This is one of the easiest ways for nonprofits to build bridges to the corporate community, establish long-term relationships, and take every opportunity to educate corporations about a societal need and about your approach to addressing it. Remember, corporations are made up of people. A company's grantmaking first and foremost indicates a person's or a group of people's interest in leveraging corporate resources to give back to the community. Understandably, this is not a company's top priority. When a company uses resources that could readily be allocated for new equipment, product development, or the hiring of employees, a charitable gift must necessarily provide some element of recognition or benefit to the company.
Corporate philanthropy balances altruism and self-interest.
Nonprofits need to recognize these needs by explaining how you might work together for mutual benefit. Go to the Source. The IRS requires every private foundation to file a Form 990 PF each year. Copies of the tax returns are available at GuideStar.org. If the Form 990 does not provide the information you are seeking, you may want to send a letter of inquiry to the foundations you have reason to think might be realistic prospects.