Foundation Research Assingment
Julie VW
SMU
Fund Development AA 626
October 6, 2003
Grant Writing Research Project
Project Summary
Barry Kleider, a professional photographer, arts educator, and Young Audience roster artist, developed a residency program titled Picturing Community. In this program, Kleider uses the art of photography to engage students in mathematics, writing, and social studies.
To fully support the schools participating in this residency, Young Audiences of Minnesota (YAMN) will submit a grant proposal requesting funds to purchase a classroom set of digital cameras and accessories. The estimated cost of this equipment is $10,000. Based on funders priorities and interests, past giving histories, and other guidelines, three likely funders for this project include; The Best Buy Children’s Foundation, The Cargill Foundation, and The Citigroup Foundation.
Best Buy Children’s Foundation
Funders Priorities and Interests
The Best Buy Children’s Foundation exists to provide resources that enhance education through technology. According to The Guide to Minnesota Grantmakers, this foundation emphasizes “programs that focus on the development and distribution of high tech, innovative, interactive technology based on curriculum for K-12 students.” YAMN shares Best Buy Foundation’s goals of enhancing curriculum and increasing student achievement. The use of digital photography will link the foundations emphasis on technology with YAMN’s focus on the arts.
Past Giving History
The foundation’s 990PF for financial year 2003 lists many organizations similar to YAMN including COMPAS, The MacPhail Center for the Arts, and Free Arts Minnesota. Grants ranged from $1,750 – 25,000 with 300 different organizations receiving funds last year.
Other Guidelines
The Best Buy Children’s Foundation awards grants to organizations serving the seven county metro area. Although YAMN serves schools throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, a high percentage of programs take place in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs.
The foundation will not provide in-kind contributions or gifts to an organization. A successful grant proposal will yield funds to purchase cameras and accessories, not a donation of the actual equipment.
Citigroup Foundation
Funders Priorities and Interests
The National Directory of Corporate Giving states that Citigroup’s funding priorities include economic development, education, the arts, and health and human services. The Directory also mentions that “the foundation seeks to strengthen the quality of teaching, improve student achievement, increase access to higher education, and encourage creativity through arts programming.
The foundation’s website lists several programs including Educating the Next Generation which specifically mentions “programs that enhance learning by integrating arts into the curriculum.” Barry Kleider’s residency clearly aligns with Citigroup’s funding interests.
Past Giving History
Citigroup Foundation’s 2002 Annual Report lists Young Audiences Chapters in New York City, Atlanta, western New York state, Dallas, and Maryland as grant recipients. The 990PF indicates that the Young Audiences chapters received $3,000 – 25,000.
Other Guidelines
The Citigroup Foundation prefers to solicit proposals from organizations with “demonstrated success.” While an unsolicited proposal will be accepted, the foundation’s website, and the National Directory of Corporate Giving indicate that relatively few unsolicited proposals are successful.
Although YAMN has not specifically been invited to submit a grant, Citigroup is still a likely funder. YAMN distinguishes itself among Young Audiences chapters through the receipt of the National Young Audiences Chapter Achievement Award, and a history of recognized pilot programs. The success of Atlanta, New York, Dallas, and Maryland is likely to open a door for Minnesota. Contacting these chapters regarding their experience and initial contact with Citigroup would be a logical step to take before submitting a proposal to Citigroup.
Cargill Foundation
Funders Priorities and Interests
In 1999, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities issued a study titled Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning. This report highlights research indicating that at risk students benefit more than any other group when exposed to arts enhanced learning. YAMN’s programs promote the intellectual, social, and emotional development of disadvantaged children.
The Cargill Foundation wants to invest in “organizations and programs that demonstrate leadership and effectiveness in educating socio-economically disadvantaged children.” Barry Kleider’s residency models the type of arts infused learning that directly benefits at risk children, and clearly falls within Cargill’s funding interesting and priorities.
Past Giving History
The 990PF filed in 2002 by the foundation does not list any arts-in-education organizations. However, Sojunerner Truth Academy, a school served by YAMN, received funds from Cargill, as did local arts organizations. The Guide to Minnesota Grant Makers indicates that Cargill awarded 66 grants last year ranging from $4,000-525,000.
Other Guidelines
Simultaneously engaging students in photography, mathematics, writing, and social studies is a new and innovative idea for most teachers and schools. Barry Kleider’s residency demonstrates the imaginative out-of-the-box thinking described in Cargill’s “Innovation Grant” category. Additionally, YAMN can demonstrate the nine points of effective leadership as outlined in the funders guidelines.
Conclusion
After researching interests, giving history, and grant guidelines from many funders, Best Buy Children’s Foundation, Citigroup Foundation, and Cargill Foundation are three of the most likely funders for Barry Kleider’s residency program.
LETTER OF INQUIRY (loq) TO BEST BUY FOUNDATION
October, 6, 2003
Charles V. Raymond III
Best Buy Children’s Foundation
Best Buy World Headquarters
PO Box 9312
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Mr. Raymond
This is a letter of inquiry regarding the Best Buy Children’s Foundation grant proposals.
The Young Audiences of Minnesota Residency program allows students and teachers to work with a professional artist connecting the creative process with themes and disciplines already familiar to the students. We recently invited Barry Kleider to join our roster of teaching artists. Barry designed a residency program titled Picturing Community. In this program, Barry uses photography to engage students in mathematics, writing, and social studies.
Providing cameras to students makes the residency cost prohibitive for most schools. To support the program, Young Audiences of Minnesota will purchase a set of cameras, allowing schools and teachers to participate in the program without buying 30 cameras. The total cost of this program is estimated at $10,000.
We have reviewed the guidelines of the Best Buy Children’s Foundation and believe the purchase of cameras meets the criteria for grant proposals. Young Audiences of Minnesota serves students in the seven county metro area, and through the use of digital photography, Barry will integrate technology into the school curriculum. Best Buy Foundation for Children and Young Audiences of Minnesota share the focus of engaging students into curriculum and “making learning fun!”
If you agree that this project merits further consideration, we would like to submit a detailed proposal. We look forward to hearing from you.
On behalf of our staff, the board, and the more than 150,000 children we will serve this year, I’d like to thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Executive Director
References
Best Buy Children’s Foundation Webite. Retrieved October 3,
2003 from Here
Cargill Foundation Website. Retrieved September 30, 2003 from Here
Citigroup Foundation Website. Retrieved September 30, 2003 from Here
Clark, David L. (ed.). National Directory of Corporate Giving.
(2003). New York: The Foundation Center.
Minnesota Council on Foundations. Guide to Minnesota
Grantmakers. (2003). Minneapolis: MCF.
Mudd, Mollie (ed.).
Grants for At-Risk Youth (2001).
Gaithersburg: Aspen Publishers Inc.
The Foundation Center. Retrieved September 30, 2003 from here
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