Equal Voice for America’s Families Strategic Network Mini-Grants

As part of Marguerite Casey Foundation’s commitment to further the work of the Equal Voice for America’s Families (EVAF) campaign, the Foundation allocated a small amount of resources to support network development formed or strengthened during the 2008 campaign. The Foundation was already aware of several promising networks, campaigns and strategic relationships that would benefit from modest, yet targeted support, but felt a Request for Proposals (RFP) process would enable more balanced input from existing grantees.

A 30-day RFP cycle between June and July of 2009 resulted in 53 EVAF Strategic Network Mini-Grant proposal submissions. Only current grantee organizations involved in multi-organization network efforts were eligible for consideration. Staff recommended a total of $525,000 for 18 projects distributed across all funding regions to our Board of Directors at its August Board Meeting. EVAF Strategic Network Mini-Grant selection criteria included:

• Engage new constituencies and/or partners,
• Have a specific component aimed at achieving change at the local, regional, state and/or national level on issues that connect to those in the EVAF platform,
• Reflect new or broadened networks that were created or strengthened by participation in the campaign,
• Reflect an effort to be as inclusive of other MCF grantees as possible,
• Intentionally build the skills of low-income leaders, and
• Strive to be a multi-issue and/or multi-racial network.

The 18 recommended projects vividly reflect the issues and strategies highlighted in the EVAF platform and are grounded in the diverse local contexts of families. The Equal Voice for America's Families campaign laid the groundwork for a family led movement to improve the economic well-being of families with a goal of sustaining a shift in national attitudes and policies affecting poor and working families. The EVAF Strategic Network Mini-Grants presented are one opportunity to continue supporting the momentum and emerging work created by the campaign.