Our Grant Cycles
Investing in the Community
SVP Boston's Grant Cycles are central to what we do, and in 2022, we made a number of changes to our processes
to improve on the experience for applicants and committee members alike.
Our Process
Each of our two grant cycles follows a standard process designed to help us get the most information possible about a potential grantee, while also working to ensure as little work rests on our applicants as possible. Through our Investment Committee, a panel of volunteers from our partner and corporate partner base, we rigorously examine each proposal to determine which partnership would be the most impactful.
Before each cycle, SVP Boston scouts for eligible organizations to apply, and hosts an info session to give context to the cycle, advice on how to apply, and to answer questions that any potential applicants may have, in order to provide applicants with the best experience possible.
First Stage
Applicants submit their proposal, which is then reviewed by commitee members. 6-8 applicants are chosen to move to the Semi-Finalist round.
Semi-Finalist Stage
Semi-Finalists provide more detail on their proposal, as well as more context on their organization such as structure, financials, and goals. 2-3 Semi-Finalists are chosen to move to the Finalist Round.
Finalist Stage
Our Committe interacts closely with finalists, conducting reference calls, in-person site visits, and leadership assessments. 1 Grantee is chosen from the Finalist organizations.
Spring 2022 E-Track
Our E-Track Grant Cycle, running each spring, is aimed at early stage, BIPOC-led organizations that are making change in the Greater Boston Area.
In 2022, we reaffirmed our commitment to our E-Track Grant Cycle, shifting more resources and time to ensure that the organizations who most need our support are getting it. Click the video to the left to learn more about the shifts we have made to our E-Track, changes to our grantmaking on the whole, and messages from our current E-Track Grantees.
Fall 2022 Capacity Building Cycle
Our Fall Capacity Building Grant Cycle is aimed at growing non-profits from the Greater Boston Area that are at an inflection point in their development. Since 2002, grantees from this cycle have had incredible success as they work to take their organization to the next level, seeing around five times the growth of similarly sized organizations in the Greater Boston Area.
As part of our commitment to ensuring that our grant cycles are as applicant-focused as possible, we were thrilled to pilot a partnership with the JustFund platform as part of our Fall 2022 Cycle. JustFund helps nonprofits connect to more grantmakers through the use of a Common Proposal, allowing nonprofits to be seen by funders across the platform by submitting a single proposal to the site.
We were thrilled with the results of our partnership with JustFund; with over 30 applications for a single grant, we want to ensure that all of our applicants find value in our application process.