I found this very helpful and the process is not that unlike what was my experience in my former life as an academic. Thank you for taking the time.
Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2023 04:33 PM
From: Stephanie Macgill (she/her)
Subject: Community Conversations - 11/13/23 - Changing the Game in Animal Grantmaking
Hi Traci, Irene and Nadia have provided great answers and a I'll echo: when foundations offer ways to engage with their awesome team, take advantage of those opportunities.
I'll also offer some general tips from my POV as a grant writer. Building relationships with grant makers is like building any other relationship. Be yourself, ask as many questions as you answer, and recognize that authentic relationships take time to form.
When foundations have professional staff, there is usually contact information you can find for a program officer or grants specialist on the foundation's website or their 990 form. Reach out to the program officer, introduce yourself and your organization, and either ask for a call to learn more about the grantmaker--what do they fund, what is their decision making process, and what do they like for reporting and recognition--or ask these questions via email. Down the road (on the "third date") you can also invite them to come tour your facility, meet your leadership and staff, and play with some kittens. Invite prospective partners to a community event your organization is hosting, or to lunch to learn more about each other. They may say no, but you never know.
Also, always take care to read a funder's website thoroughly (if they have one) before reaching out so you aren't asking questions you could have found answers to. The number one rule in grant writing is to follow instructions. Take the time to read, research, and digest so you are prepared and make good use of a foundation's staff's time.
If a foundation doesn't accept unsolicited applications, then you'll want to tweak your questions to learn more about them and what it might take to be considered for their next round of invitations. Do NOT send in an application if they accept them only by invitation!
I hope that helps!
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Stephanie Macgill
Founder
SixOneFive Oracles
AR
Original Message:
Sent: 11-13-2023 03:08 PM
From: Traci Tingley
Subject: Community Conversations - 11/13/23 - Changing the Game in Animal Grantmaking
I'm Traci from West Columbia Gorge Humane Society and I've only been in this community of animal helpers for the last year. I too wonder about how to go about building relationships with grant makers. Thanks for any ideas or maybe this is a topic for another conversation. Today's information was a great help. Thank you for coordinating and participating.
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Traci Tingley
Grant Writer
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society
WA
Original Message:
Sent: 11-13-2023 12:04 PM
From: Karina Reyes
Subject: Community Conversations - 11/13/23 - Changing the Game in Animal Grantmaking
Hi, I'm Karina from Citizen Canine Senior Dog Rescue. I really enjoyed today's presentation. Thank you to Nadia, Rory, and Irene for sharing information about the orgs you represent and your grant programs. How does one build the kind of relationships that would lead to an invitation to apply for a grant? The suggestion of building relationships is broad idea. With whom should these relationships be cultivated? It seems like a lot of this would have to be virtual. In the academic world, conferences where one could present their work was a main forum for nurturing such relationships. How does it work in the animal welfare context? Thanks!
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Karina Reyes
President, CEO
Citizen Canine Senior Dog Rescue
IL
Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2023 12:25 PM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: Community Conversations - 11/13/23 - Changing the Game in Animal Grantmaking
We hope to see you on Monday, 11/13/23 at 11am PT at the last Community Conversations call of November for a panel discussion on, "Changing the Game in Animal Grantmaking." We've gathered a group of panelists from animal grantmaking organizations to share insights into their mission-driven work. Hear from folks at Maddie's Fund, Michelson Found Animals Foundation, PetSmart Charities and UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and learn more about how they're approaching their philanthropy and changing the game for animal grantmaking.
Panelists:
Maddie's Fund will also be announcing the October grant winners for Community Conversations and Maddie's Pet Forum. Be sure to tune in to see if you've won!
Register here for our Weekly Community Conversations Calls taking place on Mondays at 11am PT: maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration
If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like. After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this November entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-nov23-giveaway.htm
#FundraisingandDevelopment
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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
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