Colorado's Common Grant Application

Background

Why change the Common Grant Report?
Is this something entirely new?
Who created the revised CGR?
What was the process for revising the CGR?

Have regulatory agencies “signed-off” on these documents?
When will the CGR be revised again?

What is New?

What are the enhancements to the CGR?
In addition to the changes in content, what else is new?
How does the enhanced CGR benefit me as a nonprofit?
The new CGR is asking for different information than the old CGR. Do I get more space?

Using the Common Grant Report

Do all grantmakers accept the CGR as it is?
Is it possible that grantmakers will accept both the CGR and use their own format?
Is this an online application?
Will you help me find a grant?
If I have questions about the CGR, who do I contact?
How do I sign up to use the Common Grant Report?
How can I control access to my information?

Background

Why change the Common Grant Report? The Common Grant Application was revised in 2008 and this change in the Common Grant Report (CGR) corresponds to those revisions. Additionally, the revised CGR has been changed to gather more relevant, non-repetitive information in a more streamlined fashion.

Is this something entirely new ? No, the Common Grant Report builds upon the tried and trusted tool that has served Colorado (and many national) grantmakers well since its launch in 2002. Today’s version is an outgrowth of the older version and corresponds to the Common Grant Application, which was revised in 2008.

Who created the revised CGR? The effort was led by an inclusive group of funders, nonprofit leaders, and technical assistance organizations that represented a wide array of large and grassroots organizations across many funding areas. See Acknowledgments for a complete list of participants.

What was the process for revising the CGR? The revision process included that surveys, focus groups, beta-testing, and other strategies to make sure the tool would be user-friendly and comprehensive as possible.

When will the CGR be revised again? We anticipate that the CGR will be revised again when there is a need to do so. The last edition of the CGR served Colorado for seven years and we hope that this document will have a similarly long shelf life.

What is New?

What are the enhancements to the CGR? The primary enhancement is that the revised CGR is designed to support best practices in the nonprofit sector, streamlining the reporting process for the grant recipients, and allow for reflection on how to improve the organization's operations and programs. The new summary sheet form also allows for easy data entry into most grants management software, whereas the new User's Guide also provides a critical body of knowledge, best practices, and advice for writers as they approach the revised CGR.

In addition to the changes in content, what else is new in the revised CGR? There are two significant new features.

Website: The first significant enhancement is the flexible, stand-alone website that houses both the CGA, the CGR, and their accompanying User's Guides. The website is a “one-stop shop” for foundations and grantseekers because it includes all of the accompanying documents and resources including the Common Grant Application.

User’s Guide: The second significant enhancement is the carefully crafted User’s Guide. The User’s Guide adds clarity to the reporting process, replacing the previous 'Tips for Users' document. Our beta-testing process revealed that both grantmakers and grantseekers found the User’s Guide extremely helpful in improving the clarity and quality of grant reports.

The User’s Guide provides information related to the intention of each component of the CGR for the purpose of helping report writers provide meaningful information. The User’s guide explains the focus of each question and provides commentary on why a particular issue is important.

Lastly, the User’s Guide is designed to mitigate fears many nonprofits have about the grantmaking process by being as transparent and articulate as possible about what grantmakers are looking for. Additionally, the CGR User's Guide emphasizes that there is no one “right answer” - that grantmakers recognize that all organizations are a work in progress, and that organizations and organizational practices exist along a continuum of sophistication.

How does the enhanced CGA benefit me as a nonprofit? Nonprofits will benefit in five ways:

The CGR is cost effective: Nonprofits will be able to complete one report that can be tailored to meet the reporting needs of multiple foundations, freeing up more of their time to work on mission, instead of spending their time complying with many foundations' unique reporting requirements.
The CGR incorporates new technology: The CGR and its accompanying User's Guide are both available on a stand alone website in an easy-to-use, fillable format.
The CGR promotes additional support and resources: The User’s Guide has been created to accompany the Common Grant Report. This comprehensive document provides clarity on the intention of each component of the CGR and offers resources to nonprofits for further exploration and education.
The CGR leads to better grant reports: The structure of the revised CGR has more clarity and less repetition than the former CGR, resulting in reports that are more succinct and streamlined. In addition, the CGR allows the grantseeker to tell their story more fluidly and eliminates many of the redundancies that were challenging for both funders and nonprofits.

The new CGR is asking for different information than the old CGR. Do I get more space?No. The 2002 CGR contained up to eleven questions, and allowed for four pages of narrative (plus attachments). The 2009 revised CGR has up to only four questions, and consequently allows for three pages of narrative (plus attachments).

Using the Common Grant Report

Do all grantmakers accept the CGR as it is? No. Just like the 2002 version of the CGR, many funders will use the CGR as a stand alone tool, while others will choose to adapt it to meet the needs of their foundation. This is why it is critical that each nonprofit research each grantmaker’s reporting requirements.

Is it possible that grantmakers will accept both the CGR and use their own format? Yes. Some foundations will only accept the CGR (i.e. this is the only reporting mechanism they use). Other foundations give nonprofits the choice of submitting the CGR or an application format stipulated by the grantmaker.

Is this an online report? No. You are able to download the application online, save it to your computer, and then submit it to a particular grantmaker. If a grantmaker has an online reporting process, they will provide you with specific instructions regarding their process.

Will you help me find a grant? No. Nonprofit grant guides and many other grant-writing resources are available to you in the community. This website is not staffed and as such it is unable to mail, e-mail, recommend, or distribute your CGA or CGR to other funders.

If I have questions about the CGR, who do I contact? Just like the last CGR, there is no single person to contact regarding questions about the CGR. Part of the reason for developing the User’s Guide is to help assist you with your questions and to offer resources should you need clarity on the questions asked. It is always appropriate to contact specific grantmakers with questions that arise regarding applying to their foundation.

How do I sign up to use the Common Grant Report? You do not need to sign up or register with any organization or person to use the CGR.

How can I control access to my information? You are in control of your information. This website does not store your information, nor does it distribute or forward your information on to others.