What is ACP looking for?
ACP’s new cycle of grant applications is now open, with a deadline of May 15th and we hope to hear from lots of different people about how they want to challenge the stigma surrounding abortion. At a recent board meeting, we discussed what kinds of things we were looking for in a grant application. Our answers were varied, and to be honest, sometimes subjective, but we want to share these with people who want to apply.
One feature that ACP offers is a connection with our Grant Partners to provide whatever expertise, encouragement, or resources that we can. So, we also want to evaluate our own interests, skills, and capacity to offer helpful assistance to a project. For instance, one of our board members had experience in community murals and we knew we could help others who wanted to paint murals.
Having funded 73 projects so far, we are also interested in what strategies will generate conversations that lead to shifting attitudes about abortion. Does the proposed strategy align with ours? In other words, does it promote conversation, preferably on a one-to-one basis in a community setting? Do proposals offer a new innovative strategy to get people talking? Or does the proposal take a proven strategy to a new audience? An example from a recent project is establishing a book club that reaches into a rural state. There is ample evidence that in the discussion of books, people can shift their opinions as others share their experiences.
ACP Board members also look at the more usual stuff:
Is the budget realistic? Is the amount ACP can offer just a small part of the entire budget? If so, how will you get the rest or, how will an association with ACP help you achieve their goal?
Is the project viable? Do we think this can actually be done in the time specified, with the people involved and with the proposed budget?
Are there impediments to success because of technology? Does the project use current cutting edge technology to reach an audience?
Do we think the organization has the ability to follow through on the project and provide us with the required documentation and financial receipts? Do we have a way to easily re-imburse through check or PayPal?
How will you determine the success of the project? ACP encourages innovative as well as traditional ways of evaluating a project. We have found that considering this question in your initial planning makes evaluating your project straight forward. More information, including a webinar here.
DEADLINE MAY 15TH APPLY HERE