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Hi, friend! 👋

I recently put out my first poll on LinkedIn, asking people what they feel is the most challenging aspect of finding funding.
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I thought I knew the answer.

I thought I was going to get scores of people telling me that time was the biggest challenge. I thought that because that's what I've heard in a lot of my conversations with nonprofit executives and staff looking for grant opportunities.
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I still might be right... But the one person who responded to my poll didn't agree with me.
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So, Cody, this one's for you! (Everyone else should still pay attention though.)
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​(Side note: if you're looking for meaningful content on strategy, business operations, and more, check out Cody Hand. Truly an awesome guy and a great follow!)

How to Connect with Funders

For Cody, connecting with potential funders is the most challenging aspect of finding grant opportunities. And it wouldn't have been in the poll if I didn't know this was a significant challenge.
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It can be difficult, not to mention incredibly daunting, to reach out to a potential funder and say,

"Hey. I've got this program. You've got money. Let's go!"
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So don't do that. Do this instead.
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​First Things First - Learn about the funder.​
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The most important thing to remember when trying to connect with a funder is that you have to know your audience. Before you even try any of the options below, you need to research the funder to understand their priorities, where they fund, what they've funded, etc.

You need to know what they care about so that you can show them how what you're doing is aligned with that (and if it isn't, then you shouldn't be approaching them). The more you can make the connection between their mission and yours, the more apt they'll be to listen.
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​Option 1: Reach out​
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Introductory calls and emails are a classic way to start a conversation. And that's all you're trying to do here. Look through their staff list on their website and try to determine who would be the best person to reach out to and then just reach out.

If you've done your research, you know that they should care about what you're doing. So all you have to do is talk to them about it and help them make that same connection. And I highly suggest you make life easier for yourself by creating an email template and/or phone call script that you can easily tailor to each funder.
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​Option 2: Engage your network. ​
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Whether it's friends, family, staff, colleagues, your board, etc., we all have a network of relationships we can tap into. Some people in our network might even have relationships with potential funders.

For example, you might have a board member who used to sit on the board of a local foundation. Or maybe your friend's significant other is in a leadership position at a corporation you think would be a great sponsor for your next event. Ask them to introduce you or connect you to the right people. Getting on a funder's radar through someone you know gives you a leg up.
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Here's a tip to get started: Gather up a list of potential funders and send it to your board and staff asking if anyone has connections to any of the funders on the list.
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​Option 3: Meet them where they are.​
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There's a social work tenet that says to meet the client where they are. Well for you, the client is the potential funder. And you need to meet them where they are.
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That could mean following and engaging with them on social media platforms. Joining local groups and associations that funders are part of, like the chamber of commerce. Or even attending a funder's events, whether it's a gala, speaking event, or community program. Just come prepared to share about your work if the opportunity arises.

It all comes down to building relationships.

Doing one or all of these isn't easy or quick work. It takes time and effort. But it's worth it. This is how you build relationships. And that's the key to getting funding: relationships.
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Here's my last piece of advice for you and this is a big one: Don't wait until you need funding or you're about to submit a proposal to do these things. ​
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Get started now. Then, when the time comes and you want to apply for a grant, you've already made the connection. You've been building the relationship. And when they see your application, they'll say:

"Hey. I know them. They have a program. We've got money. Let's go!"

Kind regards,

Brandon Green, LMSW, GPC
www.brandongreenconsulting.com
bgreen@brandongreenconsulting.com

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Whenever you're ready, here are some ways I might be able to help you:

• Grant packet writing: Imagine having a template that can serve as a starting point for each grant you write. I can help you create that.
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• Grant reviewing: Want another set of eyes on your proposal? Send it my way and I'll give you feedback and coaching on how to improve your chance of being awarded.
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• Picking my brain: Have a burning grants question or situation you need some help thinking through? Schedule a 30-minute call and let's chat about it!
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• Coaching: Need more than 30 minutes? Want help building a grants system or working through a specific proposal? Reach out and let's see if one-on-one coaching might be a good fit for you.
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• Online courses: I'm working on a course focused on everything prospecting and I can't wait to share it with you! Stay tuned.

If you'd like to take advantage of any of these, just send me an email asking for more information.