Accessing funds for international projects

International Social Work Conference 2008 Lisa Ann Brennan, MTSDirector, Communications and Resource Development Brazelton Touchpoints Center Children’s Hospital Boston

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

(African proverb)

Where does funding come from?The ‘big’ picture…

Individuals (living and deceased)

Civic groups Corporations Foundations (corporate,

community, private) Government

Giving USA, A Philanthropy Yearbook 2005

Who’s giving?

Of the $260 billion given to charitable organizations each year, more than 75% is given by individuals.

How much?Americans contributed over $260 billion to charities in 2005.

0

50

100

150

200

Individuals ($199B)

Bequests ($17B)

Foundations ($30B)

Corporations ($14B)

Source: The Foundation Center 2007

Domestic $13,588,989 (119,000 grants) 83%

International $2,839,079 (11,699 grants) 17%

Domestic vs. international grant dollars…

Giving USA, Philanthropy Yearbook, 2004

Churches, schools, disaster relief, arts benefit most

Religious groups received the largest share of contributions...more than $88 billion.

Education was the next largest category, receiving $34 billion.

All sectors showed an increase in contributions except for international affairs and development, and human services.

Large organizations (60 percent) saw the largest increase in contributions

Small organizations (those with charitable revenue less than $1 million) had 37 percent reporting that their contributions dropped

Top 10 strategies for approaching funders…

#1

Assess the field. What other groups are doing this, who is getting funded, who can help

implement, monitor, and report?

Dare to ask the question: Are we the best fiscal agent for this money?

#2

Allow time for the process (8-12 month timeline)

If you don’t have time, don’t submit…yet!

#3

Develop your team (program, finance, communications, board members, consumers)

Fund raising is not

a solo sport!

#4

Do your homework!

Research potential funders, as well as your program.

Is there a fit, is there internal capacity, can you deliver?

#5

Create a strong case for support FIRST!

The concept paper

Keep it short! (2 pages) Who you are Why you exist The problem your program/project

addresses (facts, not emotion) How your program works (specifics

based on best practice) How it works Results you expect How program will be monitored What an investor can expect

(communication) How they can help

The proposal

Know the requirements Follow instructions Meet deadlines Link needs of the funder to

program goals Don’t bombard with too

much information (200-300 apps for each source)

It’s not about ‘show’ its about program quality and fit

#6 (and most important!)

“Shop” your case/concept. It’s the start of the relationship building process with potential supporters.

#7

Understand the external environment influencing your donors (MDG’s, tax laws, global disasters, family tragedy, historical interests)

#8

To the extent possible, learn the internal needs and motivations of your potential donors (visible assets, prior giving, memberships, emotional affinities, etc.)

#9

Tailor your marketing approach, NOT your program.

#10

“No” doesn’t always mean “no”…

Continue the relationship, keep the dialogue open… learn, and resubmit!

Good luck!

Resources

• Giving USA is a public outreach initiative of the Giving USA Foundation™ which endeavors to advance research and education in philanthropy. www.aafrc.org

• The Foundation Center maintains a comprehensive database on U.S. grant makers and their priorities. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance philanthropy at every level. www.foundationcenter.org

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy is the No. 1 news source for charity leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and other people involved in the philanthropic enterprise. www.philanthropy.org

More resources…

Alliance for Nonprofit ManagementAssociation for Healthcare PhilanthropyAssociation of Fundraising ProfessionalsCenter on Nonprofits and PhilanthropyCharity ChannelCouncil of Better Business BureausThe Chronicle of Higher EducationCorporate Philanthropy ReportCouncil on FoundationsCouncil for Aid to EducationFord FoundationFoundation CenterFundraisinginfo.comGlobal Fundraising JobsGuidestarInternal Revenue ServiceInternet Nonprofit CenterNational Black United Fund National Center for Charitable StatisticsNational Council of Nonprofit AssociationsNational Society of Grant Writing Professionals, Inc.Nonprofit Overhead Cost Project - Guides and Briefs available (pdf)Nonprofit TimesTaxwise Giving & Philanthropy Tax InstituteWomen's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy, Indiana University