Navigating the U.

S
Foundation Landscape:
How U.S and International Nonprofits
can tap into valuable resources

May 6, 2020

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Candid presenters

Catalina Spinel Inga Ingulfsen

[email protected] [email protected]
Program Manager Research Manager
New York Learning Center Global Partnerships
Pronouns: she/hers Pronouns: she/hers

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
What is Candid?
On February 1, 2019, Foundation Center and
GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a
501c3 nonprofit organization. Together, these
organizations brought a combined 88 years of
expertise and millions of data points to Candid.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Why Candid?
Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of
dollars around the world. Candid finds out where the
money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Check out our first Annual Report!

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
After our time together, you will be
better prepared to:
— Understand the fundraising
landscape in the U.S.
— Learn what makes a compelling
case for support, and how to
approach a foundation in the U.S
— Explore Candid resources
Poll

Join at
slido.com
#11943

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Fundraising landscape
in the U.S.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Private contributions by source in the U.S.
($ in billions) 5%
Corporations
$20.1
9%
Bequests
$39.7
68%
Individuals
$292.1

18%
Foundations
$75.9

Total giving: $427.7

Source: Giving USA 2019, Giving USA Foundation,

Researched and written by the Center On Philanthropy at Indiana University

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Not all foundations are alike
Private foundations
- Independent: Include most of the nation’s
largest or donor families.
- Operating: Primarily run their own programs,
but some also make grants. Generally established
by individuals or families.
-Corporate: Established by large or small
businesses, although legally separate entities.
Community foundations raise funds from the public and
engage in grantmaking primarily within a defined
geographic area.
@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
 Not all foundations are alike

Source: http://doi.org/dnw9

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
 Not all foundations are alike

Source: http://doi.org/dnw9

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
U.S. foundations give through intermediaries

Just 12% of all international giving by U.S. foundations goes directly to local
organizations based in the country intended to benefit from the funding.

General support grants awarded directly to local organizations represent just

1% of total international giving by U.S. foundations.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Private Foundation Support of International
Activities
Make grants only to U.S. 501(c)(3)s
- U.S. organizations with international programs
- “Friends of” organizations
- Regranting intermediaries

Make grants directly to nonprofit organizations

- Equivalency determination
- Expenditure responsibility Lear more about these options
- Fiscal sponsorship
- Nonprofit organizations can apply for status

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Making a compelling
case for support

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Finding funding
— Focus on your mission and the impact you have on the
communities your serve
— Prove that you are a credible and capable nonprofit
— Find the right fit
— Know the funder’s motivations and interests—show why
this is a good partnership
— Be prepared—know who you’re approaching and why

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
The proposal writing process

Planning Research Writing Follow up

What do you Who will you How to put it What to do once

need the approach? all together? the decision has
money for? been made?

Tip: Always follow the funders’ guidelines

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Typical proposal elements
– Executive Summary
– Narrative
– Statement of Need
– Project Description
– Organization
– Conclusion
– Budget
– Supporting Materials

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
You can’t survive on grants alone

- Revenues of services and products

- Individual donations
- Crowdsourcing
- Government funding (national, local)
- Company-sponsored
- International aid OECD - Organization for Economic
Co0peration and Development

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Explore Candid
resources

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Here are a few things you can do with Candid’s
resources:
Explore Strengthen
— Find funding — Improve your nonprofit
— Research and verify — Improve your foundation
nonprofits
Connect
— Explore issues
Use our data
— Stay up to date
Share
Tell your story

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

Candid's Coronavirus Pop-Up Page

Real time information on the global pandemic, and includes news,
funding data, observations, and more, and is updated regularly.

Listing of Emergency Financial Resources Related to

Coronavirus Hardships
Curated list of aid available to individuals, artists, nonprofits, and
small businesses.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
How will Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact global
civil society?
- Almost 50% of CSOs reported they would have to
close in the next 3 months without additional
funding

- Will we build back better or will civic space shrink and

power and resource imbalance between Global North and
South/East widen?

- Monitor the state of civic space in your region:

- International Center for Non-profit Law (ICNL)
- CIVICUS

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Candid’s response to Coronavirus
(COVID-19)
• Doing good in a crisis can’t afford to be colorblind

• Historical perspective in an urgent moment: the financial health of

the social sector, 1998-2017

• Global philanthropic response to coronavirus pandemic exceeds

$6 billion

• Are foundations equipped to help nonprofits survive the

pandemic?

• Foundations and the Great Recession: context for our current

crises

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
GrantSpace.org
GrantSpace provides easy-to-use, self-service tools and resources to help
nonprofits worldwide become more viable grant applicants and build strong,
sustainable organizations.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
GrantSpace.org
Candid’s Online Trainings
Online live learning opportunities designed to develop skills, practices, and
behaviors to prepare professionals in the social sector for success.

Candid’s Ask Us Service

Anyone can browse our knowledge base, email us questions – we’ll respond
within 24 to 48 hours, or chat live with one of our Online Librarians 9am –
5pm ET Monday-Friday at no cost.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
GuideStar.org
GuideStar is the world's largest source of information on
nonprofit organizations in the U.S.

We envision a nonprofit sector strong enough to tackle the great

challenges of our time. GuideStar’s Nonprofit Profiles provide you
with the information you need to make smart decisions, build
connections, and learn from each other to achieve your
mission. your

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Global Landscapes

Customized landscapes
combine multiple resources,
including data visualization
tools, original research, and
more to illuminate critical
issues in philanthropy so you
can see you where you stand.

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Global Landscapes

YouthGiving.org A hub to inspire, connect, and inform youth

grantmaking

SDGFunders.org The most comprehensive representation available of

foundations’ giving and official development
assistance aligned with the Sustainable
Development Goals

HumanRightsFunding.org Where is the money going? What are the gaps? Who
is doing what?
We developed the Advancing Human
Rights initiative to address these questions.

PeaceandSecurityIndex.org The Index tracks funding for work to prevent future

conflict, resolve existing conflict, and support
stability and peace across 24 issue areas

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Key takeaways

— Too early to know the extent of impact of the pandemic

on global civil society, but more important than ever to:
• Understand the giving landscape and consider multiple funding
sources beyond foundation grants
• Show that you are a credible nonprofit
• Find the right fit
• Always focus on the funder’s motivations and interests—show
what’s in it for them
• Be prepared—know who you’re approaching and why

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org
Thank you.
[email protected]
[email protected]

@GrantSpace
@CandidDotOrg
candid.org
This one day will pass…
Each deep breath
When this is over,
A boring Tuesday
May we never again take for granted
Life itself.
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store When this ends,
Conversations with neighbors may we find
A crowded theatre that we have become
Friday night out more like the people
we wanted to be
The taste of communion
we were called to be
A routine check-up
we hoped to be
The school rush each morning
and may we stay
Coffee with friend that way – better
The stadium roaring for each other
Because of the worst - Laura Kelly Fanucci

@CandidDotOrg | candid.org