Grant Selection Criteria /Evaluation and Monitoring

Grant Selection Criteria

The Foundation first considers the following three criteria in its review of grant proposals:

• Fit with Foundation Goals and Priorities

How does the proposed effort contribute to the Foundation's strategic goals and regional priorities?

• Project Demand and Local Support

In what way does the proposed project respond to demands and needs that exist locally? What degree of local support and commitment does the project have the potential to garner?

• Sustainability

To what extent is the effort locally sustainable, both financially and operationally? Will the proposed project result in sustainable and positive changes that continue over time?

If the proposal satisfactorily meets the above criteria, the Foundation then applies the following considerations:

• Implementation Plan

Is the strategy for achieving the goals of the initiative well-developed and realistic? What barriers or risks might impede achievement of the stated goals? What steps will be taken to mitigate these risks? What external conditions are necessary for the project to succeed?

• Cost-Effectiveness

To what extent is the proposed effort cost-effective? Is this the most cost-effective approach to achieve the project goals?

• Qualifications

To what extent do participating individuals and organizations have the experience and qualifications needed to implement the project successfully and to manage grant funds?

• Outcomes

What significant changes will the initiative produce among its beneficiaries? Has a realistic plan been developed to measure and report on these effects? What steps will be taken to incorporate these results into future decision-making?

• Leveraging

To what extent does the effort leverage other resources, including contributions from other donors, project revenue, and grantee in-kind contributions?

• Synergy

To what extent does the proposal complement or build upon other initiatives in the region, including those supported by the Columbus Medical Association Foundation?

The Foundation is unable to support projects that do not contribute significantly to the Foundation’s goals or that fail to meet the above-stated criteria. Moreover, the Foundation does not ordinarily support scholarships; short-term training programs lacking follow-up; or academic research without a strong connection to governmental policy. The Foundation cannot provide funding to political parties or movements, nor can it support activities of a religious nature.

Evaluation and Monitoring

The Columbus Medical Association Foundation is accountable to its physician members, donors and the community for ensuring appropriate use of funds and achievement of programmatic results. The Foundation requires similar accountability from its grantees.

• Grantee Reporting

The Foundation requires all grantees to submit periodic narrative and financial reports documenting program progress and expenditures under the grant. The frequency and content of the reports are tailored to the specific nature of each grant and are stipulated in agreements between the Foundation and its grantees.

• Monitoring
  In addition to reviewing grantee narrative and financial reports, staff and representatives of the Foundation may periodically conduct site visits and attend events sponsored by grantees. Where possible, Foundation staff work cooperatively with grantees to resolve problems with grant implementation and improve program management.

• Evaluation
  The Foundation emphasizes the use of evaluation to measure program outcomes, to promote learning from experience, and to improve program performance. The Foundation encourages its grantees to build effective self-evaluation plans into their projects, with a particular emphasis on outcome evaluation. In addition, the Foundation periodically conducts its own evaluations of individual grants or grant clusters using Foundation staff or outside experts. Believing that evaluation is most useful when used to inform future decisions, the Foundation strives to make evaluation results available to grantees and other practitioners as appropriate.

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