Burning Foundation

Which state are you working in?

Oregon

What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

Current or former grantee

If you were funded, tell us the outcome

Funded for lesser amount

What year was this experience?

2024

How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

Bad

Twice this funder decided not to fund our organization even though our work is rightly aligned with their goals. They also used a third party person who was the intermediary (paid quite well I might add). That was not really helpful.

How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?

Bad

This foundation want's to preserve the natural world, but unless your website literally includes every program and project you do, elucidating what you are asking the foundation for, they do not like it. Further, they take a dim view of Executive Directors having long-standing relationships with funders. That was one of the oddest things I've ever heard. Fundraising is literally about relationships, and building trust over time. That is what happens when you have a small foundation board that doesn't get our much, yet thinks they know what it is like to run a 501c3 non profit.

If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

Do a better job of communicating. Getting zero response after being funded before is just bad business.

Is there anything else that'd be useful for others to know to understand this funder?

Major donors are likely a better use of your time.

Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

They do not respond to communication, even as grantees.

How many hours did the grant application process take?

6