Getting Organized

I am a big fan of being organized. I find a place for everything and in an effort to encourage my family to play along, I usually get out the label maker (or digital camera to record image labels for my small children). A few weeks ago, in another effort to organize everything, my husband and I took a day trip to organizer's paradise--Ikea.


We spent the day driving to and from Bolingbrook, Illinois and about five hours perusing the store. Aahhh. I came home satisfied and after a week of rearranging, sorting and several trips to Goodwill, we are once again organized. Here is one of our favorite purchases--did I mention I have three children (that is like 12 pairs of shoes!). This hangs on the wall (with a very thin profile) and opens to "file" shoes! Those Swedish designers are brilliant.

Same is true for some foundations: every once in a while, they need to get organized. Sometimes it is spurred by staff turnover, board turnover, policy changes or even a significant increase in proposals--but whatever the reason, it can sure throw you for a loop.

A handful of local foundations have recently reorganized their guidelines, two specifically spurred by staff turnover. Both have released new giving guidelines and requirements. Both released tighter guidelines and a narrowed scope of interest in programs and services. This is good news if you fit in that scope--but bad news if this is a previously rather reliable funder for whom you may no longer be a fit.

I can think of one local foundation that, back in the day, was a sure thing for any program that remotely came close to their interest (which was incredibly broad). Over the years, the general nonprofit community became more and more aware of the "open door" attitude of this foundation and proposals would flood their doors.

Soon, they began to tighten the reigns and narrow their focus. Today, the focus is so narrow, it appears to be hand-picked specifically for particular funding partners and nonprofits. No problem for those folks that never counted on the money, but a dramatic shift for nonprofits who used to receive support from that foundation.

Another funding source recently reorganized and made a significant shift in their administrative structure. Seeking the support of a local expert on nonprofits and the request for proposal (RFP) process, this funding source turned the reigns over to United Way. So far, so good. The United Way is promising an incredibly quick turnaround time (something this source was not previously known for) as well as multiple RFPs in a single year.

As an organizing fanatic, I think this kind of change is good--sometimes painful, but good. Labels on boxes, or tight guidelines from foundations, help to ensure time is not wasted searching for something that is not in there. This is a perfect example of why it is important to stay in touch with foundations who have supported you or might be potential matches. Changes and reorganization can quickly change a foundation's interests, policies, application procedures, award amounts, due dates and more.

Keep communication flowing and check in on foundations regularly to see if there have been any recent changes or reorganization. Reorganization is not necessarily a bad thing, but could have some unintended consequences for organizations a foundation previously supported. Let's just hope the organizing shakes out in your favor!