Fundraising success stories for faith-based organizations. Learn how Foundation Search supports non-profit organizations with fundraising campaigns
1) What details about your organization should foundations be aware of?
Pam recognized that YFC initially needed to show that other local donors and sponsors thought the organization was a good investment when it made its first significant outreach to potential foundations. Pam comments on foundations that had not previously collaborated with YFC, saying, "I found that they really liked to not be the only funder." If you're talking about remodelling the gym, the funder decided against remodelling the entire facility. They desired to be a part of a larger funding coalition.
Pam also wanted a potential foundation partner to understand that the foundation's goals and objectives truly matched those of YFC; in other words, she didn't want to waste her time making an ineffective or unlikely request. Pam approached foundations with tailored and well-planned inquiries after consulting the FoundationSearch database for information. I made my recommendations based on what I could tell they were enthusiastic about.
2) Describe how FoundationSearch helps your foundation raise funds successfully.
When asked about the period of time before MP YFC joined FoundationSearch, Pam adds, "It was like looking for a needle in a haystack." For instance, while though MP YFC serves a vast metropolitan region, its Armoury Youth Centre is located in the suburb of Washington County, making it ineligible for funding from Pittsburgh foundations that, in reality, support areas one county away from the city's centre. Pam is now looking for foundations that assist organisations in Washington County.
3) Describe a big initiative or project that has received funding from a foundation.
A leader with MP YFC learned that a National Guard Armoury was up for sale in 2013; the building had a huge gymnasium and meeting space, was in a prime location, but needed extensive restoration. Due to the potential of the Armoury, a single supporter gave the money needed to buy the structure, starting MP YFC's first official fundraising effort. Pam explains, "We started looking at individual contributors and corporations since we needed a lot of money to repair this property. Then we understood that something like this would be supported by foundations. So we began researching foundation grants.
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