The Quest for Fatherhood Program Funding

If you read my last blog in this series, you have some great ideas for creating a logic model or a father engagement plan for your program. Now, you need a way to pay for your program. And pay for it over the long-term.

How are you going to find funding for all this much needed fatherhood work?

Let's chat funding.

There are several ways to go about funding your fatherhood program, but the main thing to remember is to diversify. When one funding stream comes to an end, you need to be prepared to fall back on another, until perhaps, you can get that other source back on track.

Option 1: Funding from Your Own Organizational Budget

The first option to consider is how you can find funding within your own organizational budget - which can certainly be difficult. Consider pulling a small amount of money from a program or two that is not as successful as expected, or from a budget where, with some shrewd planning, costs could be reduced. Of course, when you have the opportunity to plan budgets for the next fiscal year, be sure to include fatherhood in your planning, and earmark funds for fatherhood skill-building resources, just as you would for other handouts/brochures for other types of clients you serve.

NFI offers a variety of fatherhood resources and programs, some requiring a higher investment than others. But we do have something for everyone, I guarantee it!

Whichever fatherhood programming level you choose, providing father-specific, skill-building materials at some level is a step in the right direction.

Option 2: Funding from Outside Sources

Funding from outside sources is an option that your organization – in addition to starting fatherhood work on a smaller scale using funds from your own budget. With some planning, hard work, and dedication, you may be able to find an outside funding source that will provide for all aspects of your work with fathers.

From training your fatherhood program facilitators, to providing funding to sustain your program (staff stipends, ongoing fathering handbook costs, and other materials needed to run fatherhood program classes), outside funding could open up doors for your fatherhood program that you may have never imagined. And, you may be able to serve even more fathers than you ever thought possible

Your organization may want to seek outside funding from:

• Individuals
• Foundations
• Corporations
• Local, State & Federal Government
• Special Events/Fundraisers

Our recent webinar Fundraising for Fatherhood Programs goes into more detail around the above list of funding options.
You can watch it on-demand here!

In the meantime, are a few websites where you can research for funding opportunities:

Federal Grant Resources

• Grants.gov - A federal site that aggregates all federal grant opportunities. You can search for grants currently being offered and access grant writing resources.
• Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Grants – This is an ongoing, $150 million per year funding stream provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families to provide grants to organizations seeking to run fatherhood and/or marriage programs. 

Foundation / Grant Funding

• The Grant Station - An online funding resource for organizations seeking grants throughout the world. Providing access to a comprehensive online database of grant makers, as well as other valuable tools, Grant Station can help your organization make smarter, be`er-informed fund raising decisions.
• The Grantsmanship Center - Offers a variety of training such as The Grantsmanship Training Program, Earned Income Strategies and Competing for Federal Grants.
• Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) - Provides a range of training programs and webinars to help you raise money from your community. Additionally, they offer articles and subscription-based services to aid in your fund raising efforts. 

Looking for More?

We cover the details of funding your fatherhood program in our Father Engagement Certificate Training. We have five total sessions in this training. The first four sessions cover foundational information, program design, recruitment and retention, and involving moms. In the fifth session we cover Fundraising: How to Develop a Funding Plan for a Fatherhood Program:

• We help you think through how you will fund your fatherhood program and the importance of a Fund Development Plan.
• You will learn about the nuances of raising funds from individuals and foundations, as well as how to profile, research, select, and engage different types of funders/funding streams.
• Thinking through your funding options will help you prepare to launch a successful - and sustainable - fatherhood program.