Where can I find a list or directory of foundations, investment firms or individuals interested in financially supporting Open Data initiatives?

Question

Where can I find a list or directory of other organizations, foundations and investment firms that are interested in funding "Open Data" initiatives? Those that are focused on Open Government data would be of particular interest.

We submitted a proposal, "NearbyFYI is like Fitbit & Mint.com but for towns" to The Knight Foundation News Challenge focused on Open Government. Our proposal was one of 40 selected as a semi-finalist from about 900 entries, sadly (for us) we didn't make the cut to be selected as a winner. We're investigating other options for funding and wondered this.

Answer 1

There are a lot of organizations that fund open data projects for various reasons. A few that have provided funding in the last year or two are:

• Governments: Ministries and organizations that are looking to create a specific solution.
  • US government: Grants and business opportunities from the US government can be found at https://www.fbo.gov/ and http://www.grants.gov/ Challenges are found at http://challenge.gov These change almost daily, so you can set up alerts for topics you are interested in.
• Ford Foundation (such as http://www.webfoundation.org/2012/08/announcing-ford-foundation-ogd-grant/)
• IBM (http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/initiatives/grant_programs.shtml)
• Sunlight Foundation (such as http://sunlightfoundation.com/participate/)
• Microsoft (such as http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/focus/cs/seif.aspx)
• Google (such as http://www.google.org/projects.html)
• Omidyar Network (http://www.omidyar.com/)
• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (http://www.hewlett.org/grants/grantseekers)
• Open Society (http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants)
• Knight News Foundation (you noted): https://www.newschallenge.org/open/open-government/evaluation/

Answer 2

There is an emerging class of investor projects known as "civic accelerators" or "social impact accelerators." Some are more oriented towards civic/tech than others. Here are just a few I've come across:

• Code for America accelerator
• The Impact Engine
• Points of Light Civic Incubator
• Good Company
• Matter.vc

Answer 3

Recent projects that are similar to yours that list their funders on their websites is probably the most timely source, although it will take a bit of hunting.

Answer 4

The most comprehensive resource I know of is The Foundation Center (http://foundationcenter.org/). Major foundations in your city likely subscribe to their very extensive funder researching tools. These foundations typically also have a library of local funding resources as well as directories to a wide range of other regional and national sources.

Over the years I was very well served taking some seminars on how to research using these tools. Key things to remember:

1. If the funder does not accept unsolicited applications don't contact them - unless they clearly state they accept such contact. As an alternative, after researching them closely, you may find ways to get yourself in front of their board members, major donors, partners etc. They can then 'discover' you and take your project back and through their internalized opportunity process.

2. Drill down to the highest potential funder targets and create a single calendar with the various funding cycle dates. Don't allocate your time working hard (i.e. researching and grant writing) on one funder who's deadline is 90 days away, even if they are a high probability - if you're going to miss the deadline for a mid-probability opportunity that's 30 days away.

3. Research the heck out of the foundation before approaching them. Especially search for past grantees, look for annual reports that describe their relationships and deliverables etc. Find connections - they're everywhere.

4. Ditto #3 - Learn who is the primary contact and research them as well. Find out how they tick, what interests them and what successes they've had.

5. Take 'development' seminars or courses to learn how major non-profits and foundations research their funding targets (donors). You'll likely be fascinated with the wide range of tools they use, many which can apply to your (our) situation.

6. Partner Up! If you can connect your program along with another NPO's all the better. They like collaborations. Of special interest to the funders is your partnering with their other (successful) grantees.

7. Attend your local Meetups that focus on non-profits. You'll be surprised how many there are. When networking with other NPO's look for the development people and ask them for advice and help. You'll likely be in non-competitive markets and most love to help.

Thanks!