MSI grants may be used to pay for necessary, one-time, out-of-pocket costs incurred in exploring or implementing a strategic partnership or sustained collaboration. After a consultation with the MSI Director, eligible organizations will be invited to apply for the grant most appropriate for where they are in the partnership process. Organizations may be invited to apply for two or three different grant types over the course of a partnership process. The maximum amount that may be awarded is $75,000 across all three grant types.
Pre-Exploratory
Pre-exploratory grants provide funding for an organization to assess its readiness to engage in a strategic partnership, or for multiple organizations to either assess their preliminary compatibility or define their goals before exploring a formal partnership. These grants are often used for single-organization assessments or for the cost of a facilitator, space, and food for meeting(s) with the key decision-makers of multiple organizations.
The maximum amount available for a pre-exploratory grant is $5,000.
Exploratory
Exploratory grants provide support to two or more organizations as they engage in good faith negotiations regarding a strategic partnership. These grants are often used for consultants to assist with planning, structure evaluation, and negotiation or for outside financial, HR, or facilities experts to assist with due diligence. Before receiving approval to apply for this grant, organizations must have:
- Evidence of support from the boards of all partnering organizations.
- Scopes or estimates from all consultants or service providers.
Exploratory grants range from $5,000 to $75,000.
Implementation
Implementation grants help cover the one-time costs of implementing partnerships once they have been finalized. These grants are often used for donor database, technology, branding, cultural, and financial integration; directors and officers tail insurance; moving costs; and closing out contracts or leases for property or equipment.
Before receiving approval to apply for this grant, organizations must have:
- A finalized agreement between the partnering organizations.
- Scopes or estimates from all consultants or service providers.
Implementation grants range from $5,000 to $75,000.
The Funders Committee will consider public relations requests that make up a modest percentage of a grant request on a case-by-case basis, particularly in light of COVID-19 and due to an overall desire to increase awareness about strategic partnerships.