Imagine walking into an event full of grant funders, decision makers, and program officers, and instead of explaining who you are to everyone you want to meet, they already know who you are, your mission, and your impact. 

They nod, smile, and even hug you… because they genuinely want to see you win. 

And no, you’re not daydreaming…

That’s what happens when you stop treating funders like anonymous ATMs and start building intentional relationships with them.

I want to deep dive into the strategies I have personally used that fundraisers in 2026 need. It’s not only about submitting strong proposals, but it’s to become trusted partners, because funders actually want to support you, year after year.

Why Relationships Matter

For so long, entrepreneurs, founders, and nonprofits have treated funding like a transactional game where they simply write a proposal, put their grant application package together, hit send, cross their fingers, and hope for the best. 

But grants, capital, and fundraising have evolved tremendously, and its founders and organizations with experience working with funders who understand they are not people who only write checks. They’re partners.

So you don’t only need a good idea or to start a business or organization, but you need trust, alignment, and credibility before you ever submit your paperwork.

Experts in the industry emphasize that meaningful funder relationships allow you to understand priorities more deeply, position your mission with nuance, and shape your applications that resonate because you’ll get what they want to accomplish. 

In other words, funders prefer giving to businesses and organizations they understand and trust, according to Instrumentl. 

In a world where tens of thousands of applications and proposals compete for dollars, relationship building becomes your unfair advantage.

Strategy #1 — Research Like a Detective 

Before you ever start typing Dear Program Officer, invest your time in research that rivals some investigative journalism.

Here’s what your research should look like:

📌 Read beyond the homepage.
Annual reports, strategic plans, and giving histories show where funders are headed and what they value.

📌 Review past grantees.
This tells you not just what a funder says it supports, but what it actually funds, and that’s going to give some real insight.

📌 Get to know the people behind the money.
Who are the program officers, managers, volunteers, and executive leaders? What issues do they speak about publicly? There is personalization with genuine knowledge which wins attention.

The goal is to speak their language and reflect their priorities before you ever pitch, and that level of preparation make a huge difference from a connection than a blind submission. 

Strategy #2 — Reach Out Thoughtfully and Early

So here’s the catch… most businesses and organizations wait until a grant application, funding opportunity or RFP is released and then they’ll bombard the funders with submission forms. 

Please don’t be like them. 
Instead, make your first move early:

• Send a warm, personalized email introducing your mission.

• Mention a specific initiative of theirs that resonates with your work.

• Ask a thoughtful question that invites a conversation.

Think of this first contact like a coffee meeting… it can be brief, intentional, and focused on just connecting. There isn’t any immediate asks. So don’t go asking them folks for $10,000 on the first convo. 

Funders appreciate hearing from potential partners early. It shows intentionality and respect for their strategy. But it also gives you insight that others may not have, so you can understand how your work aligns before you get into building a full application and proposal. 

Strategy #3 — Engage Beyond the Grant or Funding Cycle

This is where most businesses and organizations lose their ground, because your communication starts to drop off after your submission. We need to change that. The point of building these relationships is to have communication.

So stay engaged, and that’s consistently, graciously, and without being so pushy.

Here’s what that looks like

• Share milestone updates from either your business, program launches, impact stats, or stories

• Invite funders to your events or site visits

• Send some articles or insights that they might care about.

• Highlight partnership outcomes even when there’s no immediate ask.

This ongoing dialogue with the funder keeps you at the top of mind and demonstrates your commitment. It also makes you unforgettable. 

Funders aren’t blind to these engagement patterns. 

Regular and authentic touchpoints build familiarity and trust, both of which can increase your chances of having long‑term support. 

Strategy #4 — Embrace Trust‑Based Philanthropy 

Trust‑based philanthropy is becoming a standard practice. This approach changes the traditional dynamic by moving away from power imbalance and more towards mutual learning, transparency, and shared accountability.

According to a 2025 survey from Nonprofit Learning Lab, nearly nine in ten grant funders embrace trust‑based philanthropy principles, meaning they value consistent communication and flexibility more than strict compliance. 

What this shift means for you:

• Always ask for feedback when proposals or applications aren’t funded (trust me on this).

• Be transparent about your challenges and pivots without sounding like you’re begging.

• Co‑create solutions with funders rather than just reporting basic outcomes to them.

Funders who practice trust‑based approaches aren’t just giving you money, but they’re inviting you into a partnership.

Strategy #5 — Leverage Warm Introductions

Cold outreach has a significant place, but warm introductions catalyze relationships faster.

Your team, board members, advisors, partners, peers etc. Make a list of everyone you know, because someone in your ecosystem or network probably knows someone in a foundation or corporate giving program.

That introduction isn’t just a foot in the door for you, but it’s a transfer of trust.

Prospective funders and decision makers are more likely to engage when someone they respect and trust vouches for you.

Part of strategic fundraising is mapping out your network just like a treasure map:

• Who has funding access?

• Who can make an intro for you?

• Who sits on panels or boards that influence funding decisions?

Relationships compound when you’re already connected to others who are in the same ecosystem as you.

7 Grant‑Funding Organizations & Funding Agencies Worth Your Time in 2026

Here are some examples of funders that are worth building a relationship with. And it’s not just because they have capital, but because their missions align with building strategic funding partnerships:

1. Coefficient Giving

Formerly known as Open Philanthropy, Coefficient Giving has directed over $4 billion in grants across global health, scientific innovation, economic mobility, and public policy. Their newer initiatives, including the Abundance and Growth Fund, focus on scaling solutions that produce measurable, systems‑level impact.

✔️ Multi‑year funding at a large scale that supports long‑term vision
✔️ Strong alignment with policy, research, and impact‑driven ventures
✔️ A relationship here can increase credibility and additional capital across sectors

2. Allstate Main Street Grants Program

This corporate-backed program awards unrestricted $20,000 grants to U.S. small business owners, including for‑profit entrepreneurs. It is delivered in partnership with Hello Alice, with the program also having direct funding for education, peer community, and technical assistance.

✔️ Unrestricted capital that gives founders the flexibility to invest where it’s most needed
✔️ Capacity‑building support that strengthens long‑term business infrastructure
✔️ Corporate affiliation that increases your visibility and future partnership potential

3. Lenovo Evolve Small Grant

Lenovo’s Evolve Small initiative provides grants, mentorship, marketing exposure, and ecosystem access to entrepreneurs in select cities. The program is designed to support underserved founders while increasing business visibility and operational strength.

✔️ Combines capital with your brand exposure from a global tech company
✔️ Localized model, which means having recurring opportunities as the markets rotate
✔️ Ideal for founders who are looking to grow in both revenue and reputation

4. Mulago Foundation

Mulago is known for unrestricted, trust‑based funding and fellowship programs that support high‑impact solutions addressing poverty, climate change, and scalable innovation. Their approach prioritizes outcomes, learning, and long‑term partnerships.

✔️ Flexible funding allows leaders to adapt and innovate without restrictions
✔️ Emphasis on measurable impact, which strengthens your long‑term funding profile
✔️ Deep relationship model that encourages continued investment

5. Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures operates with an investment mindset, where its funding initiatives drive systemic change in areas like education, healthcare, public policy, and criminal justice reform. Their grantmaking is also data‑driven and strategy‑oriented.

✔️ Ideal for organizations and founders working within policy and impact
✔️ Strategic funding can influence your broader systems, and not just individual programs
✔️ Association with Arnold Ventures will strengthen credibility with other funders

6. FedEx Entrepreneur Fund & Boost Camp

FedEx offers a grant and accelerator-style program that includes direct funding, which is often around $10,000, mentorship, and business development coaching through its Boost Camp. Participants can refine their growth strategies and improve their operational readiness.

✔️ Funding is paired with structured support to improve your sustainability
✔️ The accelerator environment strengthens your pitching and execution skills
✔️ The FedEx brand association enhances your trust with customers and partners

7. Intuit QuickBooks x Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

This corporate grant and recognition initiative awards up to $20,000 to U.S. small businesses that demonstrate resilience, innovation, or community impact. Winners also receive marketing exposure and access to business tools.

✔️ Combines capital with visibility and brand credibility
✔️ Emphasizes storytelling, while making it ideal for mission‑driven founders
✔️ Access to QuickBooks and Mailchimp resources that support scalable growth

8. Marguerite Casey Foundation

In 2025, the foundation increased annual grantmaking to $130 million, reinforcing its commitment to equity‑centered, community‑driven work.

✔️ Large‑scale funding for movements and long‑term change
✔️ Values relationship‑based grant-making over transactional funding

9. Novo Nordisk Foundation

A global leader in health, science, and equity funding that awards over $1.3 billion annually in grants across international portfolios.

✔️ Access to global capital and international partnerships
✔️ A strong fit for ventures in health, research, and innovation

10. MacArthur Foundation 

This program awards grants to transformative ideas while also supporting finalists with their networks, expertise, and long‑term visibility.

✔️ Exposure alone can provide additional funding, capital, and partnerships
✔️ Demonstrates the power of bold and well‑positioned ideas

My Secret Sauce

Winning a grant doesn’t happen the moment you submit your application, but it can happen sooner than you expect when you:

• Understand the funder priorities

• Show up consistently

• Build real connections before, during, and after the process

If you treat funders like friends or even your cousins, rather than some strangers you want to impress, the entire fundraising strategy will change for you.

These are normal human beings… just like you and me. 

These relationships can truly multiply your wins over time.

Become a club member

If you haven’t already, upgrade to become a club member

As a club member, you’ll receive a weekly capital insider newsletter with:

• Weekly Grant Alerts – Opportunities for nonprofits, small businesses, startups, accelerators, and pitch competitions.

• Capital Strategy Tips – Learn how to craft donation campaigns, prep for pitches and partnerships, and get investor-ready with confidence.

• Donation Growth Hacks – Access to email scripts, storytelling templates, and seasonal giving ideas that actually work.

• Club Member Discounts – discounts on all digital products, workshops, and accelerators. 

• Monthly Funding Lab Live Session- Join Laine Bradley and other members for a 1-hour live coaching call each month 

Your Weekly Action Steps

1. Choose two funders from the list above or that you have researched on your own.

2. Research them thoroughly, such as their mission, recent grants, and leadership insights.

3. Draft one personalized introduction email to them.

4. Send by next Friday.

5. Schedule a follow‑up task for two weeks later with a gentle update or insight.
   

Start here and watch your capital network expand like wildfire.

Talk soon,

Laine B.
Founder, Capital Insider Club