Here's a feel from my latest fundraising book, The Essential Fundraising Guide for K-12 Schools (A 1-Hour Book With More Than 350 Links) available on www.Amazon.com
Chapter 3
Corporate and
Foundation Grants
Corporate
Giving
Corporations
provide support to nonprofit organizations, including schools, through their
own private foundations, direct-giving programs, or both. These separate legal entities
maintain close ties with their parent organizations, and their giving philosophies
usually mirror company priorities and interests. Corporate foundations are
required to follow the laws and regulations governing private foundations,
including filing an annual Form 990-PF with the Internal Revenue Service. The
990-PF provides a complete grants list, the names of the foundation’s trustees
and officers, and other relevant information.
Having
access to 990-PFs will assist you in determining the giving trends of a particular
foundation as well as the size of the grants made and other
vital data. Fortunately, 990-PFs are public
records, and you can access these documents through the Foundation Center and
tax returns for foundations in state attorneys general offices. For additional
information on accessing 990-PF Forms go to: http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/990finder/
In
addition to corporate foundations, corporations are also involved
in direct-giving programs. These giving programs
are not separately incorporated
and the IRS does not require the corporation to
adhere to private foundation laws or regulations, including the filing of Form
990-PF. Corporations are allowed to deduct up to 10 percent of their pre-tax
income for charitable purposes.
In
my work in the public schools, I have discovered that corporations typically
contribute in those communities where their employees live and work. I have
also discovered that corporations are interested in forming partnerships with
the schools and typically contribute dollars, equipment, and resource personnel
to the schools. Some corporations have mini-grant programs. Others have
mentoring and volunteer programs for kids and schools. Become familiar with all
the corporations located in or near your school or school district and involve and
welcome them in your schools. Invite corporate CEOs to become members of your
foundation board or your Board of Trustees. Many of the people working at these
corporations have kids or grandkids attending your schools. They want to
contribute to your cause. Ask for their help!
Independent
Foundations
Independent
(private) foundations are nongovernmental, usually have a principal fund or
endowment, are managed by a board of trustees and directors, and give cash and non-cash
gifts to the schools. America’s 1,000 leading private foundations have given annually
to colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, and the schools. They typically
support charitable, educational, religious, and other causes that serve the
public good.
Independent
foundations are interested in funding “excellence” and innovation in the public
schools. They typically have not been interested in compensatory education or
remedial types of programs, although some foundations do support these efforts.
Independent foundations are concerned with bringing about change in a positive
manner or in enhancing and supplementing outstanding existing programs. Some
foundations support math, science, and the environment, while others are
interested in music, art, and dance. Certain foundations give preference to
computer technology and literacy, while still others are interested in health
education, parent education, and staff development. Some independent foundations
support capital equipment, however, only insofar as the equipment is directly
related to a clear vision and an overall program plan.
Most
recently, a number of independent foundations have become interested in the
charter school movement and have given millions of dollars to the schools. As
such, many charter schools have more dollars per child behind them. What this
suggests is that with more dollars behind each child, and with more innovative
programming, the public schools can and will succeed. I am very interested in
seeing more private and public dollars flow to the public schools just like at
the public colleges and universities.
Community
Foundations
There are more than 700 community
foundations across the United States. These foundations are usually made up of individuals,
businesses, and organizations located in specific communities or regions.
Within certain parameters, anyone can be a donor to a community foundation.
Donors can give cash, stock, bonds, real estate, and other assets. These gifts
can usually be made within the lifetime of the donors or through their estates,
with the donors receiving maximum tax benefits.
There
are community foundations located in every state in the United
States. Grants from these foundations help to
support charitable groups and programs working to improve the quality of life
within a specific community or region. Over the past several years, I have
observed community foundations become more interested in the public schools. Competitive
grant programs such as teachers’ funds to assist classroom teachers with mini-grants
have been established. I have been fortunate to work with the San Diego
Community Foundation as Chairperson of the Teacher Fund Committee. Since 1995,
the Teacher Fund Committee has distributed more than $1 million in teacher
mini-grants.
Other
types of innovative grants are also being made to schools by community
foundations to provide funding for programs that improve teaching and learning
in the classroom. These foundations are sprouting up all over the country. They
are a good source of funding for teachers, schools, and school districts. Take
the time to locate the community foundations in your area of
the country and get to know the people who are
responsible for awarding grants and gifts.
Pro
Bono and In-Kind Gifts
There are many opportunities for
schools and school districts to obtain pro bono and in-kind gifts from
corporations and foundations in your community. Study the links below and make
personal contacts for assistance.
