How to Find Grants for Alumni Groups Nonprofits: A Practical Guide

Quick Stats

Over 70% of alumni groups report difficulty in finding grants that align with their mission.

Approximately 30% of funding for nonprofit organizations, including alumni groups, comes from foundations and grants.

Alumni groups that actively engage in grant writing see an increase in funding by 50%.

Grants specifically for education and alumni engagement amount to over $1 billion annually.

Grant Types

1. Educational Grants: These grants support programs that enhance educational engagement and alumni relations.
2. Community Development Grants: Focused on projects that strengthen communities, these grants can relate alumni involvement with local initiatives.
3. Capacity Building Grants: Designed to help nonprofits increase their effectiveness, these grants often provide one-time funding for specific new initiatives.
4. Alumni Relations Grants: These grants specifically target projects that enhance connections between alumni and their institutions.

Finding Grants

1. Step 1: Define Your Needs - Clearly outline what your alumni group wants to achieve with grant funding.
2. Step 2: Research Potential Grants - Use a variety of sources to find relevant grants. A great starting point is Zeffy's AI Grant Research Tool:
• Free to use.
• Unlimited searches at your disposal, perfect for exploring all avenues.
• AI-powered matching ensures you find grants aligned with your mission without endless scouring.
• Unlike many paid alternatives limited by a tiered search system, you have full access to the entire database.
3. Step 3: Network with Other Alumni Groups - Don’t hesitate to reach out! Many successful alumni groups are willing to share their experiences and sources.
4. Step 4: Join Online Communities - Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook often have groups dedicated to nonprofits and alumni associations where grant opportunities are frequently shared.
5. Step 5: Connect with Local Foundations - Research local community foundations and trusts that often provide grants to support alumni initiatives.

Expert Tips

1. Tailor Your Grant Proposals - Customize proposals to highlight specific benefits to the funder's goals.
2. Build Strong Relationships - Maintain ongoing communication with grantors; they are more likely to fund groups they know.
3. Leverage Alumni Success Stories - Use testimonials and case studies from successful alumni to strengthen your proposal.
4. Create a Compelling Narrative - Make sure your grant proposal tells a story—it should resonate with the grantor's mission.
5. Track Your Results - After obtaining funding, measure and document the impact of your initiatives to share in future proposals.
6. Stay Updated - Many grant opportunities have timelines. Subscribe to newsletters and grant search platforms to keep detailed track.
7. Don't Overlook Smaller Grants - Small grants can add up and often have less competition.

Next Steps

Ready to start your grant-finding journey? Begin using Zeffy's AI Grant Research Tool today to unlock unlimited access to grants tailored for your alumni group.

For additional resources, consider checking out the Foundation Center's online directory and GrantWatch for a comprehensive view of what's available.