query: writing grants for organizing

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  thanks to Kathy for replying to Sarah's query.]

From:
Kathy Partridge <interfaithfunders at yahoo.com>


Hi Sarah and Comm-Org folks,

As a longtime funder of community organizing, the first thing I would 
look at is your organization's overall plan.  Second, your overall plan 
for fundraising in general.  If you and your leadership is not clear on 
these, grantwriting will be a waste of time.  Larry's pointers on how to 
frame your organization's work for long term impact and relationship 
building are well taken.  Taking the time to get these down on paper 
(i.e. a case statement) is a good organizational exercise as well as the 
first step in a grantseeking campaign.  Once that is done, you can begin 
to research funding prospects with various interests in aspects of your 
work, such as general support for your type of organization, geographic 
area, and issue agenda.  At that point, you'll be ready for the first 
real step in grantseeking, which is relationship building with your 
funder prospects.   Keep in mind that foundation fundraising is a time 
consuming task, with a long timeline, and also consider other 
fundraising strategies for your work.

As for funders in Mali -- my experience with international funders is 
that they tend to be more issue focused.  Are you looking to support 
women's groups, environmental justice, human rights, globalization?  
There are funds (Global Women's Fund, Global Greengrants) and funder 
groups (Human Rights Funders, Funders Network on Trade and 
Globalization) interested in those areas, and you could start your 
research there.

Good luck,

Kathy
 
Kathy Partridge
Executive Director
Interfaith Funders
www.interfaithfunders.org <http://www.interfaithfunders.org/>
2719 Denver Ave.
Longmont, CO  80503
Voice 720-494-9011
Fax 708-585-6434  Cell 303-594-6434


Discussion list for COMM-ORG wrote:
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> This is a COMM-ORG 'colist' message.
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> [ed:  please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with responses to Sarah's 
> query.  And apologies to Sarah for letting this one slip through the 
> cracks last week.]
>
> From: "Sarah Phillips" <sphillips at cityyear.org>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I have a few questions about grant writing for organizing groups.  Does
> anyone have any tips or resources to pass along regarding framing
> objectives for good organizing grants, particularly when campaigns tend
> to change when strategies don't work.  Also, I'm working with a
> particularly grassroots organization and campaigns and strategies change
> often.  Does anyone have any tips about writing proposals in this
> context?  Lastly, anyone got any good ideas about foundations or
> corporations funding organizing work in Mali or, better yet, suggestions
> about where to look for these folks?  
>
> Thanks so much!  -Sarah
>
> Sarah Phillips
> Service Director
> City Year Rhode Island
> 77 Eddy St.  2nd Floor
> Providence, RI 02903
>  
> (t) 454-3744
> (c) 286-2850
> (f) 553-2510
>  
> sphillips at cityyear.org
>  
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