Grants

Site Visits and Follow-ups

The Foundation does not generally award grants without first gaining a deeper understanding of the project and the organization behind it. Traditionally, this has been done through an in-person site visit—but we know that schedules and circumstances don’t always allow for that.

In lieu of an in-person site visit, the Grants Committee may instead choose to follow-up with the applicants by scheduling a Zoom meeting to discuss the proposed project or, in some cases, may simply submit questions via email for your response. We’ll let you know which option works best based on your application and timeline.

If a site visit is scheduled, here’s how to make the most of it:

Find the Right Time

Help us get a real sense of your work by scheduling the visit during an active time for your programs.

For example, if you run an after-school program, late afternoon—when students are on-site—might be ideal.

Be Familiar With the Proposal

Make sure everyone representing your organization during the visit has read the grant proposal and understands the request. Our Program Officer will likely ask questions based on your narrative and supporting materials.

Choose the Right Representatives

The Foundation typically sends a small group to attend a site visit—usually our Program Officer, a Board member, and a member of the Grants Committee.

We recommend including:

• Staff or volunteers most familiar with the project

• Leadership who can speak to the organization’s mission, finances, and long-term goals

• Anyone directly involved in implementing the proposed work

Follow Up Promptly

At the end of the visit (or Zoom meeting), we’ll confirm if we need any additional information. Please follow up on these items within a day or two to help keep the review process moving forward.