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Three year organizational development grants were offered to two groups every three years, from 2004-2010. The application process was by invitation only. The $90,000 three-year grant enabled a group to work in accordance with the organizational development goals outlined in their application with no strings attached. Grantees chose their own consultant(s) to guide them in developing their organization as appropriate and needed. FACT's senior program officer checked in with the grantees regularly.
The organizational development grants awarded in addition to the general operating support from FACT were intended to provide the resources necessary for a group that was ready to take its organization to the next level and knew what it needed to get there. A group could use the funding as it saw fit to achieve that next level of effectiveness. For instance, groups could hire their own consultant or a team of consultants, convene their members, send staff or members to trainings, do learning exchanges, etc.
Organizations were selected based on an assessment that the groups:
- were ready to develop the organization's capacity and become more effective
- were strategic regarding their growth priorities
- were aligning and integrating their programs, strategies and vision throughout the organization
Once accepted, the Executive Directors communicated directly with FACT's Senior Program Officer regarding progress toward achieving the goals they outlined at the outset of the grant period. FACT treated these conversations with the same notions of confidentiality that imbued its MAP program. We ascertained that progress was being made toward the goals without asking detailed questions. Nonetheless, we were able to support the groups in moving forward. Plus, our funds helped leverage additional support for the work.
During the six years that the organizational development funds were available, four FACT grantees received OD grants, including the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, the SouthWest Organizing Project, Communities for a Better Environment, and 9 to 5 Working Women.
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