148 survey respondents
Location: 1250 Hancock St Ste 701n, Quincy, 02169 MA
EIN: 04-2755323
99%
1%
8 hours
Median
94%
6%
93%
7%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Initially, I was a little surprised by the responsiveness of the funder. In a couple of phone conversations, I found them to be open to listening to who we were and they encouraging. Their grant application process was easy to navigate and much less stressful on our organization to apply than most grants.
Responsive
Connecticut
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
We have just discovered this funder and are unable to provide any feedback on this area at this time.
We have just discovered this funder and are unable to provide any feedback on this area at this time.
We have just discovered this funder and are unable to provide any feedback on this area at this time.
We have just discovered this funder and are unable to provide any feedback on this area at this time.
More than 15
Reviewer 7606 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Plan ahead and collaboratively for the open ended approach of Nellie Mae's new method. It's definitely a lot more approachable as you get used to it, but at first it can be hard to think of best approaches if you are used to the common approach of "fill in box" and specific questions approach of most funders. And by collaboratively I mean stakeholders, board members and populations you serve, their input and vision can be very helpful.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Rhode Island
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
Very. Even before this approach Nellie Mae has always been open and available.
Good
Very well,my fear with this is there has been some seed money in a coalition of local orgs working together, and if they aren't funded equitably through this same funder, it could create imbalances of not only approach but involvement.
This is a great first step, but also consider an approach that is less about "tell me why we should fund you" and more "how can we fund you"; remove the power imbalance in philanthropy!
approach them with your questions, it won't negatively impact your chances. They welcome it, and will work with you.
Communicates! We've always been able to get a welcoming and quick response and they are always open to processing our questions.
5
Reviewer 4280 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
They should know to review the guidelines of the grant and what the grant is willing to fund.
They should know to have one to two people ready to review their grant after it is "completed".
Risk taker, Responsive
Rhode Island
Grant currently pending
Other
2020
Good
I emailed a staff member and they emailed me right back. They were really responsive.
Continue to create trust based grants that give organizations financial freedom to support their organization.
N/A
I believe the funder will be able to support organizations impact by creating a grant that is for operational needs without the many restrictions that a lot of grants have in place.
N/A
They were really responsive.
8
Reviewer 9857 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Ask lots of questions and get to know the funder. They are human. This funder seems to want to be more responsive. Take them at their word about wanting to support nonprofits doing important work in communities of need.
Connecticut
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
I had an issue trying to upload. The contact was in a meeting but called me back and sent an email. That demonstrated a keen customer focus. Grant funding is stressful enough and so having access to the funder is important I think.
Average
I have been watching this funder since we are about college access and educational attainment. There has been some shift over the years in terms of focus, which is good because it shows that the organization is reflecting on its practice. What is less clear is what goes into going one direction or another. The most current grant we decided to apply to appealed to us for many reasons. Funding an organization led by a person of color, I mean that is a WOW, caught my attention grant process. The philanthropic world is not one that has traditionally invested in leaders of color leading organizations that serve communities of color. Seeing a RFP grant process with this title gives me hope that at least this funder is breaking out of the traditional ways of determining who to fund. That is refreshing!
Ask organizations what their challenges are and how best should a philanthropic organization support grantees.
Well, I think going out to communities on listening tours, sort of a conversation and exchange, more of a two-way street. This could be useful to the funder and potential grantees.
Keeps trying and challenging itself to get better around mission to make things happen.
5
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
I suggest speaking to an organization that has received funding from Nellie Mae in the past to get a sense of who they are as a funding organization.
New York
Grant currently pending
2020
Average
Good
10
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
The process is welcoming and straightforward. It’s helpful to talk to a program officer.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Massachusetts
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
I don’t know.
Is sensitive to needs of grassroots organizations.
40
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
It is refreshing that Nellie Mae states that they are trying to simplify the application process, and want us to submit materials we have prepared for other grant applications. In this case, we had not applied for this type of grant before so needed to prepare a narrative specific to this grant.
Risk taker, Culturally sensitive
Massachusetts
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
We requested a phone conference, and were able to schedule one within a few days. They were very receptive and helpful.
Average
Unknown at this point; this is a new funding stream, and first time we applied to this funder.
Easy to communicate with
Simplifies the grant application process by allowing grantee to create the narrative, rather than having to respond to numerous and duplicative questions with a tight word count.
25
Reviewer 4167 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation encourages prospective applicants to reach out with any questions regarding the grant opportunity or the application process. We did, and they were very informative, helpful, and receptive to our thoughts/questions. I recommend you schedule a meeting.
Massachusetts
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
Very accessible. They responded very promptly when we requested a call to discuss the grant opportunity. In addition, they aided us really quickly when we had a technical question related to their platform.
Good
20
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Participate in any opportunities to gather information including webinars and phone meetings. Make sure to prepare throughful questions in advance.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive
Rhode Island
Applied and not funded
2020
Good
NMEF staff were highly responsive and helpful.
Good
NMEF has been particularly intentional about developing its funding priorities and engaging with community members for feedback.
8
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
I suggest that you read the pdf of the RFP very carefully. Once I started writing the grant, I read the RFP again and got very good clarification on my questions, just by learning the Nellie Mae mission points.
Culturally sensitive
Rhode Island
Grant currently pending
2020
Good
Average
I am unsure as of yet. I need to learn more
cannot think of anything
RFP
7
