PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

SERVICES

Proposal Writing

Primary Activities
Assist clients in organizing the grant-seeking function as a separate program within an overall foundation relations program. Assist clients in establishing and building relationships with foundations that fall under the categories of private or independent foundations, family foundations and community foundations.

An organized foundation relations program serves as a catalyst for developing strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships between foundations and a non-profit organization. A formal foundation relations program will also help increase private and public awareness of the work of an organization. Activities include the following:

Foundation Targeting

Identifying and tracking funding opportunities; researching and identifying private and public foundation funding sources that match program and operating needs.

Foundation Background Research 

Informing client of competitive RFPs (requests for proposals), open-ended calls for proposals, award opportunities and other foundation-based funding opportunities.

Proposal Development and/or Guidance

Assisting client with the writing of proposals and/or coordinating the development, submission and support of proposals presented to foundations.

Proposal Review

Overseeing the proposal development and writing process, assuring adherence to funders’ requirements and submission deadlines.

Foundation Relationship Building and Stewardship

Coordinating grant-related activities and reporting throughout the organization.  Participating in meetings related to grant needs and application deadlines.

Prospect Identification

Total Cost:  Negotiable. Dependent on total number of prospects and donors in each organization’s database and the total cost of the electronic resources used to identify and verify and qualify each prospect.

Making use of various electronic research tools ranging from the Standard & Poor Register of Executives and Directors, Dun & Bradstreet Business Reports (D&B), Lexis-Nexis for Development Professionals, the Foundation Center Directory Online and others, an extensive search for alumni from specific institutions will be conducted. This prospecting method is very helpful for secondary schools, universities and colleges planning to launch capital campaigns.

Zip Code Search:

We will identify all the prominent private and public companies, as well as foundations, within a specific zip code(s) or zip code range. Reports will include company and foundation profiles, with the names of key officers and directors.

Real Estate Evaluations:

Note:  Expenses are billed in addition to above fees.  Most profiles will be completed in five to ten working days. Lists for 20 or more prospects may take longer.

Prospect Research

Complete Individual Profile

All available public information on an individual is provided in an easy-to-read profile format that can be put to immediate use. This comprehensive approach to profiling includes biographical, corporate, and philanthropic information (including affiliations with private foundations). If the information is available, a wealth assessment is provided, including property holdings, stock holdings and compensation history.

Complete Corporate Profile:

Full corporate information on public companies, including Proxy and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documentation is provided (for U.S. companies). For private companies, information from Dun & Bradstreet business reports is provided. For corporations with foundations, a brief profile of corporate giving activity, and a short biography of the Chief Executive Officer or President and current news articles are included.

A current and in depth foundation profile that includes foundation assets, officers and a complete listing of grants made during the past three to five years is provided. In depth profiles for foundations make use of the most recent IRS 990 forms published through Guidestar (http://www.guidestar.org) and offer brief biographies of primary foundation officers.

Prices:

Profiles of Individuals:

1 - 49               Cost:  $300 per full profile
50 or more      Cost:  $150 per full profile

Corporate and Foundation Profiles (including biographical background on key individuals):

Product: Working list of viable corporate and foundation prospects with recommendations for strategy and approach.

Perform keyword searches of databases representing all federal grant programs and more than 100,000 foundation/corporate giving sources within the U.S.

• Identify funding sources with interests that match the programs and priority needs of the client

• Conduct grant source research

• Alert client to grant opportunities

• Provide ongoing advice and consultation over the phone or through e-mail.

Foundation Finder:

A search of foundations that support a client’s goals and interests. This search is done using various electronic research tools and custom-tailored for your institution or organization.

Note:  Expenses are billed in addition to above fees. Expenses include costs of D&B business reports. Most profiles will be completed in five to ten working days. Lists for 20 or more prospects may take longer. 

2-day comprehensive on-site training.  Cost:  $2,500 plus travel expenses if incurred.  Curriculum includes:

• Defining levels of research;

• Providing data and analysis of prospect activities, interests, philanthropic engagement, and financial capacity

• Applying formulas for estimating giving capacity

• Establishing and maintaining a resource library, hardcopy and online

• Using the Internet for prospect research and fundraising