Thinking about applying for a grant? Let’s chat first!
We always recommend reaching out to request a meeting with a member of our team. This will help us to provide guidance about whether your organization is a good fit for funding from us and, if so, will allow us to help you best position your request for support. We welcome conversations with both returning grantees and those who are new to BBF. Our goal is to build relationships that support a strong nonprofit ecosystem.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare to meet:
Meeting Length & Location
These meetings typically last about thirty minutes to an hour. We’re happy to meet via phone, virtually, or in person - either at our office, your location, or a mutually convenient spot like a local coffee shop or library. If you're not sure what works best, just let us know and we'll help figure it out. Our calendars typically fill up very fast in the weeks before our deadlines, so we encourage you to schedule as early as possible.
Share Your Organization’s Needs
When we meet, we encourage you to be prepared to share your organization’s current challenges, successes, and the specific opportunities or obstacles you’re facing.
Prepare 2-3 Funding Priorities
Coming prepared with 2–3 potential funding priorities can help guide the conversation and allow us to provide feedback on which opportunities might be the best fit for our board of directors to consider. Not sure where to start? That's okay. We know that some funding needs are still evolving, so during our conversation we can help you understand how your needs align with our priorities or provide early feedback to shape your idea into a strong proposal.
We recommend taking a little time before our meeting to put a few thoughts on paper. You don’t need a polished proposal—just a few notes on your organization’s current needs and potential funding ideas. Jotting this down ahead of time can help focus our conversation and make the most of our time together.
Share Your Funding Range
When we meet, let us know the funding range you’re hoping to apply for—whether it’s a smaller program grant or a larger capital request—so we can better understand your needs and provide guidance. Don't worry if your funding range is an estimate - this just helps us understand the scope of your request and how it might align with our resources.
Tapping Into Other Funders
You can expect us to ask about other funders that are already supporting your efforts or where you might be seeking additional funding. This gives us a clearer picture of your overall funding strategy.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that while these conversations are helpful, meeting with BBF staff doesn’t guarantee funding. Although meeting with us is not a guarantee of funding, we view these conversations as a valuable opportunity to learn about your work and explore how we might connect you with additional resources.
To request a time to chat with BBF staff, please contact Susan Brumley.