Corporate Prospecting
Cathy Sterling , Vice President
November 2010

Today more than ever, foundations and corporations are responding to the economic downturn with dramatic changes in their business objectives and philanthropic giving. For this reason, it is vital for nonprofit organizations to undertake smart, informed research that yields a workable number of targeted foundations and corporations as potential donors.

Schultz & Williams consistently recommends to its clients, particularly new start-up organizations, the development of a strong research program.

For the new National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C., S&W advised the Museum to identify corporations and foundations which would support capacity-building as well as general operating and planning funds – all of which are critical to successfully positioning the Museum in its initial pre-campaign planning phase.

The Museum has pinpointed corporations and foundations with these parameters; letters of inquiry, online queries and one-on-one meetings are now in process.

Research by nonprofits into specific foundations and corporations also yields important, detailed information on corporate financial activity and products, actual grant levels and grantee organizations, board/trustee members, important deadlines and proposal requirements.

Schultz & Williams is a national consulting firm based in Philadelphia; providing management, fundraising and marketing consulting for nonprofit organizations, along with full-service direct marketing, database and creative/production services.