FAQs

Q: What factors are considered in determining the appropriate level of support offered to a grantee for a management improvement project?

A: The most important factor is the quality of your request: Does your request describe an important opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of your organization? The amount of support provided depends primarily on what it will realistically take to accomplish the objectives of the project. However, we also consider the overall size of your organization’s budget as well as the extent of any support previously provided by The Forbes Funds (if applicable).

Q: Our organization has many issues that we want to tackle at once. Can we apply for a grant to work on several management projects simultaneously?

A: Although we sometimes make grants for projects with multiple objectives, we have learned that complex projects can easily become unwieldy and that the advice of multiple consultants (or of one consultant on multiple issues at the same time) can be confusing rather than clarifying. We will therefore often encourage the development of requests with only one or two components that focus on addressing your organization’s highest priority needs as you see them. If you need help in prioritizing your management capacity needs, we recommend you first have your board and staff complete the Criteria for Management Excellence.

Q: Do you award grants for longer than one year?

A: Grants for management improvement projects are generally awarded for well-defined projects to be completed in one year or less. If your project involves numerous steps expected to take place over several years, it may not be possible to design the work or accurately determine overall costs from the outset. In such cases, it is preferable to divide your project into phases and seek funding from various sources accordingly. This will also allow you to apply what you learn in each phase to the design of the next, focusing and refining your approach to overall organizational effectiveness.

Q: Does the MAG program make appointments for potential grantees to present preliminary ideas?

A: Yes. However, in most cases your letter of inquiry is the best and most expeditious way to start the process. If your organization is eligible for support and your project fits the guidelines, we will schedule a meeting or phone call if we need further clarification concerning your request. We are aware that many management improvement projects are time-sensitive, and we will make every effort to acknowledge your request and make a funding determination promptly. If you are not sure if the scope of your project or if your organization is a fit with our grant criteria, we suggest an initial phone call to our senior program officer.

Q: What do you look for when you review a letter of inquiry or a proposal?

A: We first make certain that your letter of inquiry or proposal fits within the guidelines for support of projects to enhance management, leadership and/or governance. We review the consultant’s work plans, time lines and budgets to see if his or her understanding of the project goals aligns with your own as described in your letter of inquiry. If the project is well-defined, makes sense given what you are attempting to accomplish and has a board and staff champion from within your organization, we are in a position to move forward with a grant recommendation. If, however, we need additional information before a decision can be made, we will contact you. We also focus on the following questions:

• Is the organization a social service or community development organization?
• Does it provide services primarily in Allegheny County and/or the City of Pittsburgh?
• Is the proposed scope of work a capacity-building project to be completed by third party consultant?
• Is the request for less than $20,000?
• Has the organization provided a clear overview of the current capacity challenge facing the organization?
• Are the board and staff of the organization in agreement on the scope of work and willing to work together?
• What is the financial status of the organization?
• Has the organization already selected a consultant and begun work on the project? Part of The Forbes Funds’ process is to help the organization determine if the project is the right one at the right time. Therefore, we do not traditionally fund projects that are already underway.
• Visit the section of our site “Are You A Fit” to learn more about the types of work we do and do not fund.

Q: What is your decision-making process?

A: The Forbes Funds follows this process in determining grant awards:

1. We determine whether the request meets our core funding guidelines: Are you a social service or community development organization that primarily provides service in Allegheny County, and are you looking to address a capacity building issue?
2. We conduct a site visit with organization staff and a board member to gain clarity on scope of the project, how it fits into the organization’s current needs, the cost of the project, an organization overview (both service and structure) and the organization’s financial standing. Any of these factors can influence the scope and how the request moves forward.
3. We determine whether the request will move forward. If so, the organization will be required to obtain at least two bids for the project work.
4. The organization submits the name of selected consultant and associated bid to The Forbes Funds.
5. The Forbes Funds Grants Distribution Committee (GDC) meets quarterly in March, June, September and December to vet requests and make recommendations to The Forbes Funds Board.
6. The Forbes Funds Advisory Committee and Board will review the GDC requests and make a final decision.
7. The Forbes Funds staff will notify the organization of the status of the request immediately after the board meeting.

Q. Does the LOI have a deadline?

A: There are no deadlines for initial letters of inquiry (LOI). These letters are accepted and reviewed year-round. Our Board of Directors makes funding decisions on a quarterly basis during the calendar year. Not all grant requests are considered in the quarter coinciding with their submission; requests may be carried over to a future quarter. You can withdraw your application at any time by calling or writing to us