NC Community Foundation’s affiliate grants program goes online

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Community Foundation has introduced an online process for the community grant-making cycle. The move will simplify the far-reaching grants program conducted by NCCF affiliate foundation partners across the state. Last year affiliates made 350 awards totaling nearly $500,000.

The resource savings for grant applicants, review committees and NCCF staff will be significant, according to Sarah Taylor, NCCF program associate. “We’re extremely excited about the new online system, which will save both time and money for nonprofits and review committees,” she said. “Online grants also will allow us to be better stewards of our resources and the environment.”

Good Done Great was selected as the technology partner for this project. The company’s online application system has received excellent reviews, Taylor said. Foundations and nonprofits report that the process is easy, logical and intuitive.

One of NCCF’s primary roles is to help build capacity, according to CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside. “The time and money saved throughout this new process will allow nonprofits to focus on mission-critical work and affiliates to better serve community needs,” she said

The new system also has implications for future grant-making cycles. Nonprofits will be able to save information throughout the 2011 application process and store it for future applications. The review process will be strengthened and streamlined.

Affiliate grants committees will have online access to submitted applications, allowing more time to review proposals and select programs with the most potential and impact for their local communities, Taylor said. Reviewers will have access to new tools for easy collaboration and communication throughout the process.

NCCF staff will guide and support applicants and advisory boards throughout the entire grants process. Regularly scheduled workshops for grant seekers will include information about using the new system and training sessions for review committees. Instructions, FAQs and an online training video to guide applicants and reviewers will be available on the NCCF website, www.nccommunityfoundation.org. NCCF staff will be available to help answer questions and to provide guidance.

NCCF is among several community foundations moving to an online grants application process, according to Tolle Whiteside.

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