In late 2005, a group of nonprofit organizations and grantmakers met to discuss whether it was time to review, revise, and fine-tune Colorado’s Common Grant Application (CGA) that had been created in 1993. Recognizing that the world had changed considerably in the intervening years, this ad hoc group agreed that it was time to update the CGA and by the middle of 2006, the effort was in full swing, with a new CGA released in April of 2008. Many individuals who served on the committee to revise the Common Grant Application continued their service to Colorado's nonprofit sector in the revision of the Common Grant Report (2009). The original CGR was launched in 2002. It was revised in 2009 to make it more compatible with the updated CGA.

The revision processes were inclusive and extensive, engaging broad representation from nonprofits, grantmakers, academicians, and capacity-building organizations. These stakeholders worked together to ensure the creation of tools that would be valuable to both grantseekers and grantmakers.

Three driving principles guided the process – 1) build upon the success of the past; 2) actively engage people in a deliberate and objective process; 3) enhance the opportunity for nonprofit organizations to tell their story while reinforcing “best practices” of nonprofit management and leadership.

How was this done? Deliberately, patiently, objectively. At each step, there were surveys, focus groups, expert working groups, testing, re-testing, piloting, and hours of discussions. The deliberate outreach included nonprofit executives, development staff, neophytes, experts, CEOs of grantmaking organizations, program officers, grants management staff, capacity building trainers, and consultants. The Colorado group contrasted its efforts with others nationally, conducted a comprehensive literature review and then puzzled, scrutinized, reviewed, and debated some more.

During the same time period that the CGA was undergoing revision, the Colorado Nonprofit Association produced a publication titled Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado. The document serves as a resource for organizations by covering best practices related to nonprofit management issues, accountability, and transparency. The revised CGA and CGR and the Principles and Practices document share common goals -- to increase the capacity of the nonprofit sector to deliver on its mission and to help elevate the recognition of the sector as a force absolutely vital to the well-being of Coloradans.

In 2008, recognizing the importance of these efforts, Colorado Attorney General John W. Suthers and Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman endorsed the use of the revised CGA in recognition of its value in reinforcing best practices and ultimately leading to a strengthened nonprofit sector.

In late 2009, the Common Grant Application for Capital Campaigns (CGA-Capital) was created by tweaking the CGA to make it more suitable for grantmakers reviewing capital campaign requests.

Efforts related to the Colorado’s Common Grant Forms have occurred on an ad hoc basis based on the interests and energy of grantmakers, technical assistance providers, and grantseekers. Following is a list of volunteers involved in the effort.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: COMMON GRANT APPLICATION

Revising Colorado’s Common Grant Application (CGA) was a volunteer effort that required untold hours of work from many individuals extremely dedicated to enhancing Colorado’s nonprofit sector.

From start to finish, the project took over two years. The work was carried forward by the following committees: Executive Committee, Drafting Committee, Communications Committee, Technology Committee, User’s Guide Working Group, Beta Test Working Group, Rollout Working Group, and Training Working Group.

Sincere thanks to the individuals involved for generously sharing their time and talent. In addition, sincere thanks to their employers for allowing them the flexibility to spend time on this project.

Rebecca Arno, The Denver Foundation (Communications, Roll-Out)
Noah Atencio, Daniels Fund (Drafting, Technology)
Erin Binford, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation (Drafting, User’s Guide, Training)
Jody Camp, Women’s Foundation of Colorado (Drafting)
Lisa Cirincione, JVA Consulting (Drafting, User’s Guide, Training, Rollout)
Hannah Clampitt, Community First Foundation (Technology)
Tom Currigan, Kaiser Permanente (Executive, Rollout)
Peter Droege, Daniels Fund (Communications)
Kelly Felice, Metropolitan State College of Denver (Communications)
Sarah Fischler, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Community Resource Center (Drafting – chair, Beta Test – chair, Rollout – chair, Training, Executive)
Susan France, Bonfils-Stanton Foundation (Communications)
Janice Fritsch, Kenneth King Foundation (Technology)
Cathy Lopez-Wessell, Bright Mountain Foundation (Drafting)
Marcie Moore Gantz, Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado (Executive, Training)
Steve Graham, Community Resource Center (Communications – chair year one)
Gabriel Guillaume, Community Resource Center (Rollout)
Mary Gunn, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Drafting, Technology – co-chair)
Saurabh Gupta, Daniels Fund (Technology)
Dee Hiatt, The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado (Drafting – initial chair, Executive)
Katherine Isberg, Colorado Association of Funders (Technology – initial chair)
Mike Jackson, Community First Foundation (Technology)
Sharon Knight, Colorado Nonprofit Association (Drafting, User’s Guide, Training, Executive, Rollout)
Julie Lerudis, Boettcher Foundation (Technology, Rollout, Training)
Rita McCusker, Daniels Fund (Drafting, User’s Guide, Rollout)
Alesia McCloud-Chan, Colorado Association of Funders (Communications)
Jeff Pryor, Anschutz Family Foundation (Drafting, User’s Guide, Rollout)
Dana Rinderknecht, Community First Foundation (Rollout)
Ruth Seedorf, Baby Bear Hugs (Drafting)
Barbara Salogga, Hilltop Community Resources (Drafting)
Christiano Sosa, The Denver Foundation (Drafting, Rollout)
Oz Spies, The Denver Foundation (Drafting)
Rachel Stumpf, JVA Consulting (administrative support)
Michelle Sturm, Anschutz Family Foundation (Executive – Chair, Drafting, Communications, User’s Guide – chair, Technology, Beta Test, Rollout)
Lynda Wiggins, Care and Share Food Bank (Drafting, User’s Guide)
Cindy Willard, Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation (Drafting, Communications – chair, Rollout, Executive, User’s Guide)
Bryce Wilkinson, Community First Foundation (Technology)
Janine Vanderburg, JVA Consulting (Technology – co-chair, Executive, Rollout, Training)

We also extend thanks to the dozens of grantmakers and hundreds of nonprofits that responded to two different on-line surveys providing feedback that guided this process.

Special thanks to the following:

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for creating a user-friendly Common Grant Forms website and hosting the website for two years.

The Anschutz Family Foundation, Denver Foundation, Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, and Kaiser Permanente for providing funds to cover expenses related to the effort.

JVA Consulting for loaning us their intern, Rachel Stumpf, and the facilitation services of Martha Vail.

The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, the Daniels Fund, and The Denver Foundation for feeding the committees on multiple occasions!

John Hodges with the Colorado Nonprofit Association and Karen Mather with the Gates Family Foundation for their expert editing services.

Peter Konrad for allowing us to freely use materials from his book Financial Management for Nonprofits: Keys to Success.

The Colorado Nonprofit Association for allowing us to freely copy materials from Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado.

Nell Maguire of Spring Creative communication design for designing the CGA logo.

And more special thanks to the following individuals who participated in the beta test of the CGA. Their experience and feedback led to the creation of the final version of the application itself and the accompanying User’s Guide.

The nonprofit participants wrote a mock proposal using the new CGA, responded to a questionnaire to provide their feedback, and participated in a meeting to have a more in-depth conversation on the experience of using the revised CGA. We salute their willingness to give of their time so generously to help ensure that the CGA would be an effective tool.

Malinda Anderson, Special Olympics of Colorado
Jennifer Atler and Laura Carlson, Invest in Kids
Alexa Behmer, Alternatives for Youth
Jan Brennan, Denver Office of Cultural Affairs
Heather Buoniconti, Food Bank for Larimer County
Susan Burkholder, Catholic Charities – Denver
Lauren Croucher, Bruce Randolph School
Jon Drake, Washington Children’s Center
Erin Duncan, Family Star
Christina Gair, Eagle River Youth Coalition
Stacie Gilmore and Sandy Kingsley, Environmental Learning for Kids
Rebecca Hea, Denver Children’s Home
Julie Hinkson, United Way of Mesa County
Janet Hollingsworth and Barbara Salogga, Hilltop Community Resources
Sunny Justice, Bal Swan Children’s Center
Melissa Kelley, Colorado Parent and Child Foundation
Patty Kester, YWCA of Pueblo
Laura Kinder, Volunteer Connection of Boulder County
Mindy Klowden, Jefferson Center for Mental Health
David Lack, Clinica Tepeyac
Summer Laws, Comunidad Integrada
Robin List, Project Angel Heart
Sarah McCarthy, Neighborhood Resource Center
Lydia McCoy, Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition
Vangi McCoy, Invest in Kids – Piñon Project
Ted Marsters, Parent Pathways
Dan Mondragon, Work Options for Women
Mary Frances Paull, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado
Katherine Rains, Sewall Child Development Center
Mary Scarcello, Colorado Soap Box Derby, Inc.
Susan Scarlata, Denver SCORES
Tricia Schmuki, ArtReach
Jessica Sherman, Global Greengrants Fund
Kelly Stern, Grand Beginnings
Kit Taintor, JVA Consulting, Inc.
Bev Thurber, Suicide Resource Center of Larimer County

The following individuals with grant reviewing experience reviewed the mock proposals, provided feedback on a questionnaire, and attended meetings to have more in-depth conversations regarding their experience in reviewing the new CGA.

Erin Binford, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
Suzanne Bruce, Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation
Sheila Bugdanowitz, Rose Community Foundation
Matt Carpenter, El Pomar Foundation
Lauren Casteel, The Denver Foundation
Jo Dufton Palmer, Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
Kelly Dunkin, Colorado Health Foundation
José Esquibel, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Prevention Services Division
Lisa Farber Miller, Rose Community Foundation
Lisa Fasolo-Frishman, Social Venture Partners of Denver
Sarah Fischler, nonprofit consultant and former grantmaker
Lisa Flores, Gates Family Foundation
Janice Fritsch, Kenneth King Foundation
Charlotte Gillespie, A.V. Hunter Trust
Phil Gonring, Rose Community Foundation
Mary Gunn, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Carly Hare, Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
Patrick Horvath, The Denver Foundation
Terri Konrad, The Denver Foundation
Julie Lerudis, Boettcher Foundation
Cathy Lopez-Wessell, Bright Mountain Foundation
Rita McCusker, Daniels Fund
Christine Marquez, Nonprofit Impact
Joe Mauro, JFM Consulting
Sharon Morneau, Community First Foundation
Jen Mullen, Colorado State University in Pueblo
JP Pedinielli, Komen Foundation and family foundation
Lynda Ricketson, Rose Community Foundation
Cindy Schulz, Cydney and Tom Marsico Family Foundation
Christiano Sosa, The Denver Foundation
Christine Soto, Christine Soto Consulting
Jim Stuart, Funding Commission of Pueblo
Michelle Sturm, Anschutz Family Foundation
Nadine Szablya, The Denver Foundation
Cindy Willard, Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: COMMON GRANT REPORT

Revising Colorado’s Common Grant Report was a volunteer effort that required hours upon hours of effort and input from more than fifty individuals across the state – all dedicated to enhancing Colorado’s nonprofit sector. From start to finish, the revision of the CGR took over ten months and involved over 60 individuals. The work was carried forward by more than the following committees: Executive Committee, Drafting Committee, Communications Committee, User’s Guide Committee, Beta Test Working Group, Financial Attachments Working Group, and Training Working Group. These committees were supported by a project coordinator, whose role was made possible through generous support from The Denver Foundation, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, Anschutz Family Foundation, and The Women's Foundation of Colorado.

Sincere thanks to the individuals involved for generously sharing their time and talent. In addition, a sincere thanks to their employers for allowing them the flexibility to spend time on this project.

Co-Chair of the CGR Revision: Sarah Fischler, Community Resource Center

Co-Chair of the CGR Revision: Christiano Sosa, The Denver Foundation

Project Coordinator: Lauren Price, Community Resource Center

Thank You to all the members of the CGR Steering Committee:

Erin Binford, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation (Co-Chair, User's Guide; Financials Working Group; Training Working Group)
Alexis Boian, Young Philanthropists Foundation (Volunteer)
Steve Callander, Boulder Day Nursery Association (Co-Chair, Communication)
Jody Camp, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (Volunteer)
Denise Clark, Denise Clark LLC (Drafting)
Tom Currigan, Kaiser Permanente Foundation (Volunteer)
Jose Esquibel, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (Volunteer)
Lisa Fasolo Frishman, Social Venture Partners (User's Guide)
Nancy Fell, Regis University MNM Program (Volunteer)
Sarah Fischler, Community Resource Center (Co-Chair; Co-Chair Drafting; User’s Guide; Training Working Group)
Lisa Flores, Gates Family Foundation (Drafting)
Stacie Gilmore, Environmental Learning for Kids (Volunteer)
Nneka Johnson, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (User's Guide)
Julie Lerudis, Boettcher Foundation (Co-Chair, Communication; Financial Attachments Working Group)
Kerry Lupher, JVA Consulting Inc. (Co-Chair, User's Guide; Training Working Group)
Karen Mather, Gates Family Foundation (Drafting)
Jane Marsh, Craig Hospital (Co-Chair, Drafting)
Ted Marsters, Parent Pathways (Drafting)
Joe Mauro, JFM Consulting (Drafting)
Lydia McCoy, Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition (Volunteer)
Dan Mondragon, Work Options for Women (Communication)
Lauren Price, Community Resource Center (All Committees and Working Groups)
Sharon Prueitt, Colorado Nonprofit Association (Training Working Group)
Jeff Pryor, Anschutz Family Foundation (Communication)
Brianne Rock, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver (User's Guide)
Amy Rosenblum, Boulder Valley Women's Health Center (User's Guide)
Ruth Seedorf, Baby Bear Hugs (Volunteer)
Christiano Sosa, The Denver Foundation (Co-Chair; Communication; Financial Attachments Working Group)
Oz Spies, The Denver Foundation (User's Guide; Financial Attachments Working Group)
Michelle Sturm, Anschutz Family Foundation (Drafting; Financial Attachments Working Group)
Mary Fran Tharp, Boys Hope Girls Hope Colorado (Drafting)
Alexa Van Dalsem, Alternatives for Youth (Drafting)

Thank You to the following foundations for supporting this process:

The Denver Foundation
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado
Anschutz Family Foundation

Thank You to the following:

Mojana Raje of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, for providing technical assistance with the CGR User’s Guide. We also thank the Packard Foundation for hosting www.coloradocommongrantforms.org, the user-friendly home of the CGR, the CGA, and the accompanying User’s Guides.

Peter Konrad, for allowing us to freely use materials from his book Financial Management for Nonprofits: Keys to Success.

The Colorado Nonprofit Association, for allowing us to freely copy materials from Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado.

Nell Maguire of Spring Creative Communication Design, for designing the CGR logo.

Special thanks to the following individuals who participated in the Beta Test of the CGA. Their experience and feedback led to the creation of the final version of the application itself and the accompanying User’s Guide.

Thank You to those nonprofit leaders who participated in the Beta Test. The nonprofit participants wrote a mock report using the new CGR, responded to a questionnaire to provide their feedback, and participated in a focus group conversation to have a more in-depth conversation on the experience of using the revised CGR. We salute their willingness to give of their time so generously to help ensure that the CGR would be an effective tool.

Laura Carlson, Invest In Kids
Renee Dees, The Senior Hub
Dana Duran, Boys & Girls Club of Craig
Linda Ellegard, Special Kids Special Families
Michael Foote, Eco-Cycle
Jennifer Gardner, Wray Community Child Care Center
Wendy Hawthorne, Groundwork Denver
Melinda Higgs, Colorado Nonprofit Development Center
Laura Hines, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Janet Hollingsworth, Hilltop
Brian Kelley, Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence
Lisa Kitchen, Colorado Bright Beginnings
Frank Peek, San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society
Scott Penner, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Karla Peskuski, T.A.R.A. Historical Society
Ida Rhodes, Catholic Charities of Pueblo
Robert Scott, Hinsdale Historical Society
Stuart Steers, Focus Points Community Resource Center
Lynne Telford, Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Marie Verrett, Art from Ashes

Thank You to those grantmakers who participated in the Beta Test. The following individuals with grant-reviewing experience reviewed the mock reports, provided feedback on a questionnaire, and attended meetings to have more in-depth conversations regarding their experience in reviewing the new CGR.

Erin Binford, Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
Jody Camp, The Women’s Foundation
Matt Carpenter, El Pomar Foundation
Lisa Flores, Gates Family Foundation
Janice Fritsch, Kenneth King Foundation
Whitney Johnson, Anschutz Family Foundation
Julie Lerudis, Boettcher Foundation
Cathy Lopez Wessell, Bright Mountain Foundation
Rita McCusker, Daniels Fund
Mary Shipsey Gunn, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Christiano Sosa, The Denver Foundation
Oz Spies, The Denver Foundation
Michelle Sturm, Anschutz Family Foundation
Roxane White, The Timothy & Bernadette Marquez Foundation

Thank You to the following grantmakers, whose representatives provided additional support and feedback to the working group creating the financial attachments section of the CGR.

A.V. Hunter Trust
Adolph Coors Foundation
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
Bright Mountain Foundation
Caring for Colorado Foundation
Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley
Daniels Fund
Denver Foundation (The)
El Pomar Foundation
Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation
Rose Community Foundation
Telluride Foundation (The)
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: COMMON GRANT APPLICATION FOR CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

Thank you to Lisa Flores, Senior Program Officer with the Gates Family Foundation for spearheading the effort to customize the CGA to better serve the interests of capital grantmakers. Julie Lerudis and Katie Kramer with the Boettcher Foundation participated in the effort as well. The following grantmakers provided input to ensure the form would suit their purposes:

Noah Atencio, Daniels Fund
Jeanne Bistranin, Adolph Coors Foundation
Karen Mather, Gates Family Foundation
Cindy Willard, Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation