Looking for Money? Research Funding Aligned with Your Mission.

You can learn how to find grants for nonprofits and individuals at my virtual course for novice grant seekers and grant writers. Limited class size. Learn more. But in the meantime, keep reading on to discover week’s tip – it’s 2 of my three simple tips to help newcomers navigate the process and find grants that truly align with your mission and goals.

“All money ain’t good money” as defined in the Urban Dictionary, “Getting or taking money can sometimes lead to repercussions or consequences.” In the world of grant seeking, the old adage "not all money is good money" should serve as a crucial guiding principle. While financial support is essential for the sustainability of nonprofits, the sources of funding and the conditions attached to it can impact your mission, values, and public perception.

Don’t chase money just for the money. I was reminded of this, and now that I’m recovering

from, my most recent Federal grant review experience with the Office of Minority Health.

PLEASE don’t apply for a grant that takes you away from your mission or you intentionally

shift or change your mission to “fit” the grant’s eligibility and requirements! Believe me, I saw numerous examples of “mission creep” in several of the nine (9) grant applications that

reviewed – and it’s very tempting when the grant awards are up to $600,000 annually for four

(4) years!

Another caveat, accepting funds from dubious sources or with strings attached can

compromise the organization's reputation, alienate supporters, and even undermine its

objectives. Like the phrase suggests, some financial contributions can bring more harm than

benefit. Such as the case with Florida A & M University's mega gift.

This concept of “don’t chase money” is especially relevant where your integrity and the

mission are paramount. Accepting money from sources that do not align with your mission

can lead to mission drift—a scenario where the focus shifts away from its core objectives due

to external influences. This drift can confuse your donors and stakeholders about its true

purpose. This drift is known as “mission creep”.

Another aspect of "not all money is good money" pertains to the conditions that might

accompany a donation. Some donors may impose restrictions on how their money can be

used or exert influence over the nonprofit’s activities. While earmarked donations are

common, overly restrictive conditions can limit a nonprofit's flexibility and autonomy, making

it difficult to respond to emerging needs or pursue innovative approaches.

Nonprofits must weigh the benefits of the financial support against the potential loss of

operational independence. Financial resources are vital, but the source and conditions of

these resources matter significantly. The principle that "not all money is good money"serves

as a reminder to those seeking grant support to carefully evaluate potential donations,

ensuring they align with your mission, values, and ethical standards.

Here's Tip 2: Take the time to research potential funding sources that align with your

organization's mission and projects. Look into government grants, private foundations,

corporate sponsorships, and individual donors. Look for different sources for grant funding

opportunities through:

• Government grants: Federal, state, and local government agencies often offer grants for various sectors.

• Foundations and nonprofits: Many private foundations and nonprofit organizations provide grants for specific causes. Nonprofits can subcontract/partner with other nonprofits or consultants to provide a service mix to support a community need.

• Corporate grants: Some companies offer grants as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Think about the places where you shop, the companies that you do business with…

Websites like GrantStation, GrantWatch, Foundation Directory online, and Candid for

Learning can be valuable resources for finding funding opportunities.

For my readers, I review these funding sites and others to compile my Big Mama’s

Playbook. The weekly listing highlights grant opportunities in communities where I have lived and/or worked across the country. Big Mama’s Playbook contains information on grant

awards/ranges (when available), and importantly, deadline for submission.

Remember, timing is everything. Big Mama’s Playbook also includes a link for you to find

out more information on eligibility and requirements. Start your potential list of funders

today! What types of individuals, groups, and programs the funding source is looking to

support - does the grant opportunity align with your mission? With Big Mama’s Playbook, can create your own “playbook” of sorts…

Not ready to actually submit a grant? Use Big Mam’s Playbook to familiarize yourself with

the funder’s language, application process, requirements, and their mission. As a novice grant seeker or writer, even if you are not ready to apply for a grant, take a look at the “Big Mama’s Playbook”. LINK TO PLAYBOOK

By understanding your mission and researching funding opportunities that align with

your mission, you can effectively raise the resources needed to support your organization's

mission and make a positive impact in your community. Another tip next week!

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

“Poverty was my mother's midwife. She had her children in poverty. But she also found a road to bring us a sense of purpose, and she taught us how to be valiant in the face of oppression...”

— Harry Belafonte (1927 - 2023)