Evaluation Criteria for Grant Applications

In addition to the Guiding Principles for Grantmaking, the Foundation considers numerous criteria in evaluating grant applications:

• Is there demonstrated need and demand for the proposed project?
• Will the proposed project benefit a meaningful number of people?
• Does the organization have the institutional capacity, including qualified staff, to successfully undertake the proposed project?
• Does the board of directors fully exercise all of its governance and oversight responsibilities?
• Are the board and staff ethnically and racially representative of the public they serve?
• Has the proposed project been thoroughly developed and carefully planned?
• Have the individuals expected to benefit from the project been consulted in its development?
• Is the budget for the proposed project detailed, realistic, and cost-effective?
• Are financial management systems and safeguards in place?
• Has provision been made for the evaluation of the proposed project?
• Is the Foundation the most appropriate source of funding?
• What other sources of support have been requested?
• Has a long-term funding plan been developed to support the proposed project beyond the term of the Foundation's support?