Syracuse University

Steps to Identifying Foundations to Approach

The Foundation Directory Online is a database maintained by the Foundation Center that has detailed information on more than 1,500 foundations. The directory can be used free of charge and offers a range of search parameters to help you find foundation prospects.

Once you have a list of possible foundation prospects, visit their web sites.

Most sites will have a section for grant seekers. Some will even have proposal or application formats to download. Review each foundation's guidelines and determine whether your work might be a fit. Familiarize yourself with its programs, deadlines, policies, and procedures. If at all possible, look at a list of recent grants awarded. This can tell you more than the guidelines about precisely what kind of program the foundation tends to fund and how large its grants typically are.

If you determine that a foundation is a good candidate to support your work, contact Foundation Relations to discuss how best to proceed.

What Kinds of Activities Do Foundations Support?

Foundations fund a wide range of activities, from the performing arts, economic development, and education/literacy to environmental issues and biomedical research. There are foundations that fund most academic disciplines. Foundation grants typically fall into one of the following categories:

• Program support (for specific projects and programs): 44% of grant dollars
• General operating (day-to-day operating costs): 19% of grant dollars
• Capital support (to buy equipment or build/renovate facilities): 9% of grant dollars

Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Few foundations support operating costs for universities, but fund specific programs or research projects. Some foundations allow overhead in the budget, others do not. If overhead is not mentioned in the guidelines, be sure to ask Foundation Relations or the foundation program officer before applying.
• Each foundation has its own mission, interests, programs, requirements, exclusions, and guidelines. It is important to review these carefully, especially recent grants awarded, to determine whether your proposal is a good fit. Corporate foundations usually give in ways that support the corporation's business interests.
• Some foundations accept inquires and proposals on a rolling basis, others have deadlines. Some ask for competitive proposals, and some only work with invited organizations. Some are online, some still demand hard-copy submissions. Most ask for a brief (one- to three-page) letter before requiring you to submit a lengthy proposal.
• Size matters: Look at the dollar range of recent awards for projects similar to the one you will propose. Asking for too much¿or in some cases, too little¿can result in rejection.
• Foundations have different procedures, but in most cases program officers advocate and recommend proposals to the foundation's board of directors, which approves or declines them.
• Foundations play favorites; establishing and maintaining relationships can be a significant advantage.
• In 2006, foundations gave $2.3 billion for U.S.-based international programs.

See How Foundation Relations Can Help You

Helpful Links to Fundraising Resources

Resources

If you wish to apply for foundation funding and have received a go-ahead from Foundation Relations, you can find many helpful links here on this web site. A good one to start with is the Proposal Writing Short Course, an online guide that covers the basics of preparing a foundation proposal.