This applies to new organizations, new projects in old organizations, or old organizations exploring new funding sources. Spend ample time with your board and colleagues to devise a clear, if flexible, plan of action before contacting any donor. Marshal all the assets you can. For new or old organizations, you want to demonstrate to funders that you have plenty of brainpower, access, knowledge, experience, et cetera, behind the project. Frequently, you can supplement staff assets with boards, either governing or advisory boards, which add dimension to your profile.
Donors invest in people as much as ideas.
Too many applicants come to us, for example, with do-nothing boards of directors. That ' s a waste, and a sign of poor management. Research the funders. Before approaching a funder with a proposal, find out as much as you can about the foundation. Get their last two or three annual reports.