Reaching a foundation that does not take applications
How do I approach a foundation that does not accept unsolicited proposals?
Through people and visibility. These foundations choose grantees themselves, usually from organizations their trustees and staff already know or have looked up. Find out whether anyone on your board knows them, make sure your public filings and website describe your work clearly, and ask for a conversation through that connection. Spend most of your effort on the foundations that do take applications.
Last reviewed October 2, 2026.
Getting on their radar
Look for a door you already have
Check your board against the foundation's officers and trustees, and look at which organizations like yours it already funds. Here is how to use your board.
Make yourself easy to find
Foundations that pick their own grantees read 990s and websites. Keep your filing accurate and your website plain about what you do, where, and for whom.
Ask for a conversation
Through the connection, ask for twenty minutes to learn about the foundation's priorities. Keep the proposal for when they ask for one.
Keep working the open doors
Quillify flags the 19,000+ foundations whose own filings say they accept applications, so most of your time goes where a proposal will be read.
Who asks this most
The answer above is the same whoever you are. What Quillify does about it is not.
Related
- Most foundations will never read your proposalDo foundations accept unsolicited grant proposals?
- Start from the funder, not the opportunityHow do I find funders who would actually fund my organization?
- How your board can help you win grantsHow can our board help us win grants?
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