• Make use of your contacts and networks. Knowing a member of the Board of Directors of a foundation is a definite advantage in having your project approved. Also, key people with other organizations that receive support from a foundation can provide valuable recommendations in favour of your application for support.
  • Be clear about your goals and objectives. This will not only simplify the assessment of your proposal, but also ensure an appropriate match between the foundation and your organization.
  • Include a realistic and well thought-out budget with your proposal. Present a brief history of the project, highlighting other fundraising initiatives and your plans for on-going management. Keep in mind that most foundations will not support operating costs, debt reduction, or projects that may become profit making.
  • Most foundations will only support a society that has received charitable status from Revenue Canada. The process of acquiring this status usually takes three to six months, although it may take considerably longer to satisfy Revenue Canada that the objects of your organization constitute charitable activities.

Resources for Foundations, Charities Societies:

Publications:

The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy publishes extensive material on Canada’s charitable sector.

  • The Canadian Directory to Foundations and Grants. The book is expensive to purchase, but it can be borrowed from public libraries across Canada and it is also available through online database.
  • Building Foundation Partnerships (1995). A how-to manual that covers the basics of foundation fundraising and proposal writing.
  • Creating Effective Partnerships with Businesses (1996). A guide to corporate fundraising for charities and non-profits in Canada.
  • Planning Successful Fundraising Programs (1990). A popular book outlining everything you need to get started in fundraising.

The Canadian Information Source also supplies publications on charitable groups in Canada.

  • Grant Foundations Guide (2000). A listing of 2500 private and public organizations supporting non-profit, charitable and religious organizations in the Maritimes.
  • The Maritime Government Programs Guide (1999). A listing of every federal and provincial grant, loan and assistance program available to non-profit or profit groups in the Maritime provinces.
  • Guide to Granting Corporations. A listing of the top 1000 corporations who have had a history of supporting non-profit charities and religious efforts.

Patron Lists:
Lists of patrons that support projects and organizations similar to yours can be useful in the search for funders. Patron lists can be found in magazines dedicated to not-for- profit organizations such as Crossroads, and on Internet homepages and newsletters of established charities and societies. Keep in mind that some foundations prefer to remain anonymous in order to avoid receiving excessive numbers of project proposals.

Big Online:
Big Online is a database of funding sources throughout Canada and the United States that is operated by Metasoft Systems Inc. It includes foundation profiles, government sources, contact information, sample proposals and weekly news updates. Metasoft charges a fee for user access and in turn provides full access to its listing of almost 5,000 funding opportunities.