We evaluate each letter of inquiry (LOI) to assess the proposed project's impact, feasibility, sustainability, and the organization’s capacity to plan, implement, and sustain the project.
Evaluation factors include:
- Alignment with our priorities.
- The project’s alignment with the organization’s mission.
- The strength and experience of the board of directors, executive leadership, and project staff.
- Credible evidence the project will produce the stated impact.
- Your letter of inquiry also should demonstrate that you have performed adequate financial planning.
2009 evaluation factors include:
- Correlate to pressing needs caused by the economic downturn.
- Benefit vulnerable children, youth, and families from diverse communities throughout Washington state and the greater Portland area.
- Ready for implementation now.
- Stage of readiness for implementation will facilitate positive short-term impact (6 to 12 months), but also lead to more enduring longer-term results.
- Leverage partnerships with public or other private funders.
In addition to these general criteria, we consider criteria in two separate but distinct types of funding we offer: project support and general operating support.
1. Project Support
This funding supports specific programs or projects administered by nonprofits and tribes that work with children, youth, and families in need. Funding may include “overhead” costs associated with running a project, including staff.
- Funding may be requested for multiple years. Typically, grants are not made for more than three years, and the funding amount for each year decreases annually.
- The foundation does not fund an entire project; we expect to be one of multiple funding sources. Grants may cover up to 20 percent of the project’s total budget. Please do not request more than 20 percent of the project’s budget. Strong applications will show other funding sources in place, and potential sources of funding for the project in the future.
- Well-established approaches that are based on best practice or evidence, have a proven track record, and show a positive impact on clients receive funding priority over start-ups or demonstration programs. Start-up and demonstration projects must be well thought out and completely planned (including a funding plan) prior to submitting an LOI.
- The foundation does not expect to fund projects beyond the grant period. Organizations that receive a grant for project support should not reapply for funding for the same project.
2. General Operating Support
We provide limited general operating support for nonprofit organizations that work with children and families in need. These grants:
- Are targeted at the organizations that use proven practices and serve the most vulnerable populations.
- Often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity.
- Require that applicants address plans for sustaining their organization and programs beyond the period of the grant at current levels. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis.
- May fund multiple-year requests for up to three years. Often multiple-year funding will decrease annually. Note: General operating grants are not renewable.
- May cover up to 10 to 20 percent of an organization’s budget; the percentage may be lower for multi-million dollar budget organizations.