The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking: How Foundations Find, Fund, and Manage Effective Programs

Declining Requests After Site Visits

After a site visit, particularly a late-in-the-process site visit, applicants have, in Mark Twain's memorable phrase, “the serene confidence which a Christian feels in four aces.” Nothing can disturb this unshakable belief that their request will be funded. Fortunately for all involved, due to the fact that most program officers visit only those projects that the foundation is seriously considering, most usually are funded. However, on those rare occasions when a site visit turns up too many troubling issues to support the request, it becomes necessary to trump those four aces (as it were) with a decline. You should expect anguish and anger whenever you have to make such a call. There are, however, a few things ...