It takes time and effort to find grantmakers that are truly good prospects, but the results can be worth the research efforts you expend. Keep your expectations realistic. Foundations and other grantmakers will not likely meet even a majority of your financial needs. Individual donations still account for the great majority of the funds given to nonprofit organizations. Currently, foundations and corporations combined only provide about 17 percent of philanthropic gifts, and only a portion of this is given for Christian projects. However, these funds can make all the difference for your project!
Do not focus all your efforts on one or two "perfect" funders. Many grantseeking churches and ministries have important missions, so you must seek a reasonably broad base. Develop a list with several viable options. Even experienced proposal writers often receive multiple letters of rejection for each successful grant. On the other hand, avoid compiling a lengthy list of "long-shot" prospects; mass mailing is a waste of everyone's time. Grantseeking should be viewed as a highly individualized process to be conducted in a businesslike manner.