3 California foundations offer guidance to grant seekers

 In Fundraising, Health

THE WORDS, “if you know one foundation, you know one foundation,” rang true for three panelists who spoke at the Foundation Center in San Francisco last week during Funding for Health and Human Services Month. Local foundation representatives advised grant seekers on what they like and what they don’t like when it comes to grant funding requests. And guess what?

If you know one foundation, you know one foundation

The Panelists:

Guidance from Three Unique California Foundations
Key insights Bella Vista Foundation The California Wellness Foundation McKesson Foundation
Type of Foundation Family Healthcare conversion Corporate
Geographic focus Varies by focus area Statewide Nationwide with HQ in San Francisco
What are your funding priorities?

Early Childhood

Ecosystem Restoration

8 Health Areas and a Special Projects fund

Community Health Centers (by invitation only through National Association of CHCs)

Mobile health research

How can a grantseeker cultivate a relationship? Review the website carefully; call with questions regarding a possible "fit." Go to the website: "Everything is there." Mail in a 1-2 page letter of inquiry (10% chance of receiving invitation to write full proposal). Go to the website for next chance to submit a letter of intent for mobile health research projects.
What are you looking for in a proposal? Show evidence of your expertise. Describe your organization’s target population, not the merits of your executive director. What does your organization do and why are you the one to do it? What is your voice in the policy arena? Promising research to find out what works in mobile health. Evidence does not exist today.
What are red flags? Don’t "parrot back" our words from the guidelines. Will disqualify your letter of inquiry if it exceeds 2 pages. Letters addressed to the wrong name
Tips for funded programs Write thoughtful progress reports. Write thoughtful progress reports. Write thoughtful progress reports.

Related post:
12 tips for nonprofits seeking grant money

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