Purpose and Priorities

Organizational development grants support only the development component of independent policy research actors. Prior to receiving a grant, applicants will have to analyze what does and does not work inside the organization. They will be the drivers of change by presenting a detailed plan for overall organizational development and clearly indicating in which of the three areas (research, communications, and internal management) they require improvement and how they will implement it.

Applicants will also be required to show how any grant expenses are tied to proposed changes in improving quality of research products, communications and advocacy capacity, and internal development and governance. For example, if a think tank applies for funding to help make its policy briefs more methodologically rigorous, the Think Tank Fund would be able to cover part of the salary for a policy analyst or a fee to a peer reviewer, but not for an accountant or even a senior researcher if neither works on improving this aspect of work. At the same time, the Think Tank Fund believes that any change requires general organizational investment and is willing to cover part of an applicant’s overhead cost.

Applicants should upload a brief concept paper of no more than four pages through the Open Society Foundations Grant Portal. Please attach your concept note as a single file in the “Notes and Attachments” section of the application system. Please do not paste your concept note to the “Project Description” field; instead simply indicate there “Organizational development grant.”

While applications are accepted on a rolling basis, organizations that would like to have their submissions reviewed in summer 2016 should send their concept papers no later than March 18, 2016. Any inquiries should be directed to: ttf.applications@opensocietyfoundations.org.

 

 

Criteria 

 

Financial & Grants Management

Budget Preparation	Steps to be taken while Applying for Grants
Bank Reconciliation	Letter of Intent
AdvancesÂ	Capacity Building
Cost Effective Analysis	Concept Note
How to choosea Bank	Bank Accounts
Cash and Fund flowÂ	Asset RegisterÂ
Financial Statements	Cash and Acrual based AccountingÂ