Ask Jacquee: Do you help with prospect research? [Video]

A common question in conversations with nonprofit leaders is, "Do you help organizations find funding sources, or do they need to know what they want to apply for?" The answer is simple: We help nonprofits find funding sources, and no, you don’t need to come up with a list in advance.

What is Prospect Research?

In the field of fundraising, we call the process of searching for viable funders prospect research. At Bloom Grant Consulting, our prospect research involves researching funders’ interests, funding ranges, deadlines, and contact information, as well as ranking prospects to prioritize those with the strongest alignment. 

How We Build Your Prospect List

Over two months, we research, organize, and qualify dozens of potential funders.

Our research process begins with your organization's existing resources. We review your grant history and previous applications to understand what has worked in the past. We also explore your network connections, asking about volunteer relationships, corporate partnerships, and board member affiliations that might open doors to new funding opportunities.

After mining your internal resources and relationships, we leverage subscription-based research tools to uncover funders that may not be on your radar yet. This comprehensive approach ensures we're casting the widest net possible while maintaining focus on realistic prospects.

Once our research is complete, we provide a comprehensive matrix packed with information to help you approach funders, including:

• Contact information

• First approach recommendations

• Funding ranges

• Anticipated deadlines

• Funding patterns and interests

• Detailed and customized notes to help you make the right move

Who Benefits Most from Prospect Research?

Prospect research is ideal for organizations approaching grants for the first time, restarting grants after a period of prolonged inactivity, or seeking to expand their grant efforts without committing to a large time or financial investment.

Ready to discover new funding opportunities for your nonprofit? Contact us today to begin expanding your funding landscape.

How Nonprofits Can Approach Banks for Community Impact Funding: CSR and CRA

If you're a nonprofit leader, you've likely noticed that banks can be surprisingly generous partners—but you might not know where to start. Between corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, community giving programs, and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), banks have multiple avenues for supporting nonprofits. Understanding these can open doors to funding, partnerships, and meaningful impact. In this blog, you'll learn about various grant funding options available from banks, along with a step-by-step guide on how to approach a bank for financial support.

Understand the Role of CSR in Banking

Banks, like other corporations, have CSR priorities that guide their giving. This can include:

• Supporting financial literacy and education

• Funding community development programs

• Promoting economic equity

• Investing in workforce development or affordable housing

Your first step is to research a bank's CSR focus areas. Many banks publish annual CSR reports or highlight community initiatives on their websites. Matching your mission to their stated priorities increases your chances of receiving funding.

Know the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)

The CRA is a federal law that encourages banks to meet the needs of the communities where they operate, especially in underserved neighborhoods. While the CRA doesn't require grants to nonprofits, it incentivizes banks to invest in programs that:

• Promote affordable housing

• Support small businesses or entrepreneurship

• Improve community development and infrastructure

• Enhance access to financial services

Banks often fund nonprofits whose programs help them meet CRA obligations. In other words, if your work aligns with CRA-eligible activities, you may be a strong candidate for funding.

How to Approach a Bank for Community Impact Funding

1. Identify the Right Bank Contacts

Start by figuring out who manages community giving or CSR programs. This could be:

• Community development officers

• Corporate philanthropy managers

• CRA officers

These individuals are often eager to hear from nonprofits that can demonstrate measurable impact in the areas they're required, or motivated, to support.

2. Craft a Clear and Impactful Proposal

When approaching a bank:

• Clearly articulate how your work benefits the local community.

• Highlight measurable outcomes and the population served.

• Show alignment with the bank's CSR goals or CRA requirements.

• Keep your ask specific and actionable (e.g., funding a financial literacy workshop series or supporting a housing project).

Remember, banks are balancing regulatory requirements with corporate mission—they want to fund initiatives that create real community impact.

3. Leverage Existing Relationships

If someone on your board, staff, or volunteer network works at a bank, ask for an introduction. Personal connections often open doors faster than cold outreach. Even a small connection can lead to a conversation about funding opportunities.

4. Maintain the Relationship

Funding from banks isn't a one-time transaction. Keep your partners engaged by:

• Sending updates on outcomes and impact.

• Inviting bank representatives to events or volunteer opportunities.

• Recognizing their support publicly when appropriate.

• Following up for feedback or additional opportunities.

A strong, ongoing relationship can lead to multi-year support or new program funding aligned with CRA initiatives.

Banks are unique funders because of the combination of CSR priorities and CRA obligations. By understanding these mechanisms, clearly aligning your work with their goals, and building thoughtful relationships, your nonprofit can access funding that supports sustainable, community-driven impact.

With the right approach, you can confidently engage banks and secure funding that strengthens your programs and deepens your community impact. At Bloom Grant Consulting, I guide nonprofits through the sometimes confusing landscape of corporate and financial institution giving. Contact us to explore community impact funding opportunities for your nonprofit!

How to Navigate Corporate Websites to Find Grant Opportunities

I know firsthand that it can feel like corporate giving is hidden behind a maze of webpages, PDFs, and “Contact Us” buttons. But the truth is, most companies want to be found by mission-driven organizations; they just have different ways of sharing their opportunities. Knowing where to look and what to look for can save you hours and get you in front of the right decision-makers. Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate corporate websites like a pro to identify corporate grant opportunities.

1. Start With Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Community Giving Pages

Many companies dedicate a section of their website to corporate social responsibility (CSR), community giving, or philanthropy. Look for:

• “About Us” → “Community” or “Social Responsibility”

• “Philanthropy,” “Giving,” or “Impact” sections

• Press releases highlighting past grants or community partnerships

These pages often include information on focus areas, application processes, and eligibility.

2. Look for Grants, Sponsorships, or Volunteer Programs

Corporations may label their support in different ways:

• Grants: Direct funding for programs or initiatives

• Sponsorships: Support for events, campaigns, or conferences

• Employee-led initiatives: Programs tied to matching gifts, volunteer grants, or workplace giving

Even if the word “grant” isn’t used, the funding might exist—just framed differently.

3. Check Annual Reports and CSR Reports

Annual and CSR reports are gold mines for information. They usually include:

• Organizations funded in the past year

• Funding priorities or community focus areas

• Metrics or stories about the impact of corporate giving

These reports can help you understand if your mission aligns with the company’s goals.

4. Identify Key Contacts

Many corporations provide points of contact for grant inquiries. If you can’t find a direct email or application portal, try:

• Looking for a “Community Relations,” “Philanthropy,” or “CSR” contact

• Using LinkedIn to find corporate giving or community engagement managers

• Reaching out via general contact forms with a clear, concise message about your program and funding request

5. Track Corporate Grant Opportunities and Deadlines

Corporations may post deadlines and application instructions inconsistently. Keep a simple spreadsheet with:

• Company name

• Contact info

• Focus areas

• Application deadlines

• Notes on previous giving

Tracking opportunities will keep your process organized and ensure you never miss an opportunity.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

If something isn’t clear on the website, reach out! Companies often appreciate nonprofits that are proactive, clear, and professional in their inquiries. A simple email asking for clarification about eligibility or focus areas can save time and position you as a serious partner.

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Corporate websites may seem confusing at first, but most companies want to be found by nonprofits that align with their mission. With the right strategy, navigating corporate websites becomes less of a chore and more of a launchpad for sustainable partnerships.

At Bloom Grant Consulting, I help nonprofits demystify the corporate giving landscape, turning clicks into connections and web pages into real funding opportunities. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you build your nonprofit's corporate grant portfolio.