How does my organization apply for funding?

By Jackie Murphy

Participants at our Aloha Grantmaking Reimagined! roadshow

Collins has introduced the Partnership Alignment Screener (PAS) to answer that question. It’s the first step in the grant seeking process. Open in the spring and fall, the PAS is a set of six multiple-choice questions designed to assess value alignment early, so nonprofit organizations can identify if their priorities differ from the foundation’s.

Over 600 organizations have completed the PAS since the foundation launched its new grantmaking process last month.

This is what we’ve heard so far from nonprofit organizations about the screener:

• The overall process is more accessible and community-centered.

• The questions on the PAS are thoughtful.

• It’s more than just a pre-application tool. The PAS is a meaningful prompt for deeper reflection on values, mission alignment, and the true nature of partnership.

The feedback also highlighted the need to better communicate next steps for organizations after submitting the screener and what to expect at each stage of the grant seeking process.

It has taken our team 1,474 hours to completely reimagine our approach to grantmaking. There’s still more work to do. Collins is committed to making sure our emerging relationship model of philanthropy continues to hold us accountable to our commitment to realize a just and equitable Oregon for all of us.