Using Competitions and RFPs

When does it make sense to hold a grant competition or use an RFP? In addition to looking at management issues to consider along the way, this guide explores how grant makers shape competitions to serve larger strategic goals, communicate with wider audiences, create a learning community, and find ways to work with those who are not selected.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Deciding whether to use an RFP
• Shaping the competition so it serves your goals
• Managing the process and other issues to consider

SAMPLE QUOTES

"As I looked at my predecessor's portfolio, I realized that I didn't have a good sense of who the universe of people actually doing this kind of work on the ground might be. And so the first need was to find out who is doing this work, and who thinks of themselves as doing this work."

— A grantmaker considers using an RFP process to enter an unfamiliar field

"I found that well-written RFPs can have program purposes of their own. Organizations that do not choose to participate still have an opportunity to think about a new endeavor in their field. In academic settings, our foundation's RFPs have been used to suggest new dissertation topics and thereby stimulate another form of research."

— A grantmaker recalling how an RFP can serve different ends

"In order to be comfortable with the process, people look to see whether their own constituents are involved in it. If you want to work with any hard-to-reach community, you've got to have that community be targeted by the RFP, be a part of your selection committee, and part of any intermediary that you hire."

— A grantmaker commenting on how she shaped the process to serve her program's goals

MORE ON THIS SUBJECT

And the Winner Is:
Capturing the Promise of Philanthropic Prizes
McKinsey & Company
Philanthropic prizes can be a powerful tool for grantmakers who are looking to promote innovation in a field or community. Properly shaped, they can produce a big bang for the buck in terms of societal benefit. This comprehensive guide, based on extensive interviews with grantmakers and other practitioners, looks at when (and when not) to use prizes, how effective programs are developed, and ways to improve their impact over time. Complete with brief case studies, core design features, and prize database. [PDF - 124 pages]