Locating funding sources

In order to raise funds, you must find out who is usually doing the funding for these types or projects. There are resources available through national publications and websites. Also, it is helpful if you know and understand your funders. What is their mission statement? What are their objectives? What are their funding cycles? Who do they usually fund? Generally, there are four types of funding available, they are:

Foundations   There are numerous foundations set up to grant monies to non-profit organizations. Each organization has its own set of criteria for funding. Some of the larger international corporations have set up foundations for the sole purpose of funding projects.

Businesses   For those businesses that do not have charitable foundations attached they usually do have a sponsorship division set up. From local companies to national companies they are all looking for a tax break and if they can create a loyal following and increase the strength of their brand name in the process, even better.

Private Monies   These are individual people who have a little extra money and are willingly philanthropic. They are a little harder to pin down, but a little research will usually spell out what their favorite causes are.

Government Grants   This could include the state's Humanities Council, Arts Council, or other such organizations sponsored by the state.

Know your Audience

One way to increase your odds of obtaining funding is to do research on the funders you are courting. Listed below are a few key bits of information you really should know about each funder your are preparing to approach.

Find out what they are really about.
Is their mission really in sync with yours? If it is a good fit then how can you tailor your proposal to fulfill their needs?

What exactly is their funding cycle?
A funding cycle would be when and how frequently this foundation funds project. Funding cycles can from once a year to once a month. It is important to know the exact deadline(s) for these grants, especially if they are only offered once a year.

Who/what else have they funded?
Knowing what type of projects a foundation has funded in the past is instructive in two ways.

- You know how well your project will fit into their criteria.

- If they have recently funded a similar project that may determine whether or not they want to do it again so soon.

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