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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.
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.
