How a 19k Grant Leads to Over 250k in Funding by Peter Brach
The SDG Philanthropy Platform (SDGPP), a global and national facilitator advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), had all its funding needs met by 2017, except one: There was no grant writing budget. They were getting numerous requests for proposals that they couldn’t respond to. On my recommendation, the foundation I worked for provided just under $20,000 to hire a temporary grant writer.
As I reflect, this was a risky grant. Despite the risks, SDGPP’s high visibility and respect within the global philanthropy community convinced me that the chances of successful outcomes were significantly higher than usual. Furthermore, the funding amount requested was relatively modest compared to other grants.
This small investment paid off when these grants were approved, and SDGP) attracted over $250,000.
The influx of funding resulted in meaningful projects. One grant empowered residents in 72 Indian villages to reclaim lands they were legally entitled to, alongside initiatives promoting women entrepreneurs, investments in girls, and water harvesting. Another grant facilitated research to halt violence against children in Tanzania and South Africa. A third grant fostered collaboration in the MENA region, identifying 172 foundations and banks as potential development partners.