Charitable giving and grant application are processes that deserve deliberate, informed action.

While the Wichita Community Foundation does everything we can to uncomplicate philanthropic giving and receiving, we still encourage the nonprofits we work with to take advantage of many community resources to better understand the processes involved in charitable giving.

The person who understands the who, what, where, and why of each funding stream is more likely to hone their request to fit a donor’s specific interest. And that greatly increases their chance of success.

Take advantage of these local tools to benefit your organization

The Foundation Center at the Wichita Public Library
Wichita is fortunate to have this free resource readily available for research at its downtown Library location, 223 S. Main. This online database collapses volumes of information on who gives grants and who gets them. In addition, the Library has a Foundation Center specialist who can help you learn how to use this database. And print materials are readily available - all at no cost. Any organization that is serious about finding funding sources should start here.

Guidestar
One of the outstanding online resources for grant research is as close as your personal computer. At www.guidestar.org you can easily access comprehensive information on foundation and corporate charitable giving. Basic registration is free and provides a gateway to viewing tax returns and other financial documents.

Finding a professional grant writer
If you believe your organization could benefit from hiring a professional grant writer, contact the Kansas Professional Grant writers Association or KPGA at www.kpga.us.  They’ll help you decide if a professional is what you need, and if so, they’ll help you find one that’s right for your nonprofit.