RFP for Professional Development
To mark the 70th Anniversary of the Medina Foundation in 2017, the Foundation honored grantees by putting out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund professional development work. Knowing professional development is something that is valued, but often challenging to pay for, the Foundation wanted to support grantees' efforts in this much-needed area by committing funds above and beyond the usual payout. The RFP was sent to approximately 230 current and recent grantees.
The original request for proposals is archived here, with an overview of requests and decisions below. If you are a funder wanting to replicate this process, we are happy to share our materials and any lessons learned. Applications were due in March of 2017, and final decisions were made in April with an additional round of decisions in May. The Foundation received 148 proposals totaling over $688,000 for a wide variety of professional development opportunities, and ultimately funded 30 proposals totaling $139,541.
The original request for proposals is archived here, with an overview of requests and decisions below. If you are a funder wanting to replicate this process, we are happy to share our materials and any lessons learned. Applications were due in March of 2017, and final decisions were made in April with an additional round of decisions in May. The Foundation received 148 proposals totaling over $688,000 for a wide variety of professional development opportunities, and ultimately funded 30 proposals totaling $139,541.
Overview of Results
Requests
Medina Foundation received a total of 148 submissions requesting a total of $688,064. Requests came from all 14 counties that the Foundation funds in, and all six issue areas.
Note: Organization's primary issue area is determined by Foundation staff.
Percentages are based on the number of requests from each area, out of the total number of requests (148), and are rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Percentages are based on the number of requests from each area, out of the total number of requests (148), and are rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Type of Professional Development Requested
Organizations were invited to submit proposals for any professional development opportunities that would benefit their organizations, without restrictions to the type of opportunity that may be funded, up to $5,000. Some organizations requested a combination of professional development opportunities.
Note: Some requests were for multiple opportunities, and thus percentages total more than 100%. Percentages are based on number of requests referencing each type of professional development, out of the total number of requests received (148).
Decisions
Due to the large number of highly compelling requests, staff and Trustees ultimately exceeded the original budget of $90,000, funding 30 professional development requests for a total of $139,541.
Note: Organization's primary issue area is determined by Foundation staff.
Percentages are based on the number of proposals funded from each area, out of the total number funded (30), and are rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Percentages are based on the number of proposals funded from each area, out of the total number funded (30), and are rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Organizations Funded by Professional Development Type
Note: Some requests were for multiple opportunities, and thus percentages total more than 100%. Percentages are based on number of requests referencing each type of professional development, out of the total number of requests funded (30).
Reflections
Medina Foundation is sharing this information on the RFP application process, and the themes seen in the proposals received, in hopes that other funders may be inspired to fund professional development opportunities for grantees. These requests have shown that investments in professional development are desperately needed, yet can rarely be prioritized over program and basic operating funds. The result is a vacuum within organizational infrastructure where vital leadership development and even basic staff training and support are often passed over.
Many requests were for core occupational and safety trainings for staff members, which should ideally be prioritized as a critical component of an organization's operating budget. This confirms the importance of funding general operating support, which allows organizations to be flexible in determining critical needs for the sustainable operations of the programs that ultimately deliver results.
A large percentage of the requests Medina received were to support Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work, which shows the growing recognition of the importance of this work. EDI work helps to better connect program staff to the individuals and communities they serve, and assists leadership in developing policies and programs that accurately reflect their values and goals in the community. Increased knowledge of EDI best practices strengthens the professional development of those who work in the social sector in myriad ways. In recognition of the importance of this work, the Foundation ultimately funded 9 of the 34 requests for EDI work, and Foundation staff will themselves participate in The People's Institute Northwest’s “Undoing Institutional Racism” workshop.
Professional development is a critical component of all organizational infrastructures, bolstering staff and leadership capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive in the constantly evolving and highly demanding field of nonprofit operations. Without proper support, training, and encouragement for staff and leadership, nonprofits face high turnover rates that ultimately diminish their programmatic goals and structural sustainability. By supporting a wide range of professional development opportunities, much like providing general operating support, foundations can ultimately strengthen the organizations that provide the critical services to communities in need and see greater results from their programs in the future.
View Philanthropy Northwest's blog post on the Medina's professional development RFP here.
Many requests were for core occupational and safety trainings for staff members, which should ideally be prioritized as a critical component of an organization's operating budget. This confirms the importance of funding general operating support, which allows organizations to be flexible in determining critical needs for the sustainable operations of the programs that ultimately deliver results.
A large percentage of the requests Medina received were to support Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work, which shows the growing recognition of the importance of this work. EDI work helps to better connect program staff to the individuals and communities they serve, and assists leadership in developing policies and programs that accurately reflect their values and goals in the community. Increased knowledge of EDI best practices strengthens the professional development of those who work in the social sector in myriad ways. In recognition of the importance of this work, the Foundation ultimately funded 9 of the 34 requests for EDI work, and Foundation staff will themselves participate in The People's Institute Northwest’s “Undoing Institutional Racism” workshop.
Professional development is a critical component of all organizational infrastructures, bolstering staff and leadership capacity to grow, adapt, and thrive in the constantly evolving and highly demanding field of nonprofit operations. Without proper support, training, and encouragement for staff and leadership, nonprofits face high turnover rates that ultimately diminish their programmatic goals and structural sustainability. By supporting a wide range of professional development opportunities, much like providing general operating support, foundations can ultimately strengthen the organizations that provide the critical services to communities in need and see greater results from their programs in the future.
View Philanthropy Northwest's blog post on the Medina's professional development RFP here.