Ask us anything: What questions can I ask funders? 

Talking to a person in a position of power, like a foundation program officer, can be very intimidating. Both grantmakers and grantseekers know the importance of open communication, but grantmakers say they hardly ever hear from grantseekers. Often fundraisers are afraid—of saying something stupid, jeopardizing a particular grant, or hearing something they don’t want to hear.  

Well, never fear! We educational programming managers at Candid have some solid advice about what you can actually ask funders.  

What do I do before I reach out?  

How do you approach a foundation? First, do your homework. This means getting to know the funder and the funder’s grantmaking history and strategies. 

• Review their website if they have one.  
• Read their social media posts, blogs, and news releases. 
• Find and look at their grant guidelines (and note any questions you have). 
• Look at the funder’s profile on Candid search. Sometimes this is the only place to find a clear outline of their grantmaking. See which nonprofits and what projects they’ve funded, as well as which program officer you might reach out to.  

Another good thing to do is to contact one of their past grant recipients and ask: Who’s the best person to talk to? What was your experience with this funder? Any tips you can give me? Many grant recipients are perfectly happy to help you out.  

How do I start a dialogue with a funder? 

Informational conversations are a great way to learn more about a funder—especially details that aren’t listed in an RFP or online. Start with a call to introduce yourself and ask who the best person to talk with would be.  

When mentioning your organization’s connections to the foundation, consider your tone and intent. Saying, “our board president knows _____ at your foundation well and thinks we would have a positive impact together” is fine. But implying you only want to speak to that connection or you expect to be favored by the connection can sound entitled and off-putting.  

What types of questions can I ask funders?   

Once you’ve got the right person, you can ask, for example:  

• Do you accept new applicants?  
• What are your funding cycles and deadlines?  
• What are your program priorities and focus areas?  
• What’s your typical grant size/grant duration?  
• What makes a proposal stand out?  

Call for clarification throughout the grant application process. It’s good to build a strong rapport with the funder in advance, because you’ll feel more confident about calling while completing the grant request. Simple clarifying questions (“What does this question mean?” “What attachments can I send with this?” “When am I likely to hear about this submission?” etc.) are much better answered directly by the funder.  

Finally, you may have to call for clarification after the decision. If they decline your application, you might give them a call to thank them for their consideration—AND to find out why they said no. You might ask them about funding in the future, or any funders they might recommend. Do what you can to keep the lines of communication open. 

Are there questions I shouldn’t ask funders?  

Yes. Avoid asking for information that can be found on the foundation’s website, RFP, or application. If you ask for information that’s readily available, it may seem you’re not prepared for the opportunity. Your questions should make clear that you’ve done your research and are serious about learning more and submitting a grant request if your missions align. 

Ultimately, you want to keep your questions focused on learning, partnership, and impact.  

How do I maintain a relationship with funders? 

Keep in touch! Share updates on your work, successes, and even challenges. Tag funders in social media posts, send quick email updates, or invite them to events. Share blog posts, podcasts, or articles with funding partners. Funding partners are interested in the same issue area as you, and even if they’re too busy to read/listen, at least they know that you’re informed and continuously learning. These quick check-ins, along with zoom or phone calls, build trust over time. And once you’ve established a relationship, you should also be able to provide honest feedback to funders.  

Can I ask funders for additional support? 

Often, yes! If a foundation has been funding you for a while and you have a good relationship, you can absolutely ask them to consider increasing their grant amount next year. If a funder already values the work you do, they want to see you succeed. If you angle the conversation toward the significant impact you’ve had in recent years and combine that story with a clear explanation of what you need to continue making an impact and why, you can have the kind of open, honest conversation that a funder appreciates.  

And if a funder says no, it’s not always a forever no, and simply having the conversation is beneficial for the partnership.  

What if I have an urgent need? 

If you’re facing an unforeseen challenge, definitely reach out to current funders. They won’t want to find out at the end of the year that you’ve been quietly struggling without talking to them, or that some of your programs may have to be cut back. With a timely conversation that explains the situation, major problems can be averted.  

Program officers can also share advice and ideas or introduce you to new funders. So, you don’t want to only ask for money, but rather invite the funder into the problem-solving process as the partner that they are. Stay transparent, stay connected, and keep telling your story. That’s how lasting partnerships grow. 

We hope these answers will help you plan ahead for 2026 to start conversations and build sustainable partnerships with funders. You can find more resources at Candid Learning and our YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels.