Grant Making in a TG World |
May 25, 2010 |
As you are probably aware, MIF offers matching grants to organizations that attend our training and meet our funding criteria. In addition, we meet with all our grantees to consult with them and train on how they can best raise the required match. As we were reviewing several grant applications this week, it dawned on me that we are practicing what we preach by aiming to transform the ministries we grant to.
MIF does not fund program grants, as we are focused on helping ministries grow their internal capacity to raise more funds and recruit more volunteers through coaching their champions. An MIF matching grant can only be used for activity that will grow champions for the designated cause. That may mean funding a development staff position, purchasing a database that will allow you to adequately track donor activity, or developing a new online giving strategy. But what it doesn’t mean is funding for feeding the homeless or mentoring teens.
The heart of our granting program is actually in HOW the ministry will raise the matching funds. And this is where the transformation begins to occur. Both for the ministry and for the champion.
A good example of this was cited in our grant review, when we were discussing a ministry that wants to expand their already successful annual banquet using a matching grant from MIF. The question was raised about the additional impact of a grant, if the banquet was already at capacity and raising a sizeable sum for the ministry.
Wanting maximum leverage from our grants, it was suggested that the ministry raise the matching grant amount by engaging current and new champions in asking them to give toward an additional matching amount to be combined with the MIF grant to make a more sizeable matching gift to present at the banquet.
This accomplishes three key goals: 1) to double the matching gift amount presented to those at the banquet, 2) the ministry receives training and experience in how to engage new champions as we coach and disciple them in roundtable sessions and 3) the guests at the banquet are encouraged to give to the cause knowing their gift will be matched.
How might you incorporate TG into your grant opportunities? Is collaboration a model you could imitate as you identify new foundation partners? The strength of the transformation is often in relationship with one another and God chooses to work in and through us to fully develop champions for His cause.
