Foundation Funders: Does 'No' Mean 'Maybe'? | ADA Compliance, ChatGPT for Nonprofits, NTEE Insights

Explore how foundation funders' responses can evolve and learn about key topics like ADA compliance, ChatGPT for nonprofits, and the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities in this insightful blog.

1. FoundationSearch Blog
With foundation funders, does “No” mean “Maybe”? – Part 1

2. A sizeable number of the more than 121,000 foundations in the US -19,888-
indicate that they do not accept unsolicited proposals.

3. But is this really an effective or advisable strategy?
Internet research on the topic reveals that Bradley Smith, the President of
Foundation Center, wrote about this topic in 2011 in a blog post entitled
“Don’t Call us, We’ll Call You”.

4. This is what we learned:
19,988 foundations indicate that they do not accept unsolicited proposals.
Of these, 4,608 of these foundations – 23% – provided no grants to new recipients
over the period analyzed. But 15,380 of these foundations – 77% – in actual fact
did provide grants to multiple new recipients over the period analyzed.

5. First; don’t be too quick to write off a foundation that states that they are not soliciting proposals
–FoundationSearch provides detailed charts in each foundation profile indicating new vs repeat
recipients by year.
Second; for those funders who are in fact funding new recipients year over year, you will need to
find another way in the door – more on this in my next blog.

6. Thankyou