| Introduction Not for profit organizations must strive to obtain
and sustain an optimal funding mix of public and private support to secure
their future. However, in this decade we are experiencing escalating human
service needs and costs, while the availability of government funds is
sharply curtailed. As a result, more organizations than ever are appealing
to the same foundations and corporations for private support.
Several funders across the country have acknowledged that they receive
grant request from multiple CASA programs. This is reasonable when the
prospective funders' guidelines are appropriate for CASA program support,
and the funder does not restrict giving to a specific geographic area. Even
so, the best approach to a prospective funder should be made in coordination
and cooperation with other CASA programs. That way, the funder will not feel
overwhelmed and disinclined because of numerous requests from CASA programs
in a single grantmaking period. Additionally, through a coordinated
approach, it is far less likely that one program's request could jeopardize
the outcome of a pending request from another program.
1. Research
NCASAA routinely send inquiries to funders throughout the country,
requesting information such as annual reports, giving guidelines, funding
priorities and eligibility of national organizations to receive funding.
When NCASAA learns of a prospective funder whose priorities are
appropriate for CASA program support, yet restricts giving to a specific
geographical area, NCASAA should provide lead to the member CASA program in
that area.
Likewise, when State or local programs discover a funder which is not
appropriate for its own program support, but may e appropriate for national
projects , the program should provide that lead to NCASAA.
When a prospective funder is identified which provides funding for
national projects as well as specific community support, through the same
office or funding mechanism,* NCASAA will proceed with
respect and consideration for the member CASA program located in the State
or community of the funder, whichever, is more appropriate as described
below.
B. Submission of Funding Requests
- Before submitting a request for funding, NCASAA will notify the
appropriate CASA program located in the State or community of the funder.
If the CASA program has a request pending, or is preparing a request for
submission, and it is agreed that a request from NCASAA may affect the
outcome of the CASA program's request, NCASAA may defer any action until
the prospective funder acts upon the CASA program request. NCASAA and
the CASA program should then come to an agreement on the best timing of
NCASAA's request. Certain circumstances may warrant notification after
an initial proposal.
- A funder which provides ongoing support for a CASA program may also
consider national projects. The State or local programs and NCASAA
offices should discuss this, and may even inquire of the prospective
funder if one tier of CASA program support excludes the other (if this
is not evident in the written guidelines). If it is appropriate to the
project, NCASAA/State/local program may take the opportunity to team in
their meetings with a prospective funder, or collaborate on the grant
proposal.
- State and local CASA programs should notify NCASAA before
approaching a national funder, most especially when NCASAA has an
established relationship with that funder. NCASAA may have a request
pending or ready to submit to the funder. NCASAA may also be able to
provide information on the prospective funder or on previous approaches
by CASA programs.
- The fact that a prospective funder is located within a State or
local CASA program's community is not, in itself, reasonable grounds for
NCASAA to defer solicitation. Programs should coordinate their
solicitations as described in #1 above.
- NCASAA/State/local programs should make every effort to follow this
protocol when there is potential conflict with the development efforts
of another program.
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*Written guidelines provided by a prospective funder
generally define the tiers of support which the funder will provide, i.e.,
support for projects with a restricted geographic area, regional projects or
national projects.
When the guidelines clearly restrict support to just one tier (local,
regional, national), there is little potential for conflict between National
and CASA program requests.
The guidelines may also describe separate mechanisms to support giving at
two tiers. That is, a National corporation may, through its regional office,
provide support for nonprofit agencies within that geographic region. At the
same time, the national corporation, through its headquarters office or a
corporate foundation, may provide support for national projects. When
grantmaking is provided for multiple tiers, through separate mechanisms
(i.e., regional office and a national office), again there is little
likelihood for conflict. Top
Reviewed by CASA State Directors and
Approved by NCASAA Board of Directors, 11/17/91
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