1. Reviewing Grant Submissions
Welcome and Overview
Denise Battaglini

2. Reviewing Grant Submissions
Agenda
Submission Requirements
Financial Review
Panel Review
Q&A/Wrap-Up

3. “Grant Submission Requirements”
Reviewing Grant Submissions
“Grant Submission Requirements”
Maryjo Thompson

4. Grant Applications Requirements – On the Due Date
Timely delivery to a specified location on the due date
Grant Committee members:
review the preliminary checklist to ensure all required copies and attachments are included and in the prescribed folder
ensure electronic submission of the grant application
confirm two copies of the nonprofit’s financials are included
If any attachments / copies are missing or incomplete, the nonprofit can correct and return that same day or by the required due date, as stated in the grant application.
Grant Application – Reader’s Table
Review and complete the reader’s table checklist
An administrative review vs a comprehensive review
Goal: to ensure each grant is ready for the Grant Panel vetting process

5. Reviewing Grant Submissions
“Financials:
General Requirements”
Lori Lazorik

6. Impact 100 – Financial analyst structure
Lead Financial Analyst
Role:
Determine financial requirements for grant applications
Ensure consistency across financial evaluation of grants
Point of contact for Grants committee
Financial Analyst (FA)
Role: Develop an opinion of the organization’s ability to manage and carry out the grant
Structure: Financial analyst assigned to grant committee.
Skills: Financial analytical skills
Source: CPAs and auditors from community
Partner with Grant committee chair
Direct communication line with “CFO” of Non-profit
Amy

7. Impact 100 – Financial submission
Grant application (Grant committee)
Operating budget (current year) and Project budget
Financial submission (FA only)
Financial Statements (Balance sheet, Profit/Loss)
Form 990 or 990EZ
Auditors report *
If audited statements are not available for most recent fiscal year end, then unaudited statements must be submitted for that fiscal year in addition to the previous two years.
Supplement information required if not audited
Amy

8. Impact 100 – Financial review
Review each application and financial submission
“Working papers” for detailed review of each grant
Establish contact with Non-profit “CFO” to clarify any questions
Participate in grant review meetings
Clarify committee members questions
Offer opinion from a financial perspective
Draft preliminary assessment of “financial rating” and summary
Attend site visits
Review “financial rating” and summary with lead FA and Grant committee
Jane

9. Impact 100 - Lessons learned
Organizational level of 501 (c) 3 versus Grant applicant
Complexities associated with various Fiscal year ends
Most current financial statements independent of audit status
Consistency in analysis across “big” and “small” organizations
Jane

10. Reviewing Grant Submissions
“Training Panel Chairs
and
Panel Members”
Marty Evans

11. Role of a Panel Member
“Good Will Ambassador” for Impact 100 throughout the process, particularly on site visits
Learn about the Organization and the population served by all the grants
Read all the grants carefully, attend all meetings and complete panel tasks
Work with all panel members, ask thoughtful questions and give opinions in a collegial manner
Do not leave false impressions with the organization and do not contact organization until after FSP
Do not share information about grant review process with outsiders, esp. the organization

12. High Impact/Transformational Grants
Transactional
Is a typical grant: help us with our mission!
Is based on organizational needs.
Fills a day-to-day need: think fundraising
Focuses on actions not outcomes
Usually helps the “bottom line” of the organization or the organization’s program (s)
Is based on solving a problem or a community issue
Pursues change. Often takes a risk.
Is visionary and forward looking
Focuses on outcomes: what will be different?
Is innovative for our county
Has the right leadership

13. Reviewing a Grant: A Project May…
Target a subpopulation to solve a problem specific to that subpopulation (not deemed discriminatory)
Include overhead costs IF the nonprofit can show that the costs are specific to the project and would not be incurred if project were not operationalized
Be an existing program IF the project proves to be transformational and not a continuation of an existing program (not keeping the status quo)
Be run by a religious organization IF those served are not exclusive

14. Grant Application: First Reading Form
Name of Organization: _____________________________
1. What problem in the community is being solved by the project within this grant? What support is provided that documents this as a problem?
2. Think about the Organization’s mission and vision.
3. Do you have a clear sense of who and how many will be served by this project? Any restrictions?
4. Do you have a clear sense of how each step in the Project will be accomplished? Are there any potential hurdles and if so, are these addressed?
5. Are goals clearly defined? How will the Organization measure success of the project?
6. Are there any assumptions being made that are related to the execution of this project?
7. Do you have confidence that this Organization can execute and sustain this grant? Why? Why not?
8. What questions remain unanswered and need follow-up at the site visit? Do you have any other concerns?

15. Grant Application: Integrated Review Form
Name of Organization: ___________________________________
1. Did the Organization address all of your panel’s questions/concerns sufficiently?
2. What do you see as the strengths of this grant?
3. Do you have any remaining concerns?
4. What level of excitement about this project did you experience from the Organization?
5. What is your overall assessment of this grant as related to the project’s ability to be transformational and impactful?
6. My assessment of this grant based on information I learned to this point in the process.
_____ I have no reservations.
_____ I have some reservation.
_____ I have significant reservations.

16. Grant Review Process - Timeline
Panel Chair Training December 2016
Annual Meeting – April 19, Finalists selected!
Panel Chair Training Early December 2016
First Panel Meeting January Read grants & complete First Reading Form
Second Panel Meeting Late January Panel chairs and panel members attend site visits, read site visit reports and complete The Integrated Review Form.
Mid - February: Panel Chair review with Karen and Wanda after site visits are completed.
Third Panel Meeting Late February as determined by panel members
End of February, Panel Chairs and Grants Committee help prepare presenters of the semifinalists grants for the Finalist Selection Panel Meeting
Semi-finalists grants are presented to the Finalist Selection Panel

17. Reviewing Grant Submissions
Q&A and Wrap-Up