Foundations have reaped high investment returns for more than a decade, and their chosen nonprofit grantees are benefiting as well: Nearly $110 billion in charitable dollars flowed through foundations to nonprofits in 2024, according to Giving USA.
So how are the most skilled grant seekers capturing grants amid intense competition?
At its heart, securing a grant — from a local, regional, family, or national foundation — is about proving your fit with the funder. Whether you’re seeking a grant worth $10,000 or $10 million, making the best case for an investment in your programs begins with demonstrating that your mission and organizational strengths match the funder’s priorities. You should be prepared to show how your organization will help the grant maker meet its goals, too.
“Foundations are giving at historic levels. Nonprofits need to be prepared to have a bold vision that they can articulate to funders,” says Susan Schaefer, principal of Resource Partners.
Dig into this collection of templates and how-to articles to better understand how to win more foundation grants.
Editor’s note: Chronicle playbooks are updated on an ongoing basis as new advice becomes available.
Stories
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Grant Seeking
6 Proven Ways to Capture Grants That Increase Capacity
Foundation leaders share insights into what it takes to secure grants that enable organizational growth. -
Grant Seeking
Tips for Winning 6-Figure Grants in a Competitive Climate
This year, the competition for large foundations’ attention is fierce. Here are key strategies to stand out in a crowded field. -
Grant Seeking7 Ways to Earn Foundations’ Trust and Win General Operating Support
Three experts explain how to get to know foundation program officers and best position your nonprofit to secure flexible funding. -
Grant SeekingHow to Strengthen Your Grant Proposals and Avoid Common Mistakes
Writing grant proposals has become increasingly complex. Veteran fundraisers share their advice to help you navigate the shifting landscape and win grants. -
Grant SeekingProposal Budgets Should Strengthen Your Case for Support: Here’s How
5 ways to create a proposal budget that instills trust in grant makers. -
Grant Seeking8 Tips for Seeking Grants From Community Foundations
Experts share insights to help you build inroads to these grant makers, secure their support — and avoid common faux pas when forging ties. -
General Operating Support10 Insider Tips to Raise General Operating Support
While many foundations and donors loosened restrictions on giving during the pandemic, it’s still unclear whether that trend will continue. Yet the costs of running a nonprofit, and holding onto talented staff, keep rising. -
Grant Seeking14 Ways to Improve Your Next Proposal and Connect With Grant Makers
With foundations expected to slow their giving this year or keep it flat, it’s more crucial than ever to create proposals that stand out. Here’s what experts advise. -
Grant SeekingHow to Write Grant Proposals That Get Results
Mismatches between the narrative and the budget and misjudgments in the project scope are among the common reasons grant proposals fail.
Templates and Resources
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Advice
A Road Map of the Foundation Landscape for Grant Seekers
A professional grant writer outlines the most common types of foundations and forms of grant proposals. -
Advice
How to Get Started with Foundation Grant Seeking
Here’s what you need to keep in mind when applying for grants from foundations. -
Advice
Seeking Grants: Key Terms and Concepts
The lingo you need to know to apply for — and win — grants from foundations. -
Advice
How to Persuade Grant Makers Your Program Is Sustainable
When evaluating proposals, foundations often want to know how a program will survive after the donation is spent. Here a consultant offers advice and shares a sample case for sustainability. -
Advice
How One Nonprofit Justified Its Project Budget to a Grant Maker
The Stapleton Foundation for Sustainable Urban Communities clearly defined how it arrived at the cost to build a new website in a grant proposal to the Aetna Foundation. -
Advice
Sample: A Successful Grant Application From a Local Arts Nonprofit
A strong relationship with a foundation helped Elders Share the Arts secure $10,000 for their program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender seniors. -
Advice
Letter of Inquiry for Grant Seeking
A Grand Rapids, Mich., childhood hunger organization uses this template as a starting point with foundations. -
Advice
A Tool to Help You Win General Operating Support
Use this sample program budget to show grant makers the “full cost” of delivering on your mission. -
Advice
Sample Annual Operating Budget for a Grant Proposal
An example of an annual budget that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine includes with grant proposals that ask for general operating support. -
Advice
Sample Project Budget for a Grant Proposal
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine recommends breaking down program income into three categories.
