Foundation’s New Community Investment Guidelines Receive Thumbs Up
Nonprofit Community Embraces Foundation Shift from “Funder” to “Investor”
(March 31, 2008) As the needs of communities have evolved and become much more complex in the 21st century, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has recognized a definitive need to assess its role as community steward and, accordingly, make thoughtful funding choices that offer the potential for clear human gain and community-wide impact.
This subtle but significant shift, not in mission but in how the Foundation achieves it, is in full swing as the Foundation, now in its seventh decade, has adopted a new set of results-oriented community investment guidelines designed to keep pace with changing community needs; establish the Foundation as a vibrant, relevant agent for change; and achieve the greatest good for the Foundation’s four service communities of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington.
The modified guidelines, based upon a grant framework designed by the Rensselaerville Institute in New York, a leading consultant to foundations and nonprofits nationwide, were enthusiastically received by a gathering of more than 100 area nonprofit leaders and Foundation grantees at a recent workshop. Hal Williams, President of the Rensselaerville Institute, enlightened and inspired workshop attendees with his vision of results-oriented community investment, an approach that is being adopted by Foundations across the country.
“It was refreshing,” said workshop attendee Vincent Siberon, executive director of ASPIRA, an education and leadership development program targeted to Puerto Rican and Latino youth. “The Foundation’s new focus of investing in organizations to improve the lives of people in the Greater New Britain area says to me that it is committed to changing the odds for success for those most in need.”
The new community investment guidelines will improve process and benefit grantees by helping them clearly define goals and objectives of a given project or program requiring funding, and better understand how programs and services can best match the Foundation’s funding priorities. The process is also designed to help the Foundation more effectively assess funding requests.
Prospective grantees are now required to submit a “letter of intent” prior to preparing a formal application. The letter of intent must succinctly (two pages or less) summarize the program or project for which funding is being sought. Those who submit letters of intent deemed by the Foundation to meet its eligibility criteria will be invited to make a full application for funding.
All submissions will be evaluated by the Foundation with respect to available dollars and alignment with three key questions:
• What will be the result from the proposed grant and how will it be known that it has been achieved?
• What are the chances that the results will happen?
• Is this the best possible use of Foundation funds given other opportunities?
Community Foundation President Jim Williamson said that the modified guidelines represent a refinement that will benefit the entire community.
“The Foundation remains committed to the same wide range of community interests and causes it has always been committed to, including arts, culture and heritage; community and economic development; education; health and human services; and more,” he said. “This evolution is about being the best we can be at what we do.”
Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain annually distributes upwards of $1 million annually in grants and scholarships. The Foundation seeks to connect donors who care with causes that matter in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. For more information on the Foundation, please call (860) 229-6018 or visit www.cfgnb.org.
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