Push Ideas That Work: Advice for Grant Seekers

Foundations will probably accelerate spending in 2014, given the 7.5 percent increase in total assets last year, says Brian Wodar, national director of Bernstein Nonprofit Advisory Services. As grant seekers compete for a share of that money, they will want to demonstrate that they are:

Foundations are increasingly interested in “collective impact” work—getting government agencies, businesses, and a diverse group of nonprofits to work toward a shared vision for solving a complex social problem. A well-known example of this is the Strive Partnership, in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky, which focuses on college completion.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore is undertaking a pilot grant-making program that aims to consolidate social services for poor families. The fund believes that instead of being referred to separate health and education centers, parents and children should be able to obtain services at one place.

Foundations continue to encourage financially struggling charities to consider mergers or other partnerships with stronger organizations. Three foundations in Los Angeles sponsored a restructuring workshop that drew the interest of more than 300 charities. It led to a handful of mergers and back-office partnerships.

Foundations have long been interested in helping high-performing nonprofits expand their programs to new locations. Now they’re exploring cheaper ways to do that. One example is the large networking effect that groups like the YMCA can have in promoting exercise and other activities to prevent chronic health problems. Other efforts include supporting groups that can deliver programs online.