How the Foundation Evaluates Grant Requests

The Foundation may use any of the following criteria when reviewing your discretionary grant proposal, particularly Strategy Grants. Ideally, your proposal should answer each of the questions raised by these criteria.

Organizational stability and capacity

• Does the organization have the means to carry out the project effectively, including professional expertise and experience, financing and human resources?
• How long has the organization been in operation? Have there been any significant changes in the organization's structure or senior leadership?

Leadership

• Who are the key staff leading the project and the organization?
• What credentials and experience do they have that qualifies them to oversee the proposed project? 

Sustainability

• Will the organization(s) involved maintain the project beyond the Foundation’s initial investment?  If so, how?
• Where does the project fall in the list of organizational priorities and mission?

Impact and evaluation

• What are the proposed outcomes?
• How will they be measured and who will measure them?
• Does evaluation include measuring the effectiveness of process and outcome, with a clear definition of what constitutes success?
• Are outcomes clearly articulated and can they produce valuable lessons learned for other organizations, policy-makers and affected communities?

Collaboration

• Does the project foster cooperation between the applicant organization and other appropriate organizations in the community to better address complex needs?

Community relevance and clarity

• How does the proposed project promote systems change? In what ways will it have statewide or regional impact?
• What is the organization’s connection to the community served by the project?
• Is the constituency to be served involved in the overall program design, delivery and evaluation?
• Does the project add to the resources or services in the target community?
• What is the evidence that the project is needed? Why is this opportunity critical now?
• Is the proposed project clearly explained in the proposal?

Diversity

• Diversity is defined as the differences that significantly affect the way people understand themselves and are treated by others. It encompasses, but is not limited to, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, physical and mental abilities and characteristics, and philosophy.
• Is the community's diversity represented in the project? Is diversity reflected in the applicant organization’s staff and board leadership, its recruitment and training, and allocation of resources?

Equity

• Does the organization or project reduce barriers or increase opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented populations?
• Does the organization clearly outline how it is intending to realize long-term systems change?