Foundations publish their funding priorities along with their grant application guidelines regularly. It is essential that before even a preliminary conversation is initiated, the potential grantee be familiar with those funding interests and priorities. This actually saves both the Foundation and the grantee time through this self-select process. This approach usually is unsuccessful because it results in a proposal that to the experienced reviewer appears to pander to the foundation, to be more concerned about getting money than improving society. Projects that are grounded in one of these commitments have the potential of attracting foundation support.
Foundations pay a lot of attention to institutional and individual achievement and reputation.
It is comparatively harder to get a first grant than it is to get subsequent ones. A good proposal which is rejected should stimulate further interest, continued contact and, eventually, another proposal. Some specific examples are presented here to further clarify the previous guide. A faculty member has found that the attendance in one of her classes without exception far exceeds the attendance of another class. She makes an initial inquiry at Sara Lee a foundation known for interest in programs that will help students succeed especially students of color.