The tips, summarized below, will be useful to any organization. Words to Live By Foundations are like investors looking for good ideas and organizations with the demonstrated capacity to carry out its plan. Each foundation has its own guidelines and preferred approach. Programs and foundation guidelines do not need to be a perfect match, but they do need to overlap. Financial information is useful to funders and to any organization for efficient planning and allocation of resources.
Foundations traditionally give less that the funds requested.
If they say no calls, believe them. Many encourage conferring during the proposal process, but don't expect them to initiate it. If funded, keep in touch, sending updates on activities 2-3 times a year. If running into trouble with funded program, let funder know. They might be able to help or amend the proposal.