"Funding Books Earn Their Worth"

Before the arrival of the new reference book, “Nebraska Foundation Databook”, it was difficult to assist persons who were looking for foundation funding sources. Oftentimes the person had to be directed to the “Foundation Center” located at the Dale Clark Public Library in downtown Omaha. The “Databook” lists over 738 Nebraska foundations and includes comprehensive profiles of the 222 largest ones. Each profile includes: when established; contact person with address and phone number; purpose of the foundation; restrictions (whether the foundation takes unsolicited requests); grant request deadlines; a listing of the types of organizations to which it grants funds; and a listing of the major grantees, including the amounts given in the past year.

Knowing the available sources of grant funds is only the beginning of a grant-writer’s quest for money for a needy organization. The really hard part of the process lies ahead. Some funds-granting foundations will actually furnish an applicant with a form to fill out to request the funds. Other foundations will expect a well-developed narrative which describes the mission of the supplicant, the project to be undertaken, and the amount of money needed. Usually, a funds-granting foundation will only supply start-up money for a project and will expect the applicant to explain how the project is to be continued once the initial grant funds have been expended. A grant writer must be well informed about his organization’s mission, its ancillary funding sources, and how well the local goals and services match with the mission and goals of the prospective funding foundation. A telephone call or a personal visit with the executive officer of the foundation will often help the grant writer determine how to approach the funding source.

To further assist local organizations in their quest for outside money, the Library has recently purchased several books from the “Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy”. The book, “Developing Your Case for Support” can be used by a grant writer or a fund-raiser to more clearly define his/her organizational needs so that they match the benevolent desires of individuals and funding foundations.

Other books purchased by the Library from the “Fund Raising School” including “Preparing Your Capital Campaign”, “Planning Special Events”, and “Building Your Endowment”. In their individual ways, each book will help local organizations solicit funds in various ways to further their organization’s objectives.

Recent donations received by the Columbus Library Foundation include those donated by the Friends of Thomas Lyons. Also, Senior Citizen Friends donated memorial funds in memory of Daisy Wunder, the mother of Mavis Applegate.