Five Steps to Success in Contacting Potential Funders

Contacting a potential funder before submitting an application is a great way to be sure that you qualify for their grants, and to get an inside perspectiveon what makes an application competitive.  Follow these steps for success in contacting funders.

1. DO WHAT THEY ASK YOU TO DO Funders may specify on their website how they want to be contacted the first time. Honor these requests, e.g. if they ask to approached by email, do not call. Be sure you have the correct contact number or email and name. This shows you care enough to have done your homework.

2. PLAY DETECTIVE
Find out as much about the foundation and their program as you can before you call. Look on their website, read their annual report, and search local newspapers for their name. Get a good idea that your program is appropriate from them.

3. HAVE A CONCRETE IDEA
Before you approach them, be sure you have a good idea what your program will look like. Write down a three-paragraph summary of your idea using these questions to guide you: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? This way you will be prepared to answer tough questions about your proposed project.

4. ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS
There may be no stupid questions, but some smart questions can make you look stupid – especially if they have already been answered on their website. Draft a couple of questions in advance and be sure that you cannot find the answer to them anywhere else.

5. BE RESPECTFUL, COURTEOUS AND GRATEFUL
If all goes well, these funders will be financing your dreams and you certainly want to show them the proper respect for the opportunity to ask them to do so.