Key Decisions for Determining Funding Philosophy

The core group of members should set the funding philosophy before beginning broader recruitment.
  • Will you focus on an issue area – and how specific do you want to be? (Programs to support women and children? Education programs for women and children? After-school programs for middle school girls?)
  • Will you keep your focus broad? (Programs to benefit citizens of XYZ County?)
  • Do you want to focus on a particular population? (Children, single mothers, teenage girls)

  • Do you want to support existing programs, or fund the creation of something new?
  • Do you want to fund general operating support for nonprofit organizations, or fund specific projects?
  • Do you want to support the provision of critical direct services or advocacy to bring about system change? 
  • Will you make grants to organizations or to individuals?
  • Will your giving have a geographic focus? (Your local town? Your state? Projects in Africa?)
  • For what length of time will your focus remain? (A different issue each year? Now and forever the same focus?)