This is a common concern of many new organisations first entering the somewhat intimidating world of grant fundraising. The reality is that every organisation has to start somewhere and grant making bodies appreciate that. Sometimes being a new organisation can give you an edge in a crowded field. Grant funders are competitive and they are all looking to work with exciting new projects and innovative organisations. This short guide will talk you through some of the nuances of funding organisations and how they manage proposals from new organisations.
There is a huge variety of different funding bodies around the world, each with their own unique set of priorities, rules, guidelines, priority areas, funding approaches and staff. Each on must be treated differently and it is always best practice to thoroughly research any funder before you take the plunge of applying. In fact, you may find some organisations, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for example, who do not accept unsolicited proposals from new organisations. Instead they choose to work with organisations they have found themselves. You will save you and your new organisation a great deal of time if you can exclude funders who will not accept proposals from new NGOs.
Most foundations will provide fairly extensive information to grant seeking organisations whether they are in the form of guidelines or a frequently asked questions section on their website. Most will declare their position in regards to funding requests from new NGOs or NGOs who have no history of winning grants. This makes it doubly important for new organisations to understand their selected funder before they progress with compiling a project proposal.
You will discover that some funders are extremely cautious with their money and will not work with organisations without strong histories in delivering successful projects, maintain financial stability and producing strong results. You will also discover foundations who are much more adventurous and in some cases even target new and innovative organisations and projects. Due to overwhelming competition for grants, increasingly funders are calling on project proposals to be innovative and offer something new that hasn’t been tried previously. New NGOs can use this to their advantage by demonstrating how they are different from their competition and why their new approach will be more successful than counter proposals from their rivals.
New organisations moving into grant seeking territory should look for funders, whether government or private, that offer “Seed Money”. This typically describes grants that are made to kickstart a particular organisation or project and will normally only be available for new projects. Seed funding is often restricted to newer organisations or for unconventional projects that may struggle to find grant funding otherwise. Organisations that provide seed money are also likely to be more experienced in working with newer NGOs than other funders which will help both the partnership as well as providing your organisation with access to great tools and advice.
What new organisations often lack is credibility, but you can establish that through a series of different means. You can collaborate with established organisations, you can demonstrate significant community support through volunteers and fundraising or you can ensure that your board of trustees or staff are experienced and knowledgable in their fields. Efforts should also be made to present yourself well, but especially online. A decent website can do wonders for new organisations and will help to establish credibility despite being a new NGO.
Ultimately, for most fund making organisations, if you’re able to demonstrate that your project is worth funding and you can convince them that you have the skills, tools and experiences to deliver then being a new organisation will not hold you back. In some cases it will even open doors.
Have you experienced grant fundraising for a new organisation? Did you find it easier or more difficult? Let us know in the comments.
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- Don’t just write, call your potential funder!
- In-Kind Support: Corporate Fundraising Made Easy
- How to access a Foundation that doesn’t accept enquiries
- What do funders look for in a grantee?
