Tips for Exploring the Database of Funders

This database of funders provides basic information from funders’ websites to help you quickly screen funding sources that may be of interest. Here are some tips for using the database and information:

• When reviewing the listings, keep in mind that few funders prioritize kinship services by name. Instead, funders tend to prioritize activities (e.g., human services, recreation, legal services, etc.) that could be offered to support kinship/grandfamilies. Other funders prioritize population groups such as children and families, older adults, and rural populations, all of which may include kinship/grandfamilies.

• Some funders’ priorities are very broad. For example, the funding priority of the Ballantine Family Fund in Colorado is to “enhance…the quality of life in Southwest Colorado.” To get a clearer picture of the types of programs and projects such funders prefer, review their list of past grantees.

• Don’t immediately exclude funders that prioritize children if your organization primarily serves older adults. If you’re offering respite for older kin caregivers by providing supervised activities for children like tutoring or summer camps, then you are serving children. Likewise, if your organization primarily supports children in kinship/grandfamilies, don’t automatically reject funders that prioritize older adults. First consider how your children’s services may benefit older kin caregivers.

• Don’t shy away from funders that require a recommendation from one of their employees or board members as part of their funding process. If no one you know immediately comes to mind, search your contacts (your board members, employees, volunteers, etc.) or start networking within and outside your organization to find a connection.

• While all funders want to invest in improving lives, individual areas of interest, or society at large, keep in mind that different types of funders (e.g., corporations, community foundations, family foundations, etc.) may have additional objectives or constraints influencing their funding decisions. Learn more from Grantmakers in Aging.

• Carefully read all of a funder’s guidelines. Pay close attention to eligibility requirements. Does a funder accept requests from all types of nonprofits, government, educational institutions, etc. or just certain ones? Also note any geographical restrictions. Does the funder restrict funding to applicants headquartered in certain areas, located in certain areas (suggesting branch offices may be eligible), or providing services in certain areas (suggesting eligible applicants may include those located outside the service area). When in doubt, asking a funder a quick question may be worth the effort.

• Finally, remember, these lists are not exhaustive. We hope this database is as much of an inspiration as a resource. If you see a type of funder, such as a community foundation, that doesn’t provide funding to your service area, try searching for one that does. Other funding sources that tend to be in most communities and prioritize activities offered by kinship/grandfamily service providers include corporate giving programs of banks, credit unions, realtors, utility companies, and grocery stores.