Posted in NewsNotes Archive
|
Issue 73 |
NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor and Detroit as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its seventh year of publication, with delivery to over 1,300 subscribers every month! We welcome your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners: The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation, The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, The Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundation, Online Technologies Corporation, The Power Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. And special thanks to NEW's founding partner, the McKinley Foundation.
IN THIS ISSUE
| NEW is hiring! |
NEW seeks candidates for three exciting new positions:
|
LEAD STORY
Foundation Relations: Is It What You Do or Who You Know?
by Ken Goldstein*
Many times in my work as a grant writer and consultant, I am asked by my clients to contact a foundation about potential funding. I am happy to do this; it is part of my job and it helps for me to directly ask the questions that will affect what I write in the grant proposal, but I sometimes wonder if the client isn't missing an opportunity by making that connection directly.
By the same token, when I am first meeting with a potential client, they often ask me if I have good connections with any local foundations. I do, I say, but then I think to myself that my connections are irrelevant; it's their connections that matter.
This all bring up the question of whether or not having a connection inside a foundation is more important than what you put in your proposal. Whenever I teach grant writing or nonprofit fundraising planning, I am asked about this common assumption, and whether or not it is true.
It is completely wrong, I tell my students; having connections won't get you funding. Except in those situations where it does. Let me explain further.
Connections mean nothing
I can't even count how many times I have submitted an uninvited grant proposal to a foundation based only on my research, without having even one phone conversation or email exchanged between us, and had that proposal fully funded.
On the other end of the scale, I have been in situations where a well-known foundation was wining and dining my co-workers and me, toasting us and what a great partnership we had, only to pull our funding two months later because of a "change in priorities."
The bottom line here is that it doesn't really matter how many friends you have on the inside. If your proposal is well written and clearly identifies how it is in line with the funder's priorities you will be successful. If your proposal is not what the funder is looking for, or it simply isn't clear what you want to do, you will fail. The best connections cannot save a lousy proposal or one that is completely outside the guidelines.
Relationships are everything
What I wrote above does not mean that you shouldn't try to cultivate good relationships with your funders. The same courtesies and attention you put into your individual donors should be shown to your foundation and corporate sponsors as well.
While you can be very successful only submitting unsolicited proposals, you are always playing a numbers game. There are more good nonprofit projects and program proposals than there are charitable dollars to go around. You will receive your fair share of rejections along with the funded grants.
Where good relationships will help you is when it pays off in trust. When a decision is close, being known as a reliable nonprofit that meets its goals and is easy to work with can make all the difference.
Even better is when that relationship pays off with the foundation approaching you for a proposal before you approach them. While even an invited proposal is no guarantee of a grant, it does start you out on much better footing.
But it is up to you to build that reputation and that relationship through dependability and good communications. Respect your foundation officer's time and only call with important questions, not just to gab or to complain, and be sure to thank them for their time. Likewise, be available when they call you with questions about your programs or to find out what your issues are. Submit your reports on time, using the format they provide, and don't ask for any special favors or extensions.
Conclusion
Getting back to the clients who have me make their foundation calls: they're not doing anything wrong by outsourcing that job, but they are missing a chance to get to know their funders better.
As for the clients who ask about my relationships as a prerequisite to hiring me: my relationships can only go so far. For long-term funding they need to build long-term relationships, and those must be made from within the organization, not from an outside contractor.
To those students of mine who are new to the nonprofit sector and the world of grant writing, I say, don't despair. Build your resumes first, with well-written proposals and successful programs, be yourself and be professional, and the relationships will develop in good time.
To all of them I say, remember, connections mean nothing: relationships are everything.
——————————————
*Ken Goldstein is founder of Goldstein Consulting in California.
Additional resources
- The Foundation Directory Online is an excellent tool to aid your search for potential funders. Make an appointment with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at NEW (734-998-0160 x 218) to use this super resource at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor or the Hannan House in Detroit. The Directory is also available at the Foundation Center's Cooperating Collections.
- The Foundation Center offers many online resources to get you started in the world of grant writing, including a Proposal Writing Short Course free tutorial.
FEATURED ITEMS
Nonprofit Buzz: Conversations with Funders
Thursday, July 31, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Tune in to The Nonprofit Buzz on Thursday morning, July 31 at 9 a.m. to hear host Diana Kern's discussion with foundation representatives. Her guests will be Kate Markel of the McGregor Fund and Kathi Horton from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Jennifer Acree will fill us in on the progress of the BEST project in Genesee County. Listen to NEW's live Internet radio program on the web on MetroChick Radio hosted by Lisa Marie. Past shows on a wide array of subjects are available as podcasts .
Neel Hajra Named as President & CEO of NEW
NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc.) is pleased to announce the appointment of Neel Hajra as NEW's next President and Chief Executive Officer. Hajra, a 7-year employee of NEW, joined NEW in 2001 and has served as NEW's Chief Operating Officer since 2004. His appointment is effective as of July 16, 2008. Hajra, 35, succeeds Susan Katz Froning who will join the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in August.
"Neel's succession to CEO allows for a seamless leadership transition as NEW builds upon a successful launch its npServ™ and BoardConnect® programs," says Kurtis T. Wilder, NEW's board chair. Hajra co-developed and currently manages npServ™, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit technology support service that combines open source and thin client technologies. This innovative and highly affordable program allows NEW to deliver faster, more reliable IT service to nonprofits at an affordable cost.
Hajra currently serves on the board of the NonprofitCenters Network, a national community of nonprofits dedicated to supporting the creation and operation of quality nonprofit office and program space. He is also a lecturer at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Michigan Participation Project — Election Season is Here
MNA's Michigan Participation Project (MPP) has launched a new website. MPP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative designed to help 501(c)(3) nonprofits integrate voter registration, voter education, and voter mobilization work into their ongoing activities in preparation for the 2008 election season. Visit the site to find:
- Voter Engagement Trainings for Nonprofits
- Scheduled candidate forums
- Fact sheets
- Voter registration forms
- Nonprofit's Guide to Voter Registration (also in Spanish)
- Many other resources
Don't forget to vote in Michigan's primary election Tuesday, August 5.
NEW is Hiring!
Join a service-oriented team dedicated to helping nonprofits succeed. NEW is now seeking professionals for three positions:
- Development Director
- npServ Director
- Marketing/Sales Manager
Follow the link for job descriptions and application details. The deadline for each position is Friday, August 1.
Agenda for Change on Track at United Way
As of July 1, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan has implemented its new Agenda for Change funding model that will serve to solve complex social problems and focus on educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs.
Historical United Way partners that did not move forward in the new model are able to apply for transitional funding and those agencies that remain in good standing are eligible to receive designations, regardless of the outcomes of the funding decisions. Learn more from their June Community Matters newsletter .
Nonprofit Day
September 24
Lansing
Power Up Nonprofits: Communicating the Value of Michigan Nonprofits is the theme of this year's Nonprofit Day. Kyle Caldwell, president of the Michigan Nonprofit Association urges both novice and experienced nonprofit leaders to attend this 9th annual event on Wednesday, September 24. "For nonprofits to truly be recognized as key social and economic players in the state, we all must raise our voices regarding the value of Michigan nonprofits to the overall quality of life in the state," he says. Find the agenda and registration on MNA's website.
University of Michigan Students Want to Help Nonprofits
- Your organization is invited to participate as a client in U of M School of Information's "Contextual Inquiry and Project Management" course. This is a a mutually beneficial experience that can offer new insights to improve information flow and use in your nonprofit. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734.936.8735) by Friday August 1.
- U of M's Organizational Studies 410 course offers free consulting to nonprofits during the fall term. A team will work on a challenge in your organization that has no obvious solution. Satisfied former clients include the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Ozone House and Avalon Housing. Send one-page project ideas to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by mid-August.
BoardConnect® Trainings
The mission of BoardConnect® is to strengthen our community by building the leadership skills of community members and connecting them with nonprofit boards, matching them with one another for maximum community impact. Follow this link to get more information about trainings for individuals and organizations. You may register for these upcoming workshops online.
-
Serving on a Nonprofit Board
Thursday, August 21, 2008, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. NEW Center, Ann Arbor -
Starting Off Right: Board Member Orientation
Thursday, September 11, 2008, 4p.m. - 7 p.m., NEW Center, Ann Arbor -
Building Your Board
Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 9 a.m. - noon, NEW Center, Ann Arbor -
Starting Off Right: Board Member Orientation
Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Arise Detroit -
Building Your Board
Thursday, October 2, 2008, 9 a.m. - noon, Hannan House, Detroit
Grant Management Class
Thursday and Friday, September 18-19
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
535 Griswold Street, Suite 300 Detroit
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA invite you to attend a two-day class in Detroit on September 18 and 19. If your agency receives, or plans to receive, government grants, this class is for you. Federal pass-through grant managers and staff are also encouraged to attend. You do not need to work in the same profession as the host agency.
The $595 tuition covers two days of instruction and a 445-page participant guide and reference binder. You will also have lifetime, free access to Grant Writing USA's exclusive alumni support forums. Multi-enrollment discounts are available.
For more information including course content, venue location, tuition, graduate testimonials and online enrollment, visit the website.
Office Space Available
The NEW Center in Ann Arbor provides high quality office space to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Get involved with a dynamic and diverse community of nonprofit tenants and enjoy:
- Below market rates
- Access to high volume color copier, fax and mail machines
- Access to the NEW Center conference rooms
- Optional high speed broadband
- A full service kitchen
- Free parking
- Convenient and beautiful location near downtown Ann Arbor and highway exits
- Access to NEW's services and expert staff
For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-998-0160, ext. 209).
Big House Big Heart Run
Sunday, September 28
Raise money for your nonprofit by registering a team for this year's Big House Big Heart Run. Last year 68 nonprofits participated in this 5K or 1-mile fun run and raised over $200,000 for their missions. A $7 fee for each registrant goes to ALS research and CS Mott Children's Hospital; money earned above this is for the team to keep. The run starts and ends at the University of Michigan's football stadium. Get more information and see video of last year's run.
Reminders:
- Junior League Signature Project proposals are due Friday, August 1.
REGULAR FEATURES
Sign up to receive any of the 3 free newsletters from the Foundation Center: Philanthropy News Digest, RFP Bulletin, or the Job Bulletin.
