A week after my phone call with Salesforce, I decide that not all is lost. I can put that backgrounder to good use.
Large funders, I’ve learned, like to see that you have local foundation support. Here, that would be the San Francisco Foundation.
Judging from its website, we seem a perfect fit for one of its Equity Grants. We’re inclusive! We train a lot of minority journalists. We’re committed to remedying racial inequities: We are one of the only news sites in San Francisco covering the police department’s abysmally slow reform process –—a process that in the end could result in profound changes in the treatment of communities of color.
“Check back for more information about our next funding cycle,” is the message I see at the end of January.
Not to be deterred, I send an email introducing Mission Local and attaching that forlorn backgrounder. I wait. February goes by, March too. I follow up in April. Five days later, I hear from Maria Healey, the senior administrative manager of programs.
“The foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited requests …. ”
“The Equity Grants Program – which is the foundation’s “open call” for proposals aligned with the guidelines of the program – will open in January, 2020.”
Alas, that’s the extent of the information. There’s no hint how to apply for funds through the “new grantee portal.” I picture the foundation expelling streams of $1,000 bills – None headed my way.
Earlier Columns
Upstart : Never say Die, Salesforce Act 2, July 2, 2019
Upstart: First thought best thought? Salesforce Act 1, June 25, 2019
Upstart: The same (trying to raise money) but different (Mission Local is a nonprofit).Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
Hi Lydia, the San Francisco Foundation might well decide to fund your org if it really does align with their equity grants. Most all foundations have a structured internal process to review grant proposals by program; otherwise, they would be living in chaos all year long bombarded by random grant requests/inquiries from every nonprofit and individual in their region. Don’t give up on them or feel discouraged! Do you all have a grant writer on your staff/consultant you can bring on board?
Please note: The San Francisco Foundation Grantee Portal specifically states ” In order to be considered for funding, the first step is for you to introduce yourself and tell us about your organization. Please click on the “Create an account Now” button below to start.” Did you create a profile? That’s the first step!!! This is the “hint” they are giving you:) There is nothing else you can do right now.
There probably/hopefully will be an invitation sent to attend an Equity Grant Program info session at the foundation closer to the Jan 2020 date. Just be patient. Create a profile so you are in the foundation’s official system and can receive notifications etc. As Jan 2020 gets closer, you will/should be given much more info/support on how to apply via their online system. But also be proactive and check their Equity Grants pages in the couple months leading up to Jan 2020. The foundation is newly launching this program so they are most likely in the middle of figuring out internally what they are specifically looking for to achieve their intended/desired outcomes for most impact for the funding. Read as – they are not ready to review orgs to potentially fund quite yet but are preparing to do so come Jan 2020.
Applying for grants is like a dating process to see if a symbiotic relationship will most likely exist btwn the two- are the two orgs mutually aligned towards the same goals/outcomes? The SFF WANTS to fund orgs that align with its mission for the equity grants program. They have the funds and NEED orgs to carry out their program’s mission. Its a lock and key system. They need good orgs doing the work as much as those orgs need them. Remember, it’s a relationship. And healthy relationships do have boundaries. The SFF was upholding its (necessary) boundaries in its email response back to you. Don’t be upset/discouraged/give up on the foundation bc of this. Keep up the great work but don’t write off the San Francisco Foundation or any other foundation just because they are not ready to fund your org this instant.
Tip: Create a document and write down the foundation and the grant program you feel you align with and the date (if given) that grant cycle begins. You might just find yourself with an extensive calendar of upcoming grant proposals due at varying times of the year.. those $1,000 (or hopefully $10,000) grant checks will come your way once you understand the process and start engaging with it as such. Foundations WANT to fund good orgs. SFF is not being difficult or mysterious. The information on how to apply for the Equity Grant Program will come as they are ready to share it.
Good Luck!
Thank you. This was very useful – for myself and, I’m guessing, for others as well.