For Applicants - Focus on Funders - Community Foundation

"We leverage our dollars by partnering local funders and national foundations." ~ Kate Nielsen, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

LEVERAGING DOLLARS

Coalitions of funders
Community foundation staff members speak often with donors, educating them about local needs and informing them of funding requests that may interest them. The staff works hard to leverage local dollars by bringing coalitions of funders together to support a project.
Coalitions of nonprofits
Resourceful community foundations introduce grantees to other nonprofit leaders who can complement their efforts. Sometimes the funder convenes local agencies to discuss priorities and joint problem solving. These coalitions may develop new ways of working together. The support of the local grantmakers from the very beginning enhances the opportunity for success.
Attracting national dollars
Trustees and benefactors greatly appreciate the value of adding national foundation dollars to match or amplify local funds. In addition to pride in a project that draws national attention, they also want to see funds coming into the local economy.
Technical assistance
Community foundations are a good source of advice and may pay for technical assistance before fully funding a project. These capacity-building efforts may range from buying computers to strategic planning, funding a development officer for the nonprofit or underwriting a local nonprofit resource center.