If you’re an executive director, development staff member, or board leader considering working with FFTF, reviewing this information in advance can shorten the time between your discovery call and an active contract.
Getting Started with Fundraising for the Future
Starting a new fundraising partnership should feel clear, organized, and momentum‑building—not overwhelming. At Fundraising for the Future, our onboarding process is designed to help us move quickly and strategically while minimizing back‑and‑forth once we begin working together.
This short overview outlines:
- The first steps in a new FFTF partnership
- What happens immediately after you become a client?
- The materials we ask for upfront so our team can begin prospecting and planning right away
Step 1: Discovery & Alignment
Every partnership begins with a discovery conversation. During this call, we learn about your organization, programs, funding goals, and capacity. We also discuss which of our services are the best fit—such as grant writing, prospect research, fundraising strategy, or social enterprise development.
This conversation ensures alignment before moving forward and allows our team to begin thinking strategically about your funding landscape. By the end of this conversation, both teams have a shared understanding of scope, priorities, and next steps.
Step 2: Initial Onboarding & Prospecting Setup
Once you decide to move forward, our goal is to begin prospecting as quickly as possible. To do that, we ask new clients to provide a small but essential set of materials that allow us to understand what you need funding for and where to look. These materials do not need to be polished or final—working drafts are sufficient to begin prospecting.
Items we need upfront so we can begin prospect research include:
- Program or Project Areas
A short description of programs or projects seeking funding, including purpose, beneficiaries, timeline (if applicable), and whether the need is operational or for capital improvements. - Funding Targets and Prioritization
Estimated funding needs (minimum, desired, and future funding goals if available), including any restricted or unrestricted requirements. This helps our team understand where to focus first. - Organization Quick Facts
Legal name, EIN, address, website, tax status (or fiscal sponsor), and primary fundraising contact. - Existing Leads
Any prospect lists or prior outreach notes you already have—foundations, corporations, government funders, or major donors.
We combine proven fundraising practices with organized file management, collaborative tools, and emerging technologies.
Phase 2: Grant Readiness & Strategy Development
Additional materials can be provided over time to strengthen prospecting and support calendar development and grant applications. These materials allow us to strengthen alignment, meet funder requirements, and submit more competitive applications. They are not required to begin, but they significantly improve efficiency.
Examples include:
- Recent financials and budgets
- Program budgets and evaluation metrics
- Staff and board information
- Prior grant proposals and award history
- Marketing or outreach materials not published on your website
- Compliance documents (W‑9, Form 990, determination letter, etc.)
Our team will guide you through what’s needed and when, based on your goals and timeline.
How We Work With You
Fundraising for the Future operates as an extension of your team. Rather than relying on a single grant writer, you are assigned a dedicated Client Lead who serves as your primary point of contact and is backed by FFTF’s full team of experienced fundraising professionals. Our team manages prospecting, grant writing, tracking, and submissions using shared systems and client‑specific templates.
We combine proven fundraising practices with organized file management, collaborative tools, and emerging technologies—always with human oversight—to ensure accuracy, consistency, and strategic focus.
Why Preparation Matters
Having these materials ready allows FFTF to:
- Move faster after your discovery call
- Reduce delays during contracting
- Begin prospecting immediately once an agreement is signed
- Submit stronger, better‑aligned funding requests
Interested in working together? We look forward to learning more about your organization and helping you build a stronger, more sustainable funding future. Contact Us
