KDK-Harman Foundation

Below are the most relevant findings from the results to-date from our Applicant Feedback Questionnaire that we thought might be interesting to share with the community. In the near future, the Foundation will continue to update this information by posting periodic updates of questionnaire results. Also, as more grantees come to a close out their grant period, we will have sufficient data to post from our Closed Grant Questionnaire.

Summary of Applicant Questionnaire Results (as of June 2011):

• 50% of applicants who responded to the survey requested between $25,000 and $49,999 for their programs.
• 51% of applicants have an annual budget of more than $1 million per year.
• 80% of applicants obtained information about the Foundation to support the development of their grant requests through KDK's website. Another 64% did so through in-person meetings with Foundation staff.
• 75% of applicants found the LOI process to be helpful.
• By far, the highest rated resource in aiding the application process was initial staff contact. 70% of respondents rated this resource as “very helpful,” followed by grant guidelines (57%) and “online LOI and application forms (56%).
• 92% of applicants found the common application process to be “useful” or “very useful;" and 66% found the common application process to be “somewhat easier” or “about the same” compared to other funder grantmaking processes.
• 91% of applicants found that KDK-Harman staff were “courteous and responsive”, and 83% stated that the staff were “knowledgeable.”
• 73% of applicants were satisfied with the explanation of why their grant proposal was not funded; and 89% of applicants responded that they will apply for funding from the Foundation again.
• The large majority of applicants identified at least one of the following as the most important characteristics of an effective grantmaking foundation:
  • Clear communication regarding the foundation’s area of interest/clear guidelines.
  • Specific and easy to follow instructions.
  • Clear feedback.
  • Truly knowledgeable of community needs from direct, hands-on observation (not just statistics)
  • Having personalized relationships with grantees/agencies for optimum communication and impact.
  • Willing to provide feedback (whether on project outcomes and success, the application itself, etc.)
  • The staff is accessible, courteous, and helpful.
  • Clear requirements and decision-making process.
• Moreover, 75% of applicants responded that KDK-Harman Foundation possesses these characteristics.