Learn about how our consultants helped SEELA increase its potential for securing crucial support and extending its community impact.
Problem Statement
How can we develop a comprehensive grant reference document that streamlines the efficiency of SEELA's application process? How can SEELA utilize and improve its data tracking & analysis to craft impact metrics that best showcase its community impact?
About SEE-LA
SEE-LA builds sustainable food systems and promote social and cultural activities that benefit both low-to-moderate income residents of Los Angeles while also supporting California small- and mid-sized farms and local small businesses. Besides organizing incredible farmers markets, SEE-LA keeps Los Angeles healthy by offering and coordinating many programs that enrich lifestyles, help the community and enhance their mission. A couple include improving access to fresh, healthy foods by way of CalFresh EBT, the WIC and Market Match program. Additionally, children across LA benefit from SEELA’s Bring the Farmer to Your School program, in which local California farmers have provided engaging sessions to schools for over 15 years.
Problem Description
To effectively support the organization's mission, SEELA relies on government/corporate funding and grants. The organization is in search of more efficient methods to apply for and secure these crucial financial resources. We hope to assist SEELA by developing a comprehensive grant reference document that will expedite the grant application process.
Additionally, to better showcase the organization's work to potential funders and introduce the organization effectively, SEELA aims to update their current set of data and metrics used to measure impact. The organization is seeking support to identify the metrics in need of updating and to conduct the necessary research and analysis to generate new impact metrics.
Project Agenda & Objectives
Grant Reference Document
Conducting External Research: Perform research to understand the common questions asked in grant applications, noting any variations in requirements or expectations. Investigate the differences between government grants and foundation grants, focusing on their unique application processes, criteria, and priorities.
Compiling and Reviewing Past Grant Applications: Collect and systematically review past grant applications, paying special attention to the types of answers provided and identifying patterns in grants that have been successfully funded. Analyze successful applications to understand what made them stand out, including the clarity of responses, alignment with grant criteria, and the presentation of information.
Creating Comprehensive Grant Reference Documents: Integrate the insights gained from the research on common grant questions, the distinctions between government and foundation grants, and the review of past successful applications. Utilize the new impact metrics generated to enhance the quality of grant applications. Develop comprehensive grant reference documents that can serve as a valuable guide for future applications
Impact Metrics
Assessment of Current Metrics: Conduct interviews with internal staff to understand the existing methods of tracking operational data, including the specific types of data tracked, current data tracking procedures, and the nature of impacts they aim to measure. Perform a comprehensive review to identify any gaps in the current metrics. Determine areas where updates or refinements are necessary to ensure the metrics accurately reflect operational impacts.
Data Analysis: Collect and clean the data received to ensure accuracy and reliability in data analysis. Execute a thorough data analysis aimed at uncovering trends, deriving insightful conclusions, and pinpointing specific areas where SEELA’s impact can be quantified
Developing Impact Metrics: Review and analyze the structures of previous responses to impact-related questions as a foundational guide. Integrate the insights gained from data analysis to formulate and generate new, more effective impact metrics that are aligned with SEELA’s goals and objectives.
Recommendations: Based on insights obtained from interviews with internal staff and the analysis of current data collected, propose a set of new data metrics and revised procedures.
The Impact of 180DC's Work
The comprehensive grant reference document for SEELA supports the organization by streamlining its grant application process and enhancing its funding prospects. This document, including curated answers to common grant questions, not only highlights SEELA's mission and the issues it addresses but also showcases the significant impact it has on communities. By including an overview of varied data collected from SEELA's operations and integrating new, quantifiable impact metrics, the document effectively communicates the depth and breadth of SEELA's work. This strategic tool empowers SEELA to present a more compelling case to funders, thereby increasing its potential for securing crucial support and extending its community impact.