Traditional Grants Process

  1. Members develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) that describes, in detail, what the circle is interested in supporting. The RFP usually defines a deadline by when the proposals should be submitted.
  2. The RFP is sent out to eligible nonprofit organizations.
    • Broadly: through a public posting
    • Narrowly: such as sending it to 10 after-school programs in the city
  3. On the deadline, proposals fill the circle’s mailbox.
  4. If there are more than a handful of proposals, usually a grants committee conducts an initial review. The committee narrows the proposals down to a number of finalists. Often, circles use proposal review sheets to help them compare proposals.
  5. At this point, some circles conduct site visits, sending a few members out to visit each finalist.
  6. The circle may then hold a grant discussion and voting session. The grants committee makes brief reports and possibly recommendations. After hearing the reports the membership votes. Some circles do this in person. Others vote through the mail or online.