As a staff member or volunteer for a nonprofit organization, you likely want to maximize your time to do the most good for the most people.
Whether your organization is applying for a grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation or from another foundation, answering a few basic questions before you get started can increase your chances for success in getting funded and reduce the time you spend.
1. Does the foundation typically support the mission and type of support you are seeking? The Selby Foundation supports capital expenses for local nonprofits serving people within a four-county area: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Spending time on a foundation’s website to answer any simple questions before you contact them is a respectful way to manage your time and the time of the foundation staff. Some foundations do not accept unsolicited applications but may be open to discussing your nonprofit for future invitations.
2. Before you apply for a grant, have you reached out to the Foundation to learn more about whether your request could be a good fit? At the Selby Foundation, these initial conversations are critical for us and for potential grantees. It’s a great idea to start with an email to JSpicer@SelbyFdn.org to set up a time to talk.
3. Is your organization able to clearly and concisely communicate gains it is helping people (or animals, or society) achieve? At the heart of your nonprofit’s value is the difference it makes. Talking about this with precision will help others quickly know that your existence is essential in the community and want to be part of your success.
4. Have you considered your nonprofit’s readiness to apply for a grant from an organizational development standpoint? All organizations are works in progress. Nonprofits and boards of directors have various stages in their development. Consider your organizational and your board of director’s current stage as you think about readiness for larger requests. When foundations consider capital grants, it is often more important for them to be reassured that the organization is likely to be around for the next 5-10 years or longer vs. when foundations consider programmatic grants. Most want to know that organizations have a good track record of protecting their assets and continuing their programs over time–or an excellent plan to do so. Some questions that are commonly asked in this area include the following:
-Is the board representative of the organization’s mission, needs and who it serves? Is there 100% participation in giving?
-What stories do your financials and IRS Form 990 tell about fiscal stewardship and organization growth or sustainability?
-Do you have a fundraising plan that is not overly reliant on one source of funding?
-Is your need clearly demonstrated within the larger context of our community?
Whether foundation support takes the form of a grant, a connection to another potential investor, or a resource to support your mission, most foundations want to help good organizations get what they need to be successful. Count us in that category! Even if your organization is not positioned for a Selby grant at this time, we have an interest in working with your nonprofit to support its future readiness.
Reach out to us at SBowie@SelbyFdn.org and let us know how we can help.