Best practices - Evaluating Grant Applications

BettieStammerjohn

Being new to Foundant Grants - this is our first year - I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for doing an informative and useful application evaluation process for the reviewers?

We've always used a simple worksheet. Going online with our grant applications, we changed up the application.

I want to develop a process that will help the reviewers look between the lines and truly assess the project on its merits and potential impact.

I keep looking at my applications and coming up blank.

But I'll be honest - I've had a head cold for the past week. I'm tired and worn out from this pandemic and I just can't think strategically. So I'm hoping you all might have some suggestions that will get my mind back in gear

Thanks for your help (and my apologies for TMI)

ClaraHansen

Hi @BettieStammerjohn, did you make any headway with developing a process? I too am interested in making the evaluation process as meaningful as possible and want to make sure it's not burdensome for reviewers.

Thanks, Clara Hansen

Executive Director

ArtisFreye

@BettieStammerjohn @ClaraHansen - Hello, ditto, I would be interested in some examples as well. And how to assure an equitable approach.

Thank you,

Artis Freye

DebbieStanton

Community Impact Fund Application Evaluation .pdf

We recently enhanced our evaluation process to align better with application answers. The scoring questions are tied directly to grant application responses. I've used this similar evaluation in other processes as well. It goes pretty smoothly for the reviewers. After they score each request, I create a spreadsheet of the requests from top scores to lower scores, then I draw a thick line at the level of funding available. We don't strictly fund only the requests above the line, but it is a great tool to start the committee discussions.

KatieDecker

This is wonderful! Aligning those evaluation questions with the applicants' answers makes this process flow so well!

I've also seen a trend of adding a 'gut feel' or a 'bonus points' section for those intangible things about an application. This can help the evaluators focus on the questions in the rubric area as they have a place to express their like (or dislike) of the project in that space.