Funding

How to Find Funding

–Lydia Cullen, Amelia Lopez, Kate Mullen, Jeremy Reed

 

The following are a few quick tips to keep in mind when searching for support:

  1. Be proactive – Locating and receiving funding can take time. Be proactive and get started on your funding research as early as possible. In some cases, it is also appropriate to reach out to funders in advance, develop rapport, gather letters of support, and plan for ample time to craft your grant proposals.
  2. Be meticulous – This is one of most difficult things to do for busy advocates with limited time. However, many applications for funding are highly competitive and small typos, miscalculated budgets, or slightly missed deadlines could eliminate your proposal from the running. Allow extra time to meticulously read all guidelines for support and triple-check your work. An extra set of eyes is invaluable.
  3. Be creative – Look for a variety of funding sources and search for multiple keywords within databases, then shape your requests respectively. Does your advocacy project intersect with multiple issues, such as cultural diversity and arts education? If so, there may be a combination of grants to apply for to support the multiple aspects of your project. Could you benefit from in-kind donations (e.g. venue rental, supplies, etc.)? If so, seek this support before cash donations. Do you have a group of friends and colleagues that might be able to provide small donations? If so, you may want to start a crowdfunding campaign online to accumulate the support needed for your project.
  4. Be a good steward – When you receive any form of support, responsible stewardship is basic requirement. Make sure to set reminders for any reporting deadlines and articulate your gratitude to your funders. This is a good practice for developing a good reputation and ensuring eligibility for future rounds of support. You might also think about thanking your donors creatively through a special video, handwritten thank you notes, original artwork, or invitation to a musical performance.

List of Potential Funders

–Lydia Cullen, Amelia Lopez, Kate Mullen, Jeremy Reed

 

Below is a list of potential funding sources. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but is designed to provide a starting point for your funding research.

 

Governmental, Non-Governmental, and Learned Organizations

  • Cultural Heritage Tourism
  • Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS)
  • International Society for Education Through Art (InSEA), Grant information for projects in Africa
  • Ministries of Cultures
  • National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
  • National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF), Cultural Anthropology
  • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGRA) Grants
  • UNESCO
  • VSA Contracts

Local Arts Councils and Community Foundations

  • State Arts Councils
  • City Arts Councils
  • Neighborhood Arts Councils
  • Council on Foundations, Community Foundation Locator

Crowdfunding

  • GoFundMe
  • IndieGoGo
  • Kickstarter

In-Kind Donations

  • Donated supplies, materials, etc.
  • Volunteer support
  • Venues

Additional Funding Databases

  • Foundation Center
  • FundsforNGOs
  • Grants.gov
  • Grant-Making Agencies
  • The Grantsmanship Center – free tools for grant writing and funding, including lists of international and domestic funding agencies
  • Guidestar