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<DIV>Start small.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Go first to your local community foundation and/or state humanities
council. Both should have funding for local small grassroots projects.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>After you have completed a smaller project, it is easier to then get a
larger grant from a regional foundation or national foundation. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Never start at the federal level first, too much work at times, when you
can get more from a foundation with less paperwork.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Also think of re-branding yourself as something different than a "language
program" -- many foundations and state and federal programs (expect those just
for language) don't understand the purpose of language programs. So how else can
you re-brand yourself? A jobs program for elders? An after-school program for at
risk kids? Those are the types of things that foundations will fund. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Also think of your program as a "success" and a "positive force in your
community" -- no one -- wants to hear the sad story of loss. Again re-brand your
story to a story of success and positive advancement of your community -- you
have found the solution to the problems in your community -- and the solution
lies within your language, elders, etc. If you tell the sad story, no one wants
to hear it -- and bottom line -- they will not give you money!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rosalyn LaPier</DIV>
<DIV>Piegan Institute</DIV>
<DIV>Montana</DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>