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Submitting Foundation
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Foundation Name:
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Community Foundation of Broward
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Address:
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1401 East Broward Boulevard
Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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Phone:
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954-761-9503
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Fax:
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954-701-7102
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Website URL:
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www.cfbroward.org
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Founded:
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1982
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Submitted By:
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Linda Carter
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Title:
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President
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Practice Example Details
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Applicability:
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All community foundations
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Methodology:
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Unrestricted fund grantmaking
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Standard:
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A community foundation awards some grants from its discretionary resources through open, competitive processes that address the changing needs of the community.
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How does this practice
meet the applicable standard?
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By working with the local community,
the Foundation has identified key areas in the community that need investment and higher profiles: while the process for applying for a grant is still open, applicants need to meet priority areas that address local needs. Grants are awarded four times a year through a competitive grants process.
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Briefly describe the practice,
including key elements:
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The Community Foundation of
Broward County no longer has an unrestricted fund, but rather uses its discretionary resources to award grants in four priority areas identified by the Foundation in collaboration with the local community. The four areas are:
• The Arts – Tools for Change
• Foster Care – Helping Children & Families in Crisis
• Out of School Time - Experiences to empower, enlighten and engage family development
• Technology – Building skills and systems in the 21st Century
The Foundation changed to this model to move away from a practice in which funds were spread very thinly across a large number of organizations and thus having little long term impact. It was decided that larger investments in a more targeted recipient base would, in the long term, support real change and development.
The process of change brought staff, the grants committee and board members together with key members of the recipient communities to ensure that the program did not become ‘personality based’ with a staff member.
Grants are distributed four times a year but applications are received throughout the year, without any deadlines imposed. The average size grant is $10,000 for project or small equipment costs. Although not impossible, contributions to larger revenue or capital appeals are unlikely to be funded. Although multi-year grants are not awarded, applicants can reapply for funding a number of years in a row.
Staff members make assessments by telephone and work closely with the applicant to encourage and support the best possible application. Assessments rarely include site visits due to time constraints. Staff write application reports that not only include a recommendation for funding, but a recommendation of the size of grant. This report is sent to the grants committee prior to meetings. During grant committee meetings, applications are discussed and the committee recommendations are sent to the Board for ratification.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified by letter, however successful applicants are required to sign a grant contract before a check is released. Grantees are required to complete end of grant reports.
The committee aims to award equal number of grants and total amount to each priority and split the distribution equally across the four meetings, however exceptions are made when strong applications that will have larger impact are received.
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What method is used for
monitoring and measuring outcome?
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When the Foundation implemented
this priority driven grant program, it intended it to last only 3-5 years since they believed if successful, the need in these areas would have been reduced. Having been in operation for nearly 4 years, the Foundation is bringing together community representatives within each priority once more to assess how the program has impacted the community and to determine the current needs.
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What were the results?
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The process is still ongoing, however it is expected that priority changes will be made and / or focused even more closely on specific issues, particularly in the area of Foster Care. Any changes will be implemented for a further 3-5 years and will once again involve staff, committee, Board and community representative to ensure that all levels take responsibility for the program.
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