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Competitive Grant Cycles and Awards
Competitive Scholarship Cycles and Awards
When a community foundation awards grants and scholarships it’s an important time to broadcast this activity in your community. This can be done several ways:
- Host an event
- Share your story through photos
- Send out media releases
- Using social media
- Presenting the Grant
Each of the above efforts requires a bit of extra work on the part of the board but it is well worth it! Your board may want to appoint a Task Force to plan for your awards. Let’s unpack the points above:
HOST AN EVENT
- Be sure to review the Events Policies and Procedures.
- Complete an Event Form at least 60 days before your event.
- NEW! Customize an Awards Event Marketing Pack!
CKCF, and Community Creative Services in Newton, KS have worked to develop customizable marketing packs that are available to all affiliates. We currently are offering this Awards Event Marketing Pack (in addition to two other customizable packs that you can see HERE). Click the graphic below to learn more and start the customization process.
SHARE YOUR STORY THROUGH PHOTOS
- Ask someone to take photos at the event for use now and later on Social Media and in Media Releases. Be sure to get Multi-Media Consent Forms signed by each individual in your photos, including minors.
SEND OUT MEDIA RELEASES
- Promote your event everywhere you can think of… to the media using a Media Release, church bulletin announcements, school district and city newsletters, with posters at senior center, bank, on Social Media, etc.
- Before submitting a release to the media, be sure to get it approved by Angie, CEO.
- LINK: Sample Media Release
- Post the Crowd Sourcing Poster in a prominent place at your event.
USING SOCIAL MEDIA
- Create a Facebook event or post.
- Be sure to review Facebook Best Practices.
PRESENTING THE GRANT
- Prepare the scholarship or grant recipient to tell their story at the celebration and give recipients a couple minutes to speak about the project being funded through your grant award at the celebration.
- It is not entirely necessary to hand the recipient the actual award check at the celebration. A symbolic envelope or certificate will do the trick! As appropriate, you may give receiving organizations a sign or giant check to display about the grant from your foundation.
- Consider asking one of your current or past grant recipients to host your celebration at their facility.
- Recognize the donor(s) who make grants and scholarships possible and tell their story (with their permission) to inspire others to get involved.
- Consider hosting an event at the location where a grant has been spent on a new project to show the community what your foundation funded. A media release after grant funds are utilized is also a good option.
