According to interviewees, networking is crucial for successfully seeking grants.
Why?
• Many funders do not take unsolicited applications.
This means that you will never hear about them or receive funding from
them unless you are active in the community and doing exceptional,
noteworthy work.
• Be referred. Many grantmakers rely on referrals from
current and past grantees to find new organizations to grant to. Other
funders require that grant applicants submit letters of
recommendations as part the application. By networking with other
oranizations doing similarly important work, you build
relationships with possible future references.
• Learn about potential funders. Your colleagues,
working for similar organizations, are also in the market for funding
from grantmakers. Use networking as an opportunity to exchange ideas and
suggestions about funding opportunities.
How?
Interviewees gave four tips to help you successfully network:
• Collaborate. Grantmakers like to see organizations
partnering to achieve similar goals in their communities, country, or
region.
• Share resources. Share resources with organizations
doing similar work in your area. Resource sharing can
include exchanging ideas, sharing tools, volunteers, and even
finances. Many funders like to invest in organizations that work
together in this way.
• Join a non-profit association. A non-profit
association is a group of organizations working together for the purpose
of sharing ideas, knowledge, and resources. These associations provide a
great place to learn more about your sector and the way that other
organizations are succeeding. Grantmakers like to see their grantees are
participating in such associations. Find one in your area. If there is
not a non-profit association in your area, create one!
• Join online networking sites. Is your organization on
Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube? If not, it should be. Interviewees say
that funders use these social networking sites to learn more about their
grantees. Check out tips online about how to use Facebook
and Twitter to
spread the word about your organization.