How do I get started?
The first step in grant-seeking is to develop your concept into a marketable idea. The best way to begin this step is to talk with your department chairperson or dean. You may also want to research similar concepts at other institutions to see how they have taken the idea to fruition. Once you have a more defined direction, it may be time to start seeking external support. At this point, you should draft a working proposal summarizing your project.
When and why should I contact the Office of Development?
You should contact our office after you have come up with a working proposal. We maintain files on many of the larger foundations and try to be as up to date as possible on the types of projects they are currently funding. We can also help you research smaller foundations that may be a better fit for your proposal. Some foundations issue periodic Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) looking to fund specific projects. If we cannot find a foundation or a RFP that aligns well with your ideas, it is helpful for us to know you are looking for funding in case we come across something in our other research. We can then contact you if a good opportunity presents itself.
Additionally, we would like to make sure there is no direct competition for funding between proposals. If we are able to track which foundations are being solicited for which projects, we can better assess where the best opportunities for funding are.
How do I determine whether my project will appeal to foundations?
Some foundations are open to any idea that furthers higher education; some are very specific in their interests. Most foundations identify key focus areas that they are most likely to fund. Through our research we have become familiar with general themes each foundation adheres to and can help develop your proposal to meet a foundation’s specified interests. It is generally a good idea to identify larger themes in your proposal in order for us to better decide how to best market it to a foundation.
Because Gardner-Webb is primarily a teaching institution, grants for research are sometimes less favored. Proposals that are geared towards student development are more likely to be met with enthusiasm.
What kind of funding am I allowed to seek?
Gardner-Webb does not accept federal funding of any kind, except when it is given directly to a student to help with their tuition (for example, federal Pell Grants are acceptable). This rule should not discourage you, however, from seeking funding from private foundations. Private foundations have proven to be integral to the support and advancement of Gardner-Webb and are an essential resource in our development. If you have a question about whether a funding source is appropriate for Gardner-Webb, please contact us before proceeding.
Furthermore, many foundations do not allow their grants to be used for indirect costs. When you are developing your budget, be aware of the costs that the foundation will or will not fund.
After I’ve contacted the Office of Development, what should I expect?
After we have been able to review your proposal and match it up with potential funding sources, we will meet with you concerning the next step in the process. Most likely, if there is a matching foundation or RFP available, we will provide you with specific guidelines for proposal submittal. In many cases, a foundation will ask for Gardner-Webb’s history, documents proving its tax-exempt status, and/or a letter from the President. We can satisfy all of these ancillary requirements for you so you can focus on the substantive parts of the proposal.
We will also determine what would be the best way to intiate contact with the foundation. We may decide that the most effective contact may be a phone call or a letter of inquiry instead of a full proposal. We may also want to set up a visit between the foundation, yourself, and a member of our staff in order to develop a more long term relationship with the foundation.
Once both the procedural and substantive portions of the application have been met, and we have alerted the foundation of our upcoming proposal, we may then submit it for their consideration.
How long does the entire process take?
It is usually a long process, and months may pass before we hear anything on the status of your application. Most foundations are run by a Board of Directors that meet infrequently to determine what projects they would like to fund for that year. For this reason, we ask that you begin the process and contact us as far in advance as possible.
What happens after I receive funding?
If your proposal is granted, the foundation will usually provide us with a letter outlining the University’s obligations under the grant. It may be that they require periodic updates on your progress, or on the status of a fund they have decided to establish. With your help, we can keep up-to-date with all of these deadlines.
If you have any other questions, or would like us to review a proposal you may have, please contact the Office of Development.
