What does The Albuquerque Community Foundation look for when it reviews your grant proposal? There are quite a number of factors that determine how your proposal will be received.
The overall goal of each grant round is to fund a group of proposals before the committee that collectively will best further the Foundation's and its grants' mission.
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?
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 n 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 ACF's mission and the mission of the requesting organization?
Is the timing right for this project to succeed?
