When your organization submits a grant proposal for consideration, the Selby Foundation will enjoy meeting with your nonprofit’s team on site to talk about the request and learn more about your work. This includes understanding how our potential investment would help create even more gains for those you serve. We also love to answer your questions and to determine if there are other ways we can support you.
Here are some questions you might have about our site visits.
How long should you plan for us to visit?
In most cases, we plan for one hour with you. We know your team is busy and has work to do!
Who should attend?
In addition to your chief executive and a board member, consider whether others should be invited. For example, if you have an exceptional situation with financials, you may want to invite the CFO or Board Treasurer. If a new program has been started that will benefit from the capital grant, you may wish to have the programmatic leader present. We don’t need your entire operation there, but it helps to have access to those who know the most about your grant and related information.
How can you host a great site visit?
Every site visit is different. We appreciate that each organization’s mission and capacity provide various types of experiences.These six tips may be beneficial to you as you prepare.
- Re-read the grant application you submitted on behalf of your organization so the details are fresh in your mind.
- Be familiar with your nonprofit’s Giving Partner profile.
- We will want to talk about gains–specific results your organization helps to make for and with those it serves.
- Know the preferred bids and the contractors or vendors you have selected as ideal for project. Why are they optimal choices?
- The board member present should be familiar with the real work of this particular board, ready to share its role in advancing the work of the organization and in supporting the CEO.
- Be able to answer questions about trends in your financial statements, including details about your net assets, net revenue, expense allocations (if unusual), endowed or reserve funds, and more.
We like to see business as usual–“a day in the life of” your organization. Being a good host means that you are available to talk about your important work. We do not want special treats, snacks or giveaway items.
The Selby Foundation always learns something new during site visits, feeling appreciative for the challenges and opportunities local nonprofits face in their important work.
Thank you for welcoming us!