In an effort to increase the clarity and transparency of the criteria used to review proposals submitted to the Nonprofit Management Fund, the Fund has published its Proposal Review Criteria. The following is a list of the criteria used by the Fund Advisor and the grants sub-committee when reviewing grant applications.

What criteria are taken into consideration in reviewing applications to the Fund?

• The extent to which the applicant request matches the Fund's guidelines.
• The clarity of the narrative - regarding the nature of management challenges, type of assistance sought, and results to be achieved.
• The completeness of the budget, including cash and in-kind match documentation.
• Whether or not competing bids were sought from three consultants.
• The quality of the selected consultant's workplan, including the match between the nonprofit's description of the challenges with the resolution strategies proposed, and the details regarding the consultant's role and deliverables.
• The degree to which the proposed project improves the management or governance of the applicant organization.
• For past grantees, the extent to which there will be a longer-term impact on the management or governance of the organization.
• The availability of the Fund's grantmaking resources.

• Applicants that do not clearly meet the eligibility guidelines, such as state-wide organizations.
• Applications that are written by the consultant.
• Proposals that do not present a clear case for the identified management or governance challenge or the potential for results.
• Proposals that request funding for activities, which appear to be ongoing in nature and should be covered in the operating budget, such as printing of promotional materials or costs associated with the annual audit.
• Proposals that appear to overlap substantially with previously-funded projects for the same organization.
• Large-scale projects where the Fund's grant would be an insignificant portion of the overall effort.
• Projects that do not show evidence of commitment from the Board or executive leadership.
• Projects that engage an independent contractor to perform typical staff functions.

• Management or governance projects that have the wholehearted support of executive staff and Board leaders.

(Back to Policies)

If you have any comments or suggestions about this web site, please e-mail webmaster@nonprofitmanagementfund.org