section, you could include a couple of relevant quotes from studies (don’t forget to include the source of the quotes) on the importance of reading often or having books in the home
Project Description (This includes goals and objectives): Briefly state what you hope to accomplish through the proposal.
Program Plan: Include specifics on the children, volunteers and community support. This section details what exactly you are going to do and how you will do it.
Timeline: Be honest in how long it will take you to accomplish your objectives once you’ve gotten the grant.
Budget: Provide a two-column estimate of costs: a) those that will be paid with grant money and b) those that will be borne by other sources or through in-kind contributions.
Program Evaluation Plan:Describe the method by which you will evaluate how well the program works.
Appendix: Enclose with the proposal an appendix that could include:
- List of board of directors (if applicable).
- A list of other funders
- Letters of endorsement from educators, businesses, service organizations.
- Newspaper clippings about RIF.
- Your surveys of teachers, kids, and parents.
- Excerpts from "Studies and Statistics That Support RIF's Approach."
If applicable, a copy of the IRS determination letter showing that you qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code as a tax-exempt organization.
Remember, the tax-exempt status of the national Reading Is Fundamental organization does not apply to local programs.
What do I do after I send in the proposal or application?
You wait. It can take months to hear from a foundation, especially if their board only meets once or twice a year. Be patient, and in the meantime, continue sending out more proposals. But don’t send the exact same proposal to every potential donor you find—a lot of it will work for numerous situations, but make sure you target it to what the foundation is interested in funding.
Final Tips on Proposal Writing
- Start early. You need at least four months to prepare your proposal, dispatch it and then hear back from the foundation.
- To write a good proposal you must first know everything about your proposed program: the children you will serve, their literacy needs and how you plan to address those needs.
- To save time, write a standard description of your RIF program that you can insert in different proposals.
- Work backwards from the specific to the general. Begin with the list of tasks or methods. Prepare the abstract and cover sheet last.
- Define exactly what you will do with the money and give the donor good reasons why he or she should back your proposal instead of the many others they receive. This will include a) showing how your program will promote literacy; and b) convincing the executive officer that your organization is qualified, experienced, and has community support.
- Show in your budget if the money goes entirely for books. If funds will be used to obtain matching book funds, say so. Point out overhead and community in-kind support.
- Check the logic of your proposal. Are the problems listed in your statement of need clear? Are they addressed through the methods listed in your program design? By following those methods can you achieve the objectives?
- Show how the program will continue after the grant ends.
- Include letters of endorsement from key people—a principal, a civic leader, etc.
- Check the spelling and have a friend proofread carefully.
- Make a copy for your files.
- Proposals MUST be received by the deadline stated, or they will not be considered. If you are coming close to the deadline, send the proposal via certified mail and/or special overnight delivery. (Don't forget to log the date in your files of potential grant makers.)
NOTE: For more information on proposal writing, refer to the list of fundraising books and websites in Fundraising Resources.
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