How do you make a successful foundation application that actually convinces fundraisers and NGOs? Many checklists promise simple solutions, but often fall short. This is because every project is different, as are the requirements of the foundations. If you want to successfully apply for foundation funding in Switzerland, you should therefore rely less on rigid templates and instead apply some basic principles specifically to your own project. This also applies to digital application forms, which entail additional requirements.
Contents
Three principles for submitting applications
1. function of the foundation application
2. form of a foundation application
3. content: This is what you write in a letter to a foundation
Information and templates for applications from the foundations
The colorful world of online application forms
Conclusion
Writing an application for financial support – three principles for submitting an application
Instead of uncritically ploughing through the predetermined contents of a checklist, it is better to remember a few principles when communicating with funding organizations and to be clear about certain cornerstones of the project. What is the function of a foundation application? What formal requirements must be met when writing an application? What information should the application contain in order for the foundation to grant you financial support?
1. the function of the foundation application: sell your project well
The first and most important step in submitting a foundation application is to carefully identify the sponsors you want to approach and understand their actual needs. What is the activity carried out? Does this coincide with the formulated purpose of the foundation? Are there priorities? How much is distributed to a project? And when?
Tip: In the Spheriq foundation directory, you can search for suitable foundations and obtain the most important information and contact details at a glance. It is always advisable to call or send an e-mail before preparing and sending the foundation application. You will receive the necessary contact details there.
This process is about gathering knowledge, building trust, establishing contact and convincing people. A foundation application is a multi-stage process, starting with detailed research and ending with follow-up support after a successful contact. That can take time. And maybe it won’t work until the third time. So stay patient. “Storming” doesn’t help at all. Allow sufficient time. Financing a project through funding organizations can take up to six months from the initial inquiry to approval and distribution.
2nd form: To max. 12 pages is all you can write in a letter to a foundation to convince them
Some formalities are standard when writing an application to funding organizations. This includes the cover sheet and summary (many sponsors only read these first due to time constraints). Photos and illustrations are helpful, but need space. The letter to the foundation accompanying the documents should not exceed one A4 page and should be more than a transmittal slip. With him you create a personal contact. Always choose the route specified and communicated by the foundation for the foundation application. If an online form is offered, you should also use this.
Tip: Make a photo gallery in the appendix. This creates space and increases attention.
3. content of a foundation application: the most important things are the case and the budget
You must always be able to convey both in predefined forms. The case has two parts and also belongs, shortened to just 7-9 lines, in the cover letter:
a) A simple and concise description of a problem or challenge you are facing, its relevance/importance and the time urgency. This is where the need for action arises.
Tip: Show what would happen if nothing were done.
From the need for action you derive the goal that you want to achieve, the quantitative and qualitative change of a situation in a certain direction, and this in turn leads to the measures, the activities of your project, and the resources that are needed to achieve it.
Tip: Identify these aspects clearly in the application and do not confuse them. Don’t get too long and don’t repeat the arguments.
b) A convincing presentation of your organization’s competencies and credibility. Why is your organization in a position to implement this project and why should the foundation place its trust in you? This mostly has to do with the people who work for the organization.
Tip: Introduce them briefly! And it’s true: Well-known organizations have it easier.
Of course, sometimes you are lucky and contributions from funding organizations come “just like that”. And sometimes it only works out thanks to good personal relationships (or not despite them).
As a rule, however, cooperation with funding organizations requires continuous, systematic and careful work. As a foundation fundraiser, you have to be willing to take that on. But if it works, it can lead to wonderful relationships.
Information and templates for applications from the foundations themselves
Many funding organizations themselves provide instructions (some precise, some summary) on how an application should be structured and what it should contain. Sometimes you can also find application templates on the foundations’ websites that applicants should follow. Of course, you should have read a few foundation applications before you start formulating one yourself. However, do not stay too close to the sample text. The sponsors read foundation applications every week and immediately recognize who is copying or not using their own language and choice of words when writing the application.
Submitting a foundation application online: the colorful world of application forms
Many funding organizations accept applications by e-mail or at least carry out preliminary clarifications in this way. This is a welcome development. Because it helps everyone involved to save time and money. Just a few years ago, it was considered too casual and not very serious to send applications by e-mail.
Today, more and more funding organizations are going one step further by setting up an online application form on their website. This is also a development in the right direction. This structures the content of the foundation applications and simplifies the processes.
Every funding organization has its own ideas about the foundation application online
The world of application forms is still very colorful. Each funding organization has its own views on what a foundation application should look like. One is content with a 1,000-character summary of the project content in addition to the contact details, while the other requires detailed information in over 20 items or more. The thematic structure and layout of the forms, i.e. their form, are also extremely varied, reflecting industry-specific needs and requirements. A research foundation, for example, requires different information than a foundation that promotes culture. And finally, they must be filled in directly online on one occasion and on another occasion a PDF must be printed out, the form filled in by hand and sent in by post. And the instructions are not always clear to outsiders at first glance.
Disadvantage of online forms instead of writing applications: increased effort
As important and useful as such application forms and templates are: If charitable organizations have to fill out 30 or more such forms for one foundation application and have to prepare different information in varying depth and density, this does not reduce the workload, but increases it. And quite a few are also overwhelmed in terms of content. The cat bites its own tail. Some applicants wish they were back in the “old days”, when they could simply write the same application for all foundations and then post it dutifully.
Tip: Carefully define the project description as usual and put it down in writing (there are workshops for this). Then create text modules on the most important topics that the funding organizations like to ask about in the forms. Use these as required. So you don’t always have to start from scratch. With 500 characters per module, you will be fine.
Standards for the foundation application form on the website
Where will it go? Written foundation applications sent by post with thick project dossiers will be a thing of the past in a few years’ time. Nobody can or wants to afford to create and edit these anymore. On the other hand, the proliferation of online application forms will also decrease and industry-specific standards will prevail, if only for cost reasons.
Conclusion: Foundation applications in the 21st century
Whether online or offline: Even a foundation application that is perfect in every respect will only turn into an acceptance if you write to the right funding organizations. Build a network, make contacts and keep up to date with developments in the foundation landscape and the world of philanthropy.
With Spheriq, you can not only easily and efficiently research suitable funding organizations and addresses for your project, the comprehensive knowledge hub, the online magazine The Philanthropist and regular news from the non-profit world provide you with valuable information and insights. The adjacent donation platform also gives you the opportunity to attract the attention of private donors and companies and fund your project in this way.
