Our Review Process – DCF | Denver Children's Foundation

OVERVIEW

Capitalizing on more than three decades in fundraising and grantmaking, the Denver Children’s Foundation (DCF) and its 100 professional members dedicate more than 1,250 hours annually to evaluate and to select the best-of-the-best charities from a pool of more than 150+ annual grant applicants.

DCF members activate their personal and professional networks to support our mission, host and staff the events that raise funds, then apply their skills and competencies to review and to select the best charities in which to invest. That’s right…DCF members act to steward the funds they raise and NO outside consultant or non-DCF member can influence the review, selection, and grantmaking process.

And, investing in DCF means investing in the next generation of philanthropic, business, and social leaders in our community. Through their diligent reviews, DCF members learn about the complex needs of our community’s most vulnerable young people as they build their philanthropic skills and expand their social conscience.

PROCESS

Every year, DCF receives more than 150 grant applications from inspiring, deserving charities who do amazing work in our community. DCF members cannot fund them all and must select the best charities whose missions fit closest to our funding pillars and whose results speak loudest for the impact they have on the lives of children in need.

Think of what DCF does like a “hedge fund”, diving deeply into investment options (charities who apply) and surfacing the best options in which to invest precious funds (grants). Every DCF member evaluates one or more charity grant applications, conducting due diligence to evaluate leadership, program delivery, funding sources, budget, operations, risk and legal governance, and other performance parameters. Then, a member-elected Grant Review Committee scrutinize every member recommendation to establish a “portfolio” of proposed grantmaking investments. Finally, the entire DCF membership meets to refine, adjust, then vote to approve the portfolio.

Here’s a visual snapshot of the process.