Step 5: How your proposal will be reviewed
The Foundation will review all documents submitted with the grant proposal, as well as every applicant’s:
Proposals will not be considered from applicants who are not in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
The Foundation has established review criteria designed to give applicants a direction when writing a proposal. The overall goal of each grant round is to fund a group of proposal that collectively will best further missions of the Foundation and the grantees.
Proposals are reviewed through an evaluation process that includes a point system for completeness of requested information as well as the subjective rating of each reviewer.
Consider these following questions as you craft your proposal:
- Does the proposed project bring people together in a common effort that would not otherwise happen?
- Does it increase the capacity of individuals, groups or the entire community?
- Does it build community?
- Would it happen without our funding?
- Does it leverage other funding or create the likelihood of other activities as a result?
- Is the project or organization addressing concerns of greatest importance to the community?
- Does it create, promote or increase civic engagement?
- Is the organization strong and well-managed?
- Are the key people in the project to be funded likely to produce successful outcomes?
- Are there specific outcomes described that are appropriate to the goals of the project?
- If the outcomes are steps to long-term change, are the benchmarks appropriate to the long-term goals?
- If sustainability is appropriate to the project, is there a viable plan for long-term funding?
- Do the outcomes described improve the capacity of people or organizations to function better as members of an interconnected community and/or to build essential life skills?
- Is the organizational commitment to the request clear and appropriate?
- Has the organization made appropriate connections with other organizations doing similar or closely-related work?
- What is the total funding picture for the request and is the amount requested of us appropriate?
- How does this request build upon existing strengths in the organization and the community?
- Is the organization reflective of the community it serves?
- Is the work of the organization respectful of the populations it serves?
- If the request is for something with a high element of risk, what is compelling enough for us to take that leap of faith?
- Is this project or organization involving the people most essential to its success?
- Are the necessary commitments in place for us to make an informed judgment about the likelihood of the project for successful outcomes?
- Does this request further the Foundation’s mission and the mission of the requesting organization?
- Is the timing right for this project to succeed?
Proposals will be reviewed by volunteer committees broadly representing the community. Committee members use their expertise and knowledge of the community to contribute to the overall assessment of each proposal based on the degree to which it fits the overall guidelines and priorities.
The committees make recommendations for funding to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees who have the responsibility to approve final grant decisions.
2010 Grant Deadlines
April 7, 2010
Arts & Culture, Education,
Environmental &
Historic Preservation
July 21, 2010
Children & Youth At-Risk,
Health, and Human Services
Proposals should be delivered by 4:00; or postmarked by the dates listed.
