Directing your inquiry at the right person is half the battle. With large foundations and government agencies, a program officer is likely listed as the contact. Corporations usually clearly indicate whom to contact, whether it’s someone in the foundation or community affairs department.

One thing you should resist: do not “go senior,” that is, approach someone higher up at the foundation or corporation. That would be going counter to the funder’s instructions, which is always the best means to get your proposal rejected. Also, going over the program officer’s head will surely alienate them, possibly weakening the presentation of your request to the trustees. And your senior-seeking inquiry probably won’t be answered anyway. There’s a reason the program officer was designated as the contact—the senior person has other things to do!