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Do you offer a nonprofit loan program?
We are interested in expanding services to the nonprofit sector. One way to do so would be to offer loans. We are interested in identifying any foundations, particularly community foundations, that offer a loan program for nonprofits. Do you? Do you know a foundation that does? Thanks in advance for considering this…
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DAF grants to nonprofits where advisors sit on the board?
Do any foundations prohibit grants issued from DAFs (donor-advised funds) that go to nonprofits where the fund advisor is on the board? What if there are no staff of said nonprofit, so the work of the agency is conducted by the board members? And, what about issuing a grant to the nonprofit if the address of the nonprofit…
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Seeking ideas for fun and/or inspiring grant names
Okay, so it's time to spice up our grant process name. Our [County Name] Grants is a pretty uninspiring name. What about Transformational Grants ... or Better Together Grants ... or Efficacy in Action Grants?!?!! Does your foundation have a fun or inspiring grant name? Are you able to slip on your creative hat for a moment…
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The Percentage Test - Scholarships for Corporation Employees and Dependents
I'm having difficulty with the language around our corporate scholarship percentage test. (Long story.) Does anyone have a good source for the percentage test requirements? Particularly for employees? Also, does anyone have a scholarship that combines eligibility requirements for dependents of employees along with…
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Defending your decisions: How to stand up to those who claim you're not granting correctly
I'm curious if any funder has a protocol, practice, or tool to use when a community member says, "Hey, I don't think you're granting the way you should!" We know that not everyone is going to be pleased with your grant award decisions. And many people express disappointment. But every so often someone with privilege and/or…
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Setting up a scholarship fund in the midst of a tragic death
I know those of you who offer scholarship funds have encountered this before.... A family loses a child in a tragic death and wants to set up a scholarship fund A.S.A.P. because they want to direct memorial gifts to that fund. Putting aside the issue of whether or not they will raise enough in memorial gifts to establish a…
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Polling Feature?
Wouldn't it be great if Compass had a tool that we could use to take a quick poll of users? So, for example, I could ask how many users send scholarship payments annually versus by semester. This could help inform our decision-making! So, a quick show of hands: How many would like to see this feature added to Compass?
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Grantwriting Goofs: How NOT to fill out an application
I've started collecting a few gems that I've found in grant reports, applications, and even in responses to emails. I use these examples when presenting to a local university class on grantwriting best practices (eg, what NOT to do). I thought I'd share them. Maybe you might have some other examples to share as well?…
