How can I find and approach funding agencies for environmental protection programs?

Question

I am very much interested in environmental protection activities by involving my students in the activities like developing greenery, campaigning against usage of plastics and CFCs. If some one can help me in this regard I will be very greatflu

Answer 1

Your fundraising can be done two ways, setting up your own charity, 501c3 designation given by IRS; or, you can connect with organizations that already do environmental protection work and fundraise for them.  Getting funding is different depending on which way you chose to go.

I recommend connecting with existing organizations since they have the expertise and experience.  To learn more about existing organizations you can visit several sites that are good, www.guidestar.com; www.charitynavigator.org; or www.irs.gov.  

If you go with an existing organization you need to talk to them about how to raise money for them.  They approach potential funders and they don't want others going to the same funders, particularly if you are not with their organization. For all kinds of other legal reasons, you really can't raise funds on their behalf without them.  Any contributions you raised would not be tax deductible to the donors if you are not a registered charity (and foundations and corporations typically only give to 501c3's); you don't want to put yourself in the position of people wondering how much you raised versus how much you actually gave to the charity; and, a charity is a corporation and has legal standing when it comes to using their name, etc.

Environmental organizations are very open to collaborating with partners like you and your students.  They can teach you what they do, how they do it, their impact, and even how to raise money.  Again, after 20 years volunteering and many years as the director of a nonprofit that teaches other nonprofits how to raise money, my recommendation is that you do your research on what organizations are out there doing EP work and connect with them; who knows, you and your students may start something big for them in your community.

If you choose to start your own nonprofit, I suggest you do some more research before you do so.  There are thousands of nonprofits existing and the competition for funding is tremendous.  If you are in an urban community, this is especially true.  If you are in a rural community, there are not many local funders and it can be even more challenging to raise money.  

To start a nonprofit charity, you must first complete the application from the IRS application and pay the filing fee, up to $750.  I suggest you get an attorney or cpa to volunteer to help you do this.  Once you file the application it can take anywhere from one to six months or longer depending on many factors.  There are other things you have to do like register in your state, incorporate, check with city, county and state regulators for more information.

Finally, once you get your charitible status from IRS, a 501s3 organization, you need to connect with The Foundation Center and one of their over 340 nonprofit libraries they operate around the country...some are within public libraries, some are free-standing, depending on which city you are in.  The Foundation Center is the expert research organization on fundraising from corporations and foundations.  They have done all the research and developed a free database of funders and what areas they give to, along with other indexes.  To find a library near you, visit their website www.foundationcenter.org and go to Locations.  If you are not in a city where their 5 central libraries are, click on Cooperating Collections and you can find libraries in every state.   While you are at their website, visit their faq's.  You will find a list of things to do to start a nonprofit and lots more!

Federal government agency funding now goes through a site called www.firstgov.gov .  This type of funding is much more challenging and time consuming, and may not be cost effective for you to do when you are just starting an organization.  

A perspective that may be helpful.......85% of all charitable funding comes from individuals, not foundations and corporations...combined, they account for the remaining 15% or so.  That means your primary "base" of funding will be individuals who contribute to your organization.  I've already mentioned how challenging getting government funding can be.

What you are talking about doing is so admirable.  Engaging young people in this cause early in their lives will do nothing but help our environment many-fold in the future.

My best wishes in your endeavor.  Hope this helps.  Teresa

Answer 2

Write them a letter, call them or go in person.  Look at www.guidestar.org

Good luck