developing a grant-making strategy

Identify the purpose and goals of the grant-making strategy

Review the organization's mission and values

Understand the current grant-making process and any limitations

Research and analyze the social, economic, and political landscape

Identify the key issues and challenges in the community or sector

Identify potential partners, stakeholders, and other organizations working in the field

Identify the focus areas or themes for the grants

Consider alignment with the organization's mission and values

Evaluate the potential impact and feasibility of each priority area

Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals

Define clear objectives for each priority area

Consider the desired outcomes and impact of the grants

Create eligibility criteria for potential grantees

Establish guidelines for grant applications and reporting

Define evaluation criteria for assessing grant proposals

Identify the available budget for grant-making

Evaluate the costs associated with the grant-making process

Consider the resources and staff needed for effective implementation

Define the stages of the grant-making process (application, review, selection, monitoring, evaluation)

Develop a timeline for each stage

Create a transparent and fair process for reviewing and selecting grants

Identify potential grantees and partners

Engage with stakeholders and community members

Develop collaboration opportunities with other funders or organizations

Establish a system for monitoring the progress and outcomes of the grants

Define the key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring success

Develop methods for collecting and analyzing data on grant impact

Conduct regular evaluations of the grant-making strategy

Collect feedback from grantees, stakeholders, and staff

Identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments

Develop a communication plan for sharing the grant-making strategy with stakeholders

Define reporting requirements for grantees

Ensure transparency in communicating the decisions and outcomes of the grant-making process