Grant Application Survey 2004

Summary of letters to and responses from grant applicants after each of the four Board Meetings in 2004: 11 out of 25 (44%) responded.

Dear Grant Applicant:
As a recent applicant for a grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation Bush Charitable Foundation, your observations would be valuable to us as we try to improve the quality of the grant making process. We would very much appreciate if you would comment on the following questions. Your response will be forwarded directly to H. Clifford Lee, Chairman of the Board of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, and will remain confidential. Only a summary of all responses will be shared with the Foundation's Board and Staff.

1. From whom did you first learn that the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation was a possible source of funds for your organization?

   • We received earlier grant funding

   • Another non-profit

   • Aware of foundation for many years

   • From networking in the community and a previous grant award

   • Board Vice Chairman Mary Gretchen Belloff

   • Community leaders

   • Our Development Director, Michael Slaymaker

   • Former grantee

   • Tedder, James, Worden & Associates

   • Mr. Pete Wahl

   • Our Grant Writer

2. Communications with the Foundation staff during this most recent grant review have been by (please check all that apply):

   • [10] Letter

   • [10] Telephone

   • [6] Visit to the Foundation's office

   • [8] Staff visit to your organization

   • [2] e-mail

   • [1] Other (please explain):

   • The grantee confirmation meeting was extremely helpful

3. Please indicate on the following scale the extent of information and assistance you received from the Foundation during the review process:

   • [7] More than Adequate

   • [1] Adequate

   • [2] Little

   • [0] None

4. Were the Foundation's printed guidelines helpful?

   • [10] Yes

   • [0] No

   • What other information should the guidelines include?

     • n/a – very clear and concise

     • I feel the guidelines are comprehensive as they stand.

5. How many weeks did it take before you received a determination on your grant request?

   • Very expeditious

   • 33 weeks: original request date 7/23/03 tabled, deferred at November meeting. Revision filed 2/20/04 was approved 3/12/04

   • Approximately 20 weeks

   • No determination yet

   • Approximately 6 weeks

   • 8 weeks after site visit

   • 12 weeks

   • 1/22/04 request to apply, 3/26/04 grant mailed, 4/22/04 respond to inquire for additional info, 6/29/04 field review, Sept. (early) decline received

   • Approximately 20 weeks

   • Six or seven

6. Did you receive a grant from the Foundation?

   • [6] Yes

   • [3] No

   • No notification yet. Have received 1 previous grant {note: survey & grant letter probably crossed in the mail. The responding organization did receive a grant}

7. If you ran the Foundation, what would you do to improve the quality of its grant making process?

   • We continue to learn from the Foundation in operation, management, service delivery, and accountability of an agency. We’re grateful.

   • It’s always a positive experience working with this foundation.

   • If I ran the Foundation I would be so proud of the organization’s reputation in the community as stewards for the well-being of our community, as experts in the philanthropic field that non-profit agencies feel comfortable “chatting” with about programmatic or fundraising issues, and as highly approachable staff members who truly are committed to our community.

   • I appreciate the thoroughness in which Edyth Bush reviews potential grantee program proposals. I would clone Deborah Hessler, she is wonderful to work with.

   • Foundation has been very responsive in the past.

   • Nothing – In my experience the EBCF is the benchmark for a consistent, clear, professional and open grant process. Thanks to the staff and leadership for their dedication to the community!

   • Clearer on current focus of foundation.

   • This organization has an excellent reputation in the community and I’m not sure what could be done improve the grant making process. Thank you for taking the time to review our request. We appreciate your consideration!

   • To date, all interactions with the Foundation have been positive and professional. I really can’t think of any way to improve the quality of the grant making process.

   • You’re doing an incredible job.