What are the best ways to engage with family foundations?

1 Understand their mission and values

Before you approach a family foundation, you need to understand their mission and values, and how they align with yours. Family foundations are usually created by individuals or families who want to support causes that are meaningful to them, and they may have specific criteria, goals, and expectations for their grantees. You can find out more about a family foundation by visiting their website, reading their annual reports, and following their social media accounts. You can also look for clues in their past and current grants, and see how they measure their impact and outcomes.

2 Build a personal connection

Family foundations are not just institutions, they are people. They are often run by family members who have a strong emotional attachment to their philanthropy, and who value personal relationships with their grantees. To engage with them, you need to build a personal connection that goes beyond your proposal and your budget. You can do this by reaching out to them via email, phone, or social media, and expressing your genuine interest in their work and vision. You can also ask them for advice, feedback, or referrals, and show your appreciation for their support. You can also invite them to visit your programs, events, or facilities, and share stories and testimonials from your beneficiaries.

4 Demonstrate your impact and sustainability

Family foundations want to see that their grants are making a difference and that their grantees are capable of sustaining their work. To engage with them successfully, you need to demonstrate your impact and sustainability in a clear and compelling way. You can do this by defining your goals, objectives, and indicators, and by collecting and analyzing data and evidence that show your progress and outcomes. You can also show how you use feedback and learning to improve your work and address challenges. You can also showcase your other sources of income, your fundraising strategy, and your financial management skills.

5 Cultivate long-term relationships

Family foundations are not just transactional donors, they are potential long-term partners. They may have a multi-year grant cycle, or they may be interested in supporting your work beyond funding. To engage with them effectively, you need to cultivate long-term relationships that are based on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. You can do this by maintaining regular and honest communication, by reporting on your achievements and challenges, and by acknowledging and thanking them for their support. You can also seek opportunities to collaborate, network, or learn from them, and to leverage their expertise, connections, or influence.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?