Themes from our breakout rooms
These are the major themes that emerged from community members who shared their perspective during the community debrief sessions. The breakout rooms were purposefully not recorded to create a space where people could provide anonymous feedback:
Appreciation for the updated process
- Application process was straightforward
- Enjoyed having a video application option
- Appreciation for the additional support from Community Foundation staff through the grant application process
- Appreciation for intentionally inviting new partnerships, especially for movements or organizations unfamiliar with the Community Foundation
- Overall appreciation in funding new organizations and/or programs in an effort to expand resources throughout the community, versus continuously funding the same established organizations.
Continue refining application process
- Finding a balance between fully funding a project and partial funding, especially given the total amount in grant requests received versus the fund’s grantmaking budget.
- Committee to revisit application guidelines and application questions so grant applicants have a clear understanding of our decision-making process.
- Adding a question to the grant application that allows for grant applicants to address if they could carry out the project if they don’t get funding.
Increase support beyond grant awards
- Grant partners and community organizations shared an interest in a networking event, to learn more about other programs and services that might overlap and/or support what they are doing.
- More educational opportunities regarding how to use the funds most effectively.
- Find ways to uplift stories of grant partners and share them more publicly.
- Applicants poured time and energy into the application process and want more individualized feedback into funding decisions
