We hear this from grantseekers ALL the time! They’re in the middle of filling out our grant application and they’re stumped. The section they’re referring to is the part of our application entitled, “The Difference You Will Make.” For short, ‘the results section.’
This section IS difficult! So, let’s break it down.
Through this set of questions we want to understand something very important. That is, if we make the grant that you’ve proposed: What will change? How much will it change? How will you know whether or not anything actually happened?
Let’s say that you’re a community center that’s proposing an after school program. Your result might be expressed like this: Increase by 50 (from 75 to 125) the number of 6th-8th graders who will state: “I am not home alone after school anymore,” and “I feel like my community cares about me.”
If you’re a parenting organization that’s proposing to build its capacity through updated technology, your statement might read: Decrease staff paperwork time per employee by 2 hours per week; measured by employee time logs. The time saved will be spent serving 20 additional parents over the next year.
Maybe your organization is going to build or remodel. Here’s a sample result from a youth center that’s proposing to put in new windows: Decrease heating and cooling bills by $2,400; measured by a comparison of last year’s and next year’s utility bills.
Bringing in a consultant to help solve problems (we call them Nonprofit Toolbelt Grants) might read something like this: Increase the revenue from our annual fund from $52,000 to $75,000; measured by the net proceeds of our annual fund drive.
And what if your organization’s revenue doesn’t meet expenses? A result might sound like this: Decrease the gap between our revenue and expenses by $20,000, from $37,000 down to $17,000 by 12/31/18; measured by our 12/31/18 financial statements.
Grantees tell us that one of the best things that we do as a funder is hold them accountable for the grants they receive. That’s why we work so hard to help you think about the changes that are desired and what needs to happen so that those things come about. If project results aren’t completely met, it doesn’t mean that we’ll never make another grant to your organization. What we do expect though, is a thought process of continuous improvement.
That thought process is summed up in one of our favorite phrases: SUCCESS = What you accomplished + What you learned!
Let’s keep working together on that section that makes you crazy!
Better than the lottery!
/32 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithDekko Foundation Grants–Three things you should know
Call us to discuss an idea: 260-347-1278
Right in the sweet spot!
/6 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithThat’s where these proposals hit us!
Grantseeker, Betsy Pitchford, asked for a post about outstanding recent grants. There are so many, it’s hard to choose. Here goes.
We’d like you to notice, that in each of these grant arrangements, there’s an adult who’s stepped back to think about what children need to grow and develop. Our investments are really in these adults and their thought process!
Mmmmmm…bacon!
/47 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithBaaaaaacon!
According to comedian, Jim Gaffigan, bacon is SO good you can wrap it around other foods (like brussels sprouts or kale) to make THEM taste better.
At the Dekko Foundation, we think knowledge of child/youth development is a little bit like bacon. Knowing how children and young people develop is good on its own. But when you wrap that know-how around early childhood education, a classroom or a youth group those experiences get better too! Here’s how:
If you want to know more about our beliefs on what children and young people need to thrive, visit our website and click through our pages on what children need. We think you’ll find it to be some sizzling-good information!
Mr. Dekko-isms
/32 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithMr. Chester E. Dekko
Sometimes we come across something that just has to be shared! The title of this document was “Mr. Dekko-isms.” We’re sharing it without any edits at all!
Mr. Dekko on priorities: “Concentration of effort is the key to human accomplishment.”
Mr. Dekko on the essential ingredients of success: “Talent–hopefully supplemented by hard work, and a little bit of luck. I don’t’ think you can get along without a bit of all three.”
Mr. Dekko’s favorite saying: “There is no finish line.” –Nike ad
On Mr. Dekko’s gravestone: “Only the educated are free.” –Epictitus
I was doing great until…
/11 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Sharon SmithWe hear this from grantseekers ALL the time! They’re in the middle of filling out our grant application and they’re stumped. The section they’re referring to is the part of our application entitled, “The Difference You Will Make.” For short, ‘the results section.’
This section IS difficult! So, let’s break it down.
Through this set of questions we want to understand something very important. That is, if we make the grant that you’ve proposed: What will change? How much will it change? How will you know whether or not anything actually happened?
Let’s say that you’re a community center that’s proposing an after school program. Your result might be expressed like this: Increase by 50 (from 75 to 125) the number of 6th-8th graders who will state: “I am not home alone after school anymore,” and “I feel like my community cares about me.”
If you’re a parenting organization that’s proposing to build its capacity through updated technology, your statement might read: Decrease staff paperwork time per employee by 2 hours per week; measured by employee time logs. The time saved will be spent serving 20 additional parents over the next year.
Maybe your organization is going to build or remodel. Here’s a sample result from a youth center that’s proposing to put in new windows: Decrease heating and cooling bills by $2,400; measured by a comparison of last year’s and next year’s utility bills.
Bringing in a consultant to help solve problems (we call them Nonprofit Toolbelt Grants) might read something like this: Increase the revenue from our annual fund from $52,000 to $75,000; measured by the net proceeds of our annual fund drive.
And what if your organization’s revenue doesn’t meet expenses? A result might sound like this: Decrease the gap between our revenue and expenses by $20,000, from $37,000 down to $17,000 by 12/31/18; measured by our 12/31/18 financial statements.
Grantees tell us that one of the best things that we do as a funder is hold them accountable for the grants they receive. That’s why we work so hard to help you think about the changes that are desired and what needs to happen so that those things come about. If project results aren’t completely met, it doesn’t mean that we’ll never make another grant to your organization. What we do expect though, is a thought process of continuous improvement.
That thought process is summed up in one of our favorite phrases: SUCCESS = What you accomplished + What you learned!
Let’s keep working together on that section that makes you crazy!