The STRENGTH Grant Process:

An Engaged, Venture Philanthropic Model

As an engaged, venture philanthropic partnership, SV2 seeks to develop a multiyear, productive relationship between our Partners and our grantees. Our signature STRENGTH Grant Program is marked by the active involvement of the Partners, the applicants and the ultimate grantee from beginning to end. The result is a grantmaking process that is uniquely designed to foster connections and to ensure a match between SV2’s engaged Partners and our innovative, growing investees.

Timeline:

  • January: Partners learn about grantmaking in the chosen focus area, current funding activity, and potential leverage points.  A grant committee is formed.  The committee begins research to explore high-impact opportunities.  
  • February: The committee shares the research, and determines guidelines for the grant round.  The partnership and Community Foundation program staff is invited to nominate nonprofits working within the focus area.
  • March: The grant committee conducts high-level research on nominated organizations, making calls to the organizations to determine fit with the SV2 capacity building model and with the grant guidelines.  The list of potential grantees is narrowed from this research, and the grant committee conducts site visits to remaining organizations to determine from whom to request a proposal. 
  • April: Proposals are solicited from a few organizations.  Partners on the grant subcommittee read all proposals and narrow down the applicants to three finalists.  
  • May: The three finalists present at a meeting of all the Partners.  The grant award meeting is held to discuss the finalists and to vote on one STRENGTH grant recipient from amongst the three finalists.
  • September: The newest STRENGTH grant winner is featured at our Annual Meeting at the Cantor Arts Center. Other active STRENGTH grantees are also invited to attend and give updates on their progress.
Responsibilities of Voting Partners:

In order to vote for the STRENGTH Grant winner, an SV2 Partner is expected to:

  • Read proposals posted online
  • Attend or view a video of the Finalists’ Presentations
  • Read Site Visit Reports posted online
  • Attend the grant award meeting (no proxy voting)