MML Review Magazine Fall 2025

Optimize Your Gas Mileage Due to changes in public sector funding and other factors, large-scale institutional giving is tightening, but community-oriented funding remains steady. While it’s tempting to do a jackrabbit start once the light turns green, or when you finally meet a private foundation’s program officer, you will get better mileage with philanthropic funders by gently easing in the clutch and not grinding your gears. Slow and steady will help you cultivate genuine relationships with finesse that will match the pace of community foundations. You may find that getting off the federal trunk line and taking a Sunday drive through the backroads may not be the fastest way to funding, but this path often results in long-term relationships that lead to direct funding allocations.

For more information on shifts in philanthropic giving, visit these websites:

• JohnsonCenter.org • Philanthropy.com

Like your dad checking the oil before a big road trip, we’ve given you our best advice. Keep your bearings by watching your blind spots with good policy alignment, use your hands-free with grant search engines at MIFundingHub.org, top off your tank when you can by adding in other funding sources, and always use your turn signal by practicing good strategic planning in advance. While this roadmap is not foolproof, it will guide your fund-seeking journey. Drive safe, you guys! Melissa Milton-Pung is a policy research labs program manager for the League. You may contact Melissa at 734-669-6328 or mmiltonpung@mml.org.

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