Resources

We are interested in updating language in our evaluation contracts related to ownership of the knowledge generated through that evaluation work. Many of the entities who partner with us to evaluate our work are researchers on the topic we are evaluating (for instance, the evaluation partner for our Healthy Schools Healthy Communities work has a robust portfolio of experience publishing on conditions for promoting healthy behaviors in communities). As such, we view the evaluation as mutually beneficial, giving the Foundation information on the effectiveness of our work but also allowing our work to contribute to the broader field of knowledge and research on a particular topic. We recently realized that standard language in our contracts is at odds with the idea that our evaluations are not simply contracts for services for the Foundation but contributing to the broader field of research. Specifically, our contract language states that the evaluator must get permission and approval from the Foundation prior to publishing or presenting on our work. There are certain scenarios where this makes sense but, more and more, we are coming across scenarios where we want to give other entities freedom to work with our information. As a Foundation we are committed to sharing what has and hasn’t been effective in our work, contributing knowledge gained to the broader field. That said, there is concern from a legal perspective of handing over all permissions to publish using data and information generated from our work. I am interested to know if anyone has created contract language that acknowledges the mutually beneficial nature of this work, protecting the Foundation’s interest and giving research partners the freedom necessary to pursue their work.

I am interested to know which grant makers use a peer review process (either internal or external) to review grants and make programmatic investment decisions. At the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), we have an internal peer review process that is core to how we review our work and make funding decisions. It is also core to our organizational learning. If your organization uses any sort of peer review process in this context, I would be interested to know that and learn a little about how you structure your process.

Northwest Area Foundation is entering into a new phase of being more intentional around diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI). I’m working with an internal team and we’ve developed goals, purpose, an initial work plan, and are capturing our current DEI practices, but right now what I’m seeking is “lessons learned” around engaging full staff and the board on a DEI effort. How did you think strategically about what input, when and why? I’d also love to see other examples of DEI “work plans” out there and if you have any dos/don’ts around org-wide assessments.

We are working on our evaluation budget at the moment and trying to decide how much to allocate. What percentage of your portfolio budget do you spend on evaluation? Could you also provide what field you work in?

I’d be interested to hear of ideas or changes your organization has made (big or small) to make online grant applications more accessible, particularly to individuals who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, and/or have limited hearing. I recognize that the grants application is just the beginning, and so I’m keeping in mind informational webinars, Q&A sessions, and how individuals connect with us are also a part of the equation here. If there are any suggestions, we’d love to hear of them.

Are you aware of other grantmaking efforts underway that are similarly looking to identify ideas from abroad to explore how they might be adapted here in the U.S.? Can you suggest any organizations or people in the US and abroad we should be learning from and with as we go?

We are considering developing a capacity building initiative to support a cohort of our health and social service grantees who have expressed an interest in developing (or expanding upon existing) billing systems for both public and private insurance. Do any of you have any experience with supporting individual grantees or groups of grantees in developing billing capacity, and if so, would you be willing to share your lessons learned as we explore how best to structure this opportunity?

I have a couple of accounting staff looking for training that will cover the tax regulations around the grants we make (ex. We can grant to 501©3’s, but not 501a6…gifts cannot be made to specific individuals at a NPO, but can be made to support a position). I’ve found the information on the GEO website regarding this information for private foundations, but I need it specifically for community foundations. Any resources would be greatly appreciated, thanks so much!

We are interested in learning more about foundations recognizing/rewarding the work of individual staff members at nonprofit organizations, and how such programs are structured.

We are considering using an Invitation Only approach for a potential new grantmaking program that has a fairly defined purpose and priorities and a significant grantmaking budget.