Best Of
Accommodation Language and Methodology for Low Tech Applicants
During a recent call we discussed some great strategies for assisting low-tech applicants and needs. A variety of methodology is being used to let applicants know the service is available (only if they ask, word of mouth, provide information in webinars, etc).
Our language is: If you do not have reasonable access to a computer or high speed internet connection or have other technology challenges, please contact....
What language and methodology are you using? How are you sharing it? Is it in your guidelines or on a "How to apply for and manage a grant" page? Or somewhere else?
BONUS QUESTIONS: Some of our programming (particularly small project grants to individual artists) is paid as a reimbursement (assures project happened, allows for collection of receipts, reduces risks associated with paying up front). The challenge is these individual artists are the ones who need the money up-front the most. So we are considering a "hardship" clause. "If receiving the funding as a reimbursement after the project is complete will be a hardship for you, please email staff for alternatives." My questions: 1. A better name? 2. Anyone else doing this? 3. Is it realistic to think anyone would admit to needing it up front?
Re: Grant Review Practices
@AbbeyCameron this almost fits the description of our foundational review process to a tee. I've found it useful to create a checklist of due diligence items that need to be reviewed to avoid missing any crucial steps (i.e. checking their info on Guidestar for compliance, missing uploaded documents/follow ups, if they have met with us for an interview etc.). The checklist has also been useful to keep track of other data: if they are a returning/new applicant, geographic location of the nonprofit etc. so that we can create a dashboard to provide an overview of grants for each cycle which then also helps us comparatively review at the end of the year what we accomplished.
TramKieu
Re: Trust-Based Philanthropy
Here are a few things that we have done to work on our relationships with our non-profit partners. It is something that we continue to work on. Even small changes make a difference.
1) Continue make changes to our application so that it is less complicated.
2) Shorten our impact reports for year end reporting. This is something we continue to work on.
3) Host funding workshops at the start of our grant cycle. We walk the non-profits through the applications. We point out any major changes, and allow for questions. In previous years, when we hosted in person, it was also a chance for the non-profits to network. This has been a major success and we have received a lot of positive feedback.
Values-Based Grantmaking: Aligning Organizational Values with Grantmaking Practices
Thank you to everyone who joined us today for our Grants Coffee Talk: Values-Based Grantmaking, Aligning Organizational Values with Grantmaking Practices! We are creating this discussion space here to continue the conversation. Please share your own thoughts and examples even if you didn't raise your hand today, we'd love to hear more about what you all are doing!
Internal Transfer: Scholarship fund to emergency assistance fund
Does anyone have any experience asking scholarship donors to contribute to an emergency assistance fund?
Some background: We launched our emergency assistance fund for students in July. It's actually been quite popular with our donor-advised fundholders and is a nice value-add that we can offer to scholarship fundholders as all of their recipients are eligible. However, we'd love to have our scholarship donors contribute as well--where I'm getting stuck is if a transfer from Scholarship Fund A to the Student Assistance Fund would be IRS-approved. It is ultimately going to students, and there is a selection process in place (and no funds would be restricted to just recipients of Scholarship Fund A), but the funds would be making an internal transfer rather than going directly to a student first, if that makes sense. We haven't yet offered this contribution option to scholarship donors (some have made a separate gift in) but I'd like to, if it were possible.
Grant Due Diligence Policy
Dear colleagues,
DCCF is updating our Grant Due Diligence Policy. If your foundation has recently updated it's policy and you do not mind sharing, please respond to this post or email me directly at [email protected] Many thanks!
