FUNDING PROCESS

In its role as one of Missouri’s Community Partnership organizations, ARCHS receives directed federal, state, and regional funding that stipulates specific programming design and deliverables.

ARCHS' Funding Priorities:

  • Early Childhood Initiatives
  • School-Age Initiatives
  • Family Support Initiatives

ARCHS uses a Request for Proposal (RFP) process when it has funding available. These RFPs are posted on ARCHS website and social media.

Our Commitment to the
Funded Partner Experience

The St. Louis philanthropic community envisions a future in which grant making is relational and funded partner-funder relationships reflect strong partnerships that lead to meaningful, long-lasting, positive change for the St. Louis region. The funders and philanthropy-supporting organizations listed below (including ARCHS) are united in our intention to 1) promise the following to all potential funded partners and/or 2) support the following best practices within the field of philanthropy:

  • 1. Communication
  • Staff Contact. We will designate a named staff member to contact directly about your proposal/grant. Staff continuity is a priority.
  • Prompt Response. We will provide prompt and respectful responses to all inquiries within and outside of the grant process within three business days (or notification if the staff member you are contacting is out of the office).
  • Proactive Approach. We will provide proactive and transparent communication to support your timely and effective preparation and participation in our public processes.
  • 2. Grant making Process
  • Timeline and Consideration. We will provide well-defined and realistic expectations about the proposal/application process, including fair and timely consideration of all grant requests.
  • Consistency. We will ensure the provision of consistent information about our policies and procedures, including the requirements for completing and submitting grant applications/reports and how to request support and/or changes.
  • Performance Management. We will use performance metrics as an opportunity to learn and propose possible modifications.
  • 3. Relationship
  • You are an Expert. We value the knowledge and experience you bring to the partnership. We will strive to continuously learn about your organization’s strategies, challenges, and the context in which you work.
  • Sharing Resources. Whenever we are able, we will help connect you to our resources, perspectives, and approaches (as requested) to support strong programs/organizations and amplify community impact.
  • Assume Best Intentions. We will engage with you from a perspective of learning and growing together. We will strive to create a genuine and honest relationship, assuming the best intentions of everyone involved.
  • Funded Partner Feedback

We also encourage funded partners to directly provide honest feedback about what is and is not working, so we can improve our own individual processes and practices. We are committed to integrating as much feedback as possible and to share with you how your feedback has changed and improved our processes.
Possible items might include: 
• Proposal/application review process
• Interaction with staff members
• Clarity of guidelines and other communications
• Reporting requirements
• Training and available resources
• Any other topic related to your experience that will help improve our grant making efforts

 

If you would like to provide feedback to us directly, please email us at [email protected]. Your feedback will be reviewed internally and, when appropriate, you will receive a response that addresses your questions and/or concerns.

The principles in this commitment were researched, created, and adopted in 2019 by: ARCHS, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Kranzberg Family Foundation, Philanthropy Missouri, Saint Louis MHB, Staenberg Family Foundation, United Way of Greater St. Louis, and Women’s Auxiliary Foundation.