Foundation funders will seek key pieces of information about your proposed project and it will be important that you can articulate the following pieces of information prior to pursuing funding. Answering the following questions will also help out Office of Foundation Relations in identifying prospective funders, and will form the basis for a compelling proposal.
Note that the following questions mostly assume that you are creating a research proposal. All questions are adaptable for programatic or capital proposals.
The Problem:
- Define the problem you are seeking to solve
- Why is this problem significant to society?
Most foundations will only fund within specific priority areas, predetermined by the foundation's Board of Directors or the associated family sponsoring the foundation. Defining your problem is important to effectively matching your work with a funder, thus increasing your chances of receiving support.
- What are the central themes that will guide your project?
Potential Contributions:
- What will we know or be able to do (differently) when your project is completed?
- What literature(s) or frameworks does your study or program draw upon and contribute to?
Approach:
- What conceptual framework and research design will guide your work?
- What is the scope of the data and data collection needed to conduct your research?
- What kinds of analyses will you be proposing to answer your research questions?
Team:
- Name the principal investigator, and the experience and expertise they bring
- Who else is on the project team, and what makes them qualified to conduct the work?
Foundations often like to see multiple partners converging around one project if the intent is programmatic as opposed to research. It demonstrates that multiple parties with diverse perspectives believe in the efficacy of the work.
If another university or research foundation is involved, be sure to include their role in the project as a secondary investigator or co-PI.
Funding:
- Total amount needed for the project, and the total amount requested of the funder.
Consider that some foundations will limit indirect costs to a specific amount. Be sure to read through the RFP thoroughly to ensure that you're aware of any limitations.
Geographic Focus:
- Will your project focus on a particular city/region/state, national, international?
Timeline:
- When are you seeking to start the project, and what is the timeline for completion?
Foundations typically disperse funds within specific grant making cycles. Ensure that you are aware of submission deadlines and expected award dates. If you are on a time crunch for your project, please speak directly to the Office of Foundation Relations as there might be an opportunity to pursue funding via other methods.