KDK-Harman Foundation

The Foundation seeks best-in-class programs working to break the cycle of poverty through education. In addition, KDK promotes excellence in grantmaking through high-engagement activities with our grantees. Consistent with our mission, we developed questionnaires to gather feedback from all agencies that apply for funding from KDK as well as those that received funding from KDK. Because we expect our grantees to be accountable and to provide best-in-class services, we must also demonstrate these characteristics.

The questionnaires or surveys are meant to provide a feedback loop between applicants/grantees and the Foundation. We hope that this format will allow respondents to give honest, anonymous feedback on KDK's grantmaking process. After each board meeting, agencies that applied during that quarter at any phase of the process are invited to complete the Applicant Feedback Questionnaire. This questionnaire focuses on the grant application process. For those that do receive funding, we also ask that they complete the Closed Grant Questionnaire after the one-year grant cycle has lapsed. This questionnaire focuses on the entire grant process, from the time the check is written to the final evaluation report.

All questionnaire responses are anonymous in order to ensure candid feedback. We use Survey Monkey as it is cost effective and efficient. Feedback from both questionnaires is analyzed for constant improvement to our operations and interactions with applicants and grantees. Findings are shared with the board and changes to our grant process are implemented based on comments made by the survey participants. The feedback to date has been very constructive, and we continue to consider the questionnaires to be a critical piece of the grantmaking process.