Most Likely to Succeed

I recently attended a regional meeting at the Foundation Center in Atlanta. While there, I had the opportunity to hear Danah Craft, vice-president for Sun Trust Bank, speak about how to approach private foundations for funding. She gave some insight as to what types of organizations are most likely to receive funding from private foundation such as SunTrust Endowment.

This is her list of organizations she considers Most Likely to Succeed:
  • Stable Organizations with a track record
  • Organizations with a base of individual support
  • Organizations with active Board Members
  • Organizations meeting an important need in the community
  • Organizations with a good plan of action
  • Organizations that meet grant deadlines

What's your opinion? Is there anything you would add to the list? Take away?

Post your comments.


Comments

susansaylor said…
I take issue with "Stable Organizations with a track record" as a funding criteria. Without brave people with vision, non-profits would never get off the ground. Time and time again, foundations and government agencies fund innovative start-ups. This funder is only placing "safe bets" and shows little faith in non-profits w/good ideas and solid workplans w/ evaluation strategies. How are we ever going to find new solutions to old problems with that kind of thinking? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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