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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 your mission in your community. Grant awards outside of Grant Cycles may also be promoted to tell the story of the impact of your foundation in the community. This can be done several ways:
- Host an event where grants are presented
- Present the grant at another popular community event or at the charity’s office
- Share your story through photos
- Send out media releases
- Use social media
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
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- Event Planning and Responsibilities (Watch Recording)
- Be sure to review the Events Policies and Procedures.
- Complete an Event Form at least 60 days before your event.
- Ensure that your awardee is available to attend the event.
- Create invitations, an ad for newspaper or social media, or poster to promote your event. CKCF staff can suggest graphic design resources if needed. Remember to have promotion pieces approved by CKCF staff.
- Write a Media Release LINK: Media Release template
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.
- Multi-Media Consent Form (online)
- Multi-Media Consent Form (printable)
- CKCF Multi-Media Policy
- Post the Crowd Sourcing Poster in a prominent place at your event.
SEND OUT MEDIA RELEASES
- Before sending out Media Release, get it approved by CKCF staff. Then, promote your event everywhere — 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.
- Plan to send a media release after awards are made and include photos and quotes from the recipients.
USING SOCIAL MEDIA
- Create a Facebook event or post.
- Explore promoting.
- Be sure to review Facebook Best Practices.
IDEAS FOR THE AWARDS PROGRAM
- Prepare the scholarship or grant recipient to tell their story at the celebration. Ask them to speak for a few minutes about the project being funded through your grant or, if a scholarship recipient to share their plans for the future.
- It is not 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 giant check or a sign to display at their office.
- 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 previously funded.
