Regionally Centralized Online Grant Application & Reporting Model
This project also has a Changeshop where you can read more about its latest progress.
Go to Changeshop: Regionally Centralized Online Grant Application & Reporting Model.
The development of an online grant application & reporting structure with a centralized database, accessible to all internal key grants staff - and beyond.
About You
About You
First Name
Ryan
Last Name
Watmough
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Golden Community Resources Society
Organization Website
Organization Country
Canada, BC, Golden
Country where this solution is creating social impact
Canada, BC
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Rockies, Columbia Basin.
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long have you been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
With many small granting programs available in our community, and the requirement to make separate applications for each, a lot of time (both volunteer and paid) can be spent on researching and applying to multiple funders for one project. On the other side, funders' staff and volunteers spend time and money devising documents, advertising for applications, sorting, adjudicating and replying to applicants. With requirements for "matching funds" or "funding partners" this work is doubled or tripled and takes resources away from fulfilling their missions and addressing real community needs.
Applicants are ready for online applications and technology is available to go further, so it's time that all community funders/supporters work to ensure that this process can be made efficient.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
For a regional supporter to sponsor the development of an online application and reporting structure with a centralized database, accessible to all internal key granting staff. Depending on the type of funding program or amount requested, the applicant could ‘check’ separate boxes if they wish to be considered for multiple programs. In the instance of a larger grant, more questions could ‘pop-up’ or be revealed as needed.
At the conclusion of the project, an online reporting template would be standardized and could become more sophisticated depending on amount granted.
Later, this database of applications could be made searchable by region for other local funders. (Eg. If an application from Golden is made to CBT, the applicant can also check a box to allow this application to be available to other Golden-based funders, which would eliminate the need for those other funders to have a separate call for applications. Adjudication could still be done independently or collectively.)
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
Non profit groups spend an exorbitant amount of time and resources making applications to many funding organizations or even just to many programs within one funding organization. This archaic process wastes time of the applicant and the funder as they review multiple applications for each project.
The model entains having a regional funder/supporter (like a public trust or foundation) to support the development of an online application and reporting structure with a centralized database, accessible to all internal community liaisons, grant program managers and other key granting staff. Depending on the type of funding program or amount requested, the applicant could ‘check’ separate boxes if they wish to be considered for multiple programs. In the instance of a larger grant, more questions could ‘pop-up’or be revealed as needed.
At the conclusion of the project, an online reporting template would be standardized. And again, with a robust platform, the reporting process could become more sophisticated depending on amount granted. This standardization will also facilitate knowledge sharing among project proponents, funders and communities in the region.
Later, this database of applications could be made accessible/searchable by region for other local funders. (Eg. If an application from a Golden-based organization, or for a project in the Golden area, is made to CBT, the applicant can also check a box to allow this application to be available to other Golden-based funders, which would eliminate the need for those other funders to have a separate call for applications.)
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
In Golden, 14 different funding programs make 41 small grants/yr – none with particularly measureable criteria or measures of success.
CBT has ~15 different programs with ~15 different applications and intake procedures.
www.FundersTable.com (now closed) allowed applicants to post their project ideas online and funders to post their funding opportunities; to help foundations that were dealing with large volumes of applications. Users liked the functionality, but wanted a closed system (enterprise software), which was missing a significant partner/funder.
BC Ideas and www.AvivaCommunityFund.org allow the public to vote for their favourites.
RDEK’s CIP/AAP intake allows groups to select RD areas where funding is requested from.
SmartSimple's grant mgmt. software may be robust enough.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Social Impact
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
A couple months ago, Neil Muth of CBT told me to "step on toes" and "challenge."
I took that as an opportunity to expand on my Community Grant Continuum finding and look at solutions to the funding gaps and overlap in our small community. Summarizing the existing alternatives made me realize that there is a next logical step to solving this issue and increasing the efficiency of non profits.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
We're trying to make limited (and shrinking) non profit resources - both staff, volunteers and dollars - go further toward addressing the organizations' missions and improving the quality of life in communities.
WIth a thorough understanding of a community's and region's Grant Support Continuum, the next generation of grant management software can be developed to do more than just distribute funds, but rather, to solve problems, address community needs and issues efficiently, in perpetual cycle of continuous improvement.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
The non profit efficiency exploration in Golden & Area A has caught the ear of non profits near and afar. Change needs to come from the bottom up, but it will only happen if those distributing the resources support and encourage efficiencies.
With a rough draft Community Grant Continuum in hand, leaders in the Golden & District Community Foundation have made granting more strategic than ever, while ensuring that administration is done efficiently. Other local funders have begun to follow, but real progress will be made when the largest regional funder takes the lead and provides resources to other community and regional-level supporters.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
The non profit efficiency exploration will likely be expanding and morphing for the foreseeable future. It's hoped that the Regionally Centralized Online Grant Application & Reporting Model can be developed (likely from existing leading grant management software) sooner than later so that the local non profit sector can become more efficient and better utilize their limited resources.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Regionally Centralized Online Grant Application & Reporting Model Project Plan is approved.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
1. Win BC Ideas award, Initiate Project, assemble a project team and stakeholders.
Task 2
Develop and have key stakeholders approve a Scope Statement and objectives.
Task 3
3. Develop Project Management Plan, Work Breakdown Structure, and other key project docs.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Role out pilot platform for one community.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
1. Consult and integrate knowledge from regional funder, local funders and local non profit applicants.
Task 2
2. Ensure technical team understand requirements and builds a flexible online platform.
Task 3
3. Test Regionally Centralized Online Grant Application & Reporting Model with Key User Group.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Golden Community Resources Society (GCRS) is an umbrella organizations for ~30 non profit programs in Golden & Area A. Ryan Watmough, Executive Director of the Golden & District Community Foundation is also a consultant with GCRS for the non profit efficiency exploration project and contract program manager for the Town of Golden's CBT CIP/AAP. Collectively, we see in Golden & Area A the challenges that face funders, recipients, staff, politicians and volunteers in the current project funding process.
Phillip Lee, founder of Funderstable.com, is ready to assist with another reincarnation.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
No other areas are being targeted to date. However, if another fit presents itself (with a large community foundation) it will be pursued.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
A dedicated group with clear goals and a holistic view of 1) communities, 2) non profit organizations and 3) projects that make them better will help ensure success.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
We need the commitment from a large key regional funder to ensure internal adoption of this new, yet-to-be-developed online platform. From there we can work with them, other funders and non profits to realize the ideals and efficiencies we all hope to achieve. The project management group will likely be able to support other communities and organizations outside the physical area.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| goldenloom.ca-homepage.jpg | 527.55 KB |
