In this economic downturn, both grantmakers and grantseekers are being asked to do more with less. Project Streamline (see this for a more complete description), a collaborative initiative of eight organizations, including the Foundation Center, is working to improve grant application and reporting in ways that reduce costs for both grantmakers and grantseekers. To that end, the collaborative has released its Spring 2009 online newsletter. Learn how grantmakers are right-sizing application and reporting requirements. Read a profile of the Arcus Foundation and its streamlining efforts. Consider and discuss ways that grantseekers can support streamlined grantmaking. You can also learn more about Project Streamline, its next phase, and how you can participate.
Click here to explore the newsletter.
Posted by Archana | April 16, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I LOVE this idea - as a grantseeker, it's something that I think should have been addressed long ago. Nonprofits bear a heavy burden when it comes to both applications and evaluation/reporting, and streamlining those things to get at what is really important is crucial. There are still foundations that use forms that require a typewriter!
Posted by Renee Westmoreland | April 22, 2009 at 09:14 PM
So true, Archana. There are some foundations -- maybe, what, two or three hundred? -- out of 80,000 -- that have jumped on the 21st century train with respect to technology, transparency, and accountability, but the rest are hopelessly recondite. It's almost a Marie Antoinette mentality and, well, we know how that ended. Keep writing and pushing. Your voice and opinions are valued.