| INITIATIVE - BASED GRANTMAKING CREATES SYNERGY. Within a field or industry, and across communities, an initiative provides people with the opportunity to connect, learn from each other and combine their collective energies to create momentum in addressing a shared challenge. BUILDS ON SOLID PLANNING. Research and input from experts and community members guides the foundation’s development of the initiative, while grantees’ plans further tailor the initiative to meet their unique needs. MOVES AN ISSUE. By funding a group of organizations or communities working toward the same goal, an initiative provides strength in numbers over a lengthy period of time. INCREASES AWARENESS. Not only do initiatives provide grantees in related fields, with diverse cultures and differing geographic areas with the opportunity to connect and grow, they also spotlight the issue to other key audiences, such as policymakers, other funders and the media. EMPHASIZES SUSTAINABILITY. From the initial planning stages and throughout the initiative, the focus is on maintaining the effort well past Trust funding; technical assistance provided to grantees during the initiative helps them to increase their staying power and effectiveness. |