NPPC Prospect Research Packages

Good prospect research is essential for nonprofit organizations that are serious about grant development. It sets the stage for establishing an aggressive calendar of grant requests. That being said, I would like to take a moment to tell you how I do prospect research. I think this is important because I have run across more than one list of prospects, paid for by a new client, where they were ineligible to apply for most of the prospects on the list. Most of the ineligibility was geographic, which to me is inexcusable, as geography is one of the easiest criteria to search for and confirm or eliminate in legitimate and thorough prospect research. My best guess is that the person paid to do the research simply ran a database search and provided all the prospects that came up in the search.

A database search is a great place to start, but is by no means the place to conclude the process. I start with a web-based subscription database search, usually the Foundation Directory Online. I also periodically use GrantsWatch as it includes governmental opportunities and seems to have some listings that FDO does not have. I develop a list of keywords and establish the geographic parameters of the search. Once I have conducted the search, I go in and review each potential prospect (i.e., geography, mission fit, do they accept applications? etc.). If the prospective funder has a website, I click through to make sure I am seeing the most up to date information. I review 990s to get a sense of giving range and the types of organization the prospect actually funds. This is where you can see a list of grants awarded during the year telling you that, even though the Foundation Directory Online profile says the funder is interested in the environment, they are really only giving to zoos and animal shelters, so the wetlands cleanup project you are conducting research for is probably not a fit. Or, the profile says that the geographic coverage area is California, but the only giving is in Los Angeles. You get the idea.

Then, I methodically record the results of the research. I use a spreadsheet system, and capture the following information (if available) for each prospect:

Name
Funding Range
Deadline(s)
Award Date (only sporadically available)
Brief Description of Interests & Priorities
Contact Information
URL

Time consuming? Yes! But worth its weight in gold. Now, you will have a list of prospects that will be smaller, but for which you are eligible. So, now that you know what I do, if you are interested in one of my Prospect Research Packages, just fill out the Contact Page http://npprosperity.net/contact/ and I will connect with you soon! peace ~ Brenda