1 survey respondents
Location: Po Box 507, South Haven, 49090 MI
EIN: 20-3841038
0%
100%
12 hours
Median
50%
50%
50%
50%
2017 Deadlines:
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Reviewer 3680 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
The foundation wants to fund new projects, not as interested in sustaining anything. They gave us 1/3 of the request for an ongoing project, 1/2 for a second annual event and 100% for a one time project in the schools. I have been asked to defend the grant before funding once and I found they hadn't gone beyond the narrative to find out more about the subject so I have tried to be more thorough and persuasive in the narrative. Finally, they are not very good at communications and getting the actual check to us. Overall, its a lot of work for not a lot of money and I find it really frustrating to work with them, but what choice does a small, grass-roots org have in a small, rural area not served by the bigger corporate donors 30-60 miles away?
Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Bureaucratic
Michigan
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Average
Average
The Community Foundations goals are to support new projects. I think they think that is enough support to make things happen, but at some point the organizations themselves need to be supported in order to be able to focus on creating these projects. I think that supporting ongoing programs, even general operating funds is really important and it is disappointing that it isn't deemed flashy enough or something. I have heard of other community foundations actually wanting to help their local organizations - even a situation where they saw the need to give more so that an organization could do more outreach and have a successful program. I wish that was the attitude of this foundation, rather than making us work harder to make up the funds they decide to not give us. I don't feel like I can say anything directly to them without putting our future endeavors in jeopardy. Its a small town.
Stop squeezing - we're already as trim as we can possibly be! Ask us if we need help, ask for feedback. Add back the fall cycle - once a year is too infrequent for our organization that carries out many projects and programs per year.
Their website is pretty good.
10 to 15 hours
