Graham Hill Elementary

* Capacity Building Awards may be used for training, consulting, collaboration, conferences, skill exchange, professional development or accessing other resources that help strengthen the organization. Areas for capacity building may includea:

1. Board development
2. Development of internal systems or structures
3. Financial management
4. Fundraising
5. Human resources
6. Leadership Development
7. Outcomes and quality improvement/Evaluation
8. Strategic planning
9. Succession planning

supports nonprofit organizations and programs located in Adobe communities that address community-specific needs, with an emphasis on the following criteria:

• Arts and cultural organizations with the mission or principal focus on the creation, promotion and exhibition of visual arts, multimedia or video.
• Providing services to reduce hunger and homelessness and provide affordable housing
• Protecting the natural environment and improving public spaces for the enjoyment of the community
• Improving access to electronic information for people with disabilities

Grants for education are made in two areas:

• Teacher training in technology and curriculum development - The Foundation desires to help teachers make effective use of new technologies, particularly computers, in their schools. Grants will be awarded to educational organizations to fund technology training for teachers and technology curriculum development. Applications from organizations serving low-income or underserved children will be favored. Grants for capital expenses are ineligible.
• Supporting arts programs - The Foundation’s goals for grants in arts education are to assist arts organizations and instructors to provide hands-on classes in the schools. The desired outcome of these classes must include an alignment with state education requirements. Applications from organizations serving low-income or underserved children will be favored. Funding of both capital items and operating program costs will be considered.

1. Student-directed or inquiry-based learning where students have a clear role in designing and evaluating projects and learning activities.
2. Support for teachers to learn and apply new methods of performance assessment and teaching models for student directed learning.
3. Programs that promote skills for critical thinking, problem-solving and applied learning.
4. Promotion of youth voices in the governance of schools, classrooms, and the community.
5. Programs that build a strong sense of community in a school by developing mutual responsibility, accountability, and loyalty among student, parents and staff.

When considering grant applications, the staff and Board of Trustees of the Foundation focus on the broad goal of improving community wellbeing. When reviewing organizations, we look at the following elements that we believe characterize efficient and effective organizations and certain programmatic elements that we believe most effectively lead to a Healthy Community for King County residents.

We believe effective organizations have:

• A mission statement that clearly defines the organization’s purpose and reflects their understanding of the communities they serve
• A clear articulation of why it believes what it is doing is important and that it will be effective and produce desired results
• An appropriate strategic and funding plan given its size and developmental stage
• Clearly defined priorities, strategies, and measurable outcomes
• Experienced and highly qualified staff and leadership
• Skilled governing board whose knowledge includes financial management and the community served
• Support in the community, constituent involvement, and can mobilize financial and in-kind support as well as volunteers
• Knowledge about the people or organizations it serves, where it fits in its community, and coordination with others, as needed

We believe effective programming:

• Addresses an identified community need within the Healthy Community framework
• Has a methodology that makes sense and takes into account accepted or best practices in the field
• Is built on a thoughtful practical plan that outlines specific outcomes
• Includes exploration of innovative approaches, participants and partnerships
• Is delivered by an organization that is knowledgeable about the issue and their constituency
• Engages the skills, abilities and experience of community members in creating effective changes together
• Takes advantage of coordination possibilities and avoids duplication
• Is culturally competent
• Is responsive to and respectful of the dignity and need for hope of the people they serve
• Has staff and volunteers reflective of the community
• Is delivered in user-friendly ways and locations that overcome barriers to participation
• Responds to the diverse needs of constituents and offers resources or referrals to other programs when needed
• Fosters civic engagement