Purpose/Function: An Impact Committee will seek to understand the needs of the county/affiliate area to ensure alignment between those needs and our grants. The primary function and responsibility of the committee is to invest in nonprofits through the discretionary grant process. The committee will implement best practices in grantmaking, uphold trust-based practices, and reflect CFNEIA’s values in grant decision-making with the goal of maximizing the impact of those grants. The committee will work closely with CFNEIA staff to collaboratively achieve shared goals.
Actions of an Impact Committee for impactful grantmaking:
- The Committee reviews, evaluates, and deliberates to make grant award recommendations, which are sent to CFNEIA’s Board of Directors for final approval and ratification.
- Serve as a connector to nonprofits providing services in the county/affiliate area and advocate for CFNEIA among the communities served at large.
- Engage in community leadership meetings and convenings to increase understanding and awareness of community issues to help connect grant impacts with critical community needs and initiatives.
Membership: The committee shall consist of community representatives from across the affiliate area based upon key characteristics they might bring to the committee and include diverse representation across geographic location, age, gender, race, etc.
Term of Membership: Three years, renewable once for up to six years of continuous service.
Meeting Schedule: An Impact Committee will meet a minimum of three times per year and up to a maximum of eight times per year. In addition to the required meetings, hosting an event that celebrates community grantmaking impacts is highly recommended. Annual meetings will include the following: education meeting focused on grantmaking best practices, trust-based philanthropy, and/or community need assessment; business meeting; and deliberation meeting.
Next Step: Individuals may complete a volunteer self-interest form or may nominate someone else, such as a colleague, community leader or friend, to connect the CGCCF with to explore their interest in serving as a volunteer. Visit www.cfneia.org/volunteer to complete the self-interest or nomination form.
