Has the cost of living crisis impacted your charity’s fundraising? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many charities are currently facing similar challenges, but the good news is that there are plenty of trusts and foundations out there willing to support your cause. The trick is to know where to find them and how to approach them.
Lay the groundwork
One way to find potential funders is through trust and foundation research. This involves identifying grantmaking trusts and foundations, lottery funders, EU funds, US trusts and foundations, international trusts and foundations and corporate foundations. It also includes companies with dedicated foundations set up to make charitable donations.
With this information, you can develop a bespoke portfolio of potential funders that match your organisation’s needs and values. This is where our services can come in handy. We can help you identify appropriate funders and guide you on how to approach them to secure a grant.
Before you start reaching out to funders, there are a few things you should consider.
Make sure you’re the right fit
First, ensure your charity is eligible for the grant you’re applying for. Funders usually have specific criteria that they use to determine which organisations they will support. Make sure that you meet these criteria before you apply. This will help you show the funder how funding you will help them achieve their own charitable objectives.
Do your research
Second, do your research on the funder you’re approaching. Find out what causes they typically support and what their funding priorities are. This will help you tailor your application to their interests and increase your chances of success.
How will funding impact you?
Third, be clear about your charity’s objectives and how the grant will help you achieve them. Funders want to know that their money is being used effectively, so make sure you have a clear plan in place for how you will use the grant.
Stand out from the crowd
Finally, make sure your application is well-written and professional. Your application will refect you as an organisation, so take the time to craft a compelling proposal that clearly articulates your charity’s needs and how the grant will help you achieve your goals.
Finding trusts and foundations to support your charity can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding one. By doing your research, tailoring your approach to each funder, and crafting a compelling proposal, you can increase your chances of securing the funding you need.
Our team provides research, wealth screening, consultancy, regulatory compliance and training support to charities of all sizes, making fundraising more effective and successful.
We’ll help you find the funders to support your cause. Whether you are looking for core, project or capital funding and we’ll work with you to develop the best strategy for approaching them.
To find out how we can help you on your fundraising journey, get in touch with us today.