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Application Info Session

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Eligibility and Criteria

Grantmaking Process

Frequently Asked Questions

Participant Q&A

Session Agenda

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Eligibility & Applicant Criteria

More Resources

Criteria Overview

Who Can Apply?

  • No invitation to apply required
  • Operating budget of $350,000+ annually
  • Ask is typically 5-8% of an organization’s current budget*
  • Recommend a 2-year grant term*
  1. Ability to demonstrate impact through rigorous data
  2. Competitive cost per impact
  3. Ambitious, but attainable Strategic Plan
  4. Strong, passionate, qualified leadership & team
  5. Financial Sustainability and long-term solvency

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  • Use our Self-Assessment
  • Details on each of the criteria can be found on the “Grantmaking Criteria” page of our website
  • Highly encourage use of the provided rubric, which is the rubric used by staff and board

*Exceptions may be made for one-time requests.

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The Grantmaking Process

This process applied to all organizations who do not currently receive funding from RTNF as well as all Legacy Partners.

Assess Alignment

Evaluate whether or not the organization is a good fit for RTNF.

Primary Application

Includes an LOI and financial overview.

Finalizing Grant

Awarded orgs sign a grant agreement.

Due Diligence

In-depth review of strategy, meetings with key team members, site visit.

Annual Reporting

1-3 page written report based on submitted Milestones and a check-in call.

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Is there a difference between the January and July Cycles?

No. Both are equally considered for funding.

FAQs

Can I apply in both cycles?

No. Organizations may only apply once every 12 months.

Does the board consider capital requests?

Yes. However, the same criteria must be met, and there must be a compelling case for the new building or materials. The board does not provide funding for endowments.

What does rigorous data mean?

Rigorous data means that an organization has data showing evidence of impact, not only outputs. This must include (1) strong internal program measurement and (2) either an independent evaluation or existing literature to support the intervention.

Will someone review my application before I submit?

No. Due to our own capacity limits and in the interest of fairness, we cannot review an application before it is submitted. If you have a specific question, feel free to reach out to info@rtnf.org.

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Q&A

What remaining questions do you have?

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Q&A Notes

  • If applying for a project, does the 5-8% ask size apply?
    • The 5-8% ask size is for an operational budget. This may represent a larger percentage of your program budget. However, please take into consideration the long-term financial health of your program.
  • What leadership should be included for that criteria?
    • Leadership includes the ED/CEO, the board, and any staff from your organization that is involved with the program.
  • What are some examples of literature that is accepted by RTNF?
    • We accept any peer reviewed journal articles or independent evaluations performed on similar programs.
    • Items that are not considered rigorous evidence of impact include: statements from elected officials, newspaper or magazine articles, or press releases.
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