Grant Application Survey 2007

Summary of letters to and responses from grant applicants after each of the Board Meetings in FYE 2007

Dear Grant Applicant:
As a recent applicant for a grant from the Edyth 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 the 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 have been a previous recipient of Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation funds

   • We have known about the Foundation for many years, have applied before but never funded, and have known other grantees

   • Prior Executive Director

   • Another non-profit

   • Professional colleagues

   • From peers

   • Conducted research of Foundations giving to nonprofits in Central Florida.

   • Philanthropy Center/David Odahowski

   • Library

   • Mary Gretchen Belloff

   • Colleagues of other arts organizations

   • Meeting with foundation staff

   • Another nonprofit executive

   • Board Member

   • David Odahowski

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

   • [12] Letter

   • [13] Telephone

   • [9] Visit to the Foundation’s office

   • [11] Staff visit to your organization

   • [10] e-mail

   • [0] Other (please explain):

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

   • [12] More than Adequate

   • [2] Adequate

   • [0] Little

   • [1] None

4. Were the Foundation's printed guidelines helpful?

   • [15] Yes

   • [0] No

   • What other information should the guidelines include?

     • Nothing - they are very thorough

     • During the process a significant amount of additional information was requested that was not outlined in the written guidelines – some of it was specific to the nature of the proposal submitted, but not by any means all. Certainly some of the due diligence documentation requested could have been included on the website as a necessary attachment to a proposal

5. What other information should the guidelines include?

   • Nothing - they are very thorough

   • During the process a significant amount of additional information was requested that was not outlined in the written guidelines – some of it was specific to the nature of the proposal submitted, but not by any means all. Certainly some of the due diligence documentation requested could have been included on the website as a necessary attachment to a proposal

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

   • 4 weeks

   • approximately 12 weeks from initial submission of our proposal

   • 8 weeks

   • 3 weeks

   • About 4 weeks

   • Around 4 weeks

   • 5 weeks

   • Approximately 6 weeks

   • Less than 1 month

   • Between 1 and 2 months

   • Approximately 5 weeks

   • About 6 weeks

   • 5 weeks

   • About 6 or 7 weeks

   • More than 2 months

7. Did you receive a grant from the Foundation?

   • [13] Yes

   • [2] No

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

   • I believe the Foundation does a wonderful job at both providing fiscal assistance and other support and guidance for non-profits in our community

   • The only thing I would suggest is to combine the pre-grant meeting at the Foundation office and the site visit into just one meeting at the potential grantee's location

   • I do not have enough information to respond to this question

   • Work with the non-profits to identify mutually agreeable projects

   • Appears to be a prudent process as it presently exists

   • I very much like the grant making process at the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. I apply to many Foundations and there are several things that stand out. The site visit is a great opportunity learn more about the process and to put your best foot forward. I also like the format of the grant application process. It allows for flexibility but also has the needed structure to ensure the essential components are included. The staff are also some of the most positive, encouraging, and supportive foundation staff I have ever come in contact with. They actually treat you like it’s a privilege to learn more about you

   • The Foundation is a key asset for this community and is well known for its quality grants

   • Give the grant requesting organization a five minute window to make a pitch to the Foundation’s Board of Directors

   • It has been wonderful over they years

   • I believe the process developed by the Foundation staff is thorough, clear, and logical; there is very little “jumping through unnecessary hoops” involved. BRAVO!

   • Staff & lay volunteers do a great job

   • I cannot think of any necessary improvements at this time

   • I am not sure if you mean as a board member in a leadership role determining the mission, direction, and policies of the foundation, or as the paid CEO. My answer would very much depend on that definition of “ran”