Funders for our youth literacy program

Dana Ruiz to Ask Grantt9:02 AM

Find funders for our youth literacy program in Ohio.

Ask Grantt to Dana9:03 AM

6 funders worth your time, ranked by fit. And 2 you can skip (here's why).

01Regional community foundation, education fundPursueFunds early reading in your county. Cycle open.
02Statewide early-literacy funderPursueBacks after-school literacy statewide.
03Family foundation, youth programsMaybeGood fit, small grants. Relationship first.
—National funder, invite-onlySkipInvite-only. No open door this year.

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You to Ask Grantt10:40 AM

Compare these 10 foundations for our after-school STEM program.

Ask Grantt to you10:41 AM

Side by side below: focus areas, typical grant size, past grantees, how to apply. Three are worth a call this month.

Funder	Focus areas	Typical grant	Past grantees	How to apply
★ Northcoast STEM Fund	After-school STEM, girls in STEM	$15k–$40k	Three Ohio youth programs	Open LOI, rolling
★ Riverbend Community Foundation	Youth, education	$5k–$20k	Local after-school programs	Online form, March 1
★ Hartwell Family Foundation	Science education	$25k–$75k	Museums, school districts	Email the program officer
Lakeview Corporate Giving	Workforce, STEM	$2k–$10k	Mostly employee-nominated	Rolling
Meridian National Fund	Education equity	$100k+	National networks	Invite-only

+ 5 more in the reply

Starred: worth a call

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Ask Grantt to you9:03 AM

From the program officer’s email, Oct 2:

“Please send board letters by November 12 so we can include them in the packet.”

Re: site visit next week

Every date, with its source

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You to Ask Grantt4:09 PM

Shorter. And lead with outcomes.

Ask Grantt to you4:10 PM

Done. Now 412 words, under their 500 limit. Outcomes moved to the first paragraph.

LOI_early-literacy.docx412 / 500

MOVED UPLast year, 212 second graders in our program gained a full reading level by spring.

~~Founded in 2009, our organization has a long history of serving families across the region.~~

Our after-school tutors work one-on-one with readers who are behind, three afternoons a week, in partnership with four elementary schools.

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You to Ask Grantt2:14 PM

Should we apply to the Lakeshore Education Fund this cycle?

Ask Grantt to you2:15 PM

Skip

Short answer: skip this cycle. Here's why, and where to go instead.

Fit: They fund education, mostly capital projects, in two counties you don't serve.
Typical grant: [from their public giving info]
Red flag: This cycle closed last month. Next one opens [month].
Better bet: Two funders with open cycles that back literacy work in your region. Details below.

[CONFIRM: "Sources at the bottom. Check our work." only if real replies list sources. Otherwise "Ask where any fact came from."]

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