Quantum Foundation Review Criteria

 

The following criteria are used by the Quantum Foundation to review Full Proposals.  Examples of the types of information and level of detail that is required are also provided. 

 

Need for Assistance

  • The need for assistance is clearly and adequately described using local data.
  • The identified problem, need, or issue is one that is pressing in Palm Beach County.  The proposal describes why it is timely and/or urgent to address the identified problem, need, or issue.
  • Addressing the problem, need, or issue will further the Foundation’s mission.
  • Addressing the problem, need, or issue aligns with at least one of the Foundation’s focus areas.
  • The identified problem, need, or issue will likely be impacted by the implementation of the proposed project (positively and/or negatively).
  • The proposal indicates how Quantum funding will be used (as seed funding, a match to an existing award, as gap funding, as continuation funding, as sustaining funding, etc.).  

 

Project Approach and Design

  • The proposal clearly describes the project’s targeted population, geographic service area, and activities.
  • The project reflects an innovative approach to addressing the identified problem, need, or issue.
  • The project’s overall design and activities are reasonable and are likely to achieve the project’s stated outcomes.
  • The project’s overall design and activities are in-line with best practices.
  • The project’s overall design and activities integrate with relevant existing services.
  • The project’s activities are well-designed and logical given the identified need and target population.
  • The project’s implementation timeline is realistic. 

 

Evaluation

  • The evaluation model clearly identifies project activities, outcomes, and goals.
  • The evaluation model demonstrates a shared emphasis on one (or more) of the Quantum LEAP measures of success, with specific project goals, activities, outcomes, and impacts that can establish quantifiable progress towards achieving the Quantum LEAP measures of success.
  • The project outcomes are realistic and appropriate for the identified problem, need, or issue.
  • The project outcomes are realistic and appropriate for the capacity of the organization and its partners.
  • The project activities and project outcomes are measurable, tracked over time, and related to the goals of the project.
  • The proposed evaluation strategy will likely allow for the demonstration of project impact.  

 

Budget and Budget Narrative

  • The total project budget is adequate to successfully implement the proposed project and address the identified problem, need, or issue.
  • The total project costs are reasonable given the scale and scope of the proposed project.
  • The request to the Quantum Foundation is appropriate.
  • The budget and budget narrative adequately describe how Foundation funds will be applied to various line items.
  • The budget narrative is sufficiently detailed to provide programmatic justification for each line item in the total project budget.
  • The applicant has sought additional funders (pending and/or confirmed) and has secured sufficient funding to adequately implement the project as described.  Confirmation of secured funding is provided.
  • The applicant’s financial information (CEO/CFO form, audited financials, 990, annual organizational operating budget) indicates that it will be a good steward of Foundation funds.   

 

Organizational Capacity

  • The organization indicates a strong commitment to the project.
  • The qualifications of the organization as a whole and key project staff suggest that the project will be implemented and managed successfully.
  • The organization has developed appropriate relationships with other organizations doing similar or closely-related work to address the identified problem, need, or issue.  Letter of support from key partners, stakeholders, or other organizations are provided.
  • Prior Foundation experience with this organization, key staff, and project partners has demonstrated competency in the implementation of projects of similar size and scope as well as success in serving the target population and in achieving identified project outcomes and goals. 

 

Sustainability

  • The proposed post-grant sustainability plan is reasonable and realistic.
  • The applicant has sought additional funders (pending and/or confirmed) and has secured sufficient funding to adequately implement the project as described.  Confirmation of secured funding is provided.