Additional Information
MAP Guidelines and How to Apply
The Meyer Management Assistance Program makes grants of up to $25,000 to strengthen the management and leadership of Meyer grantees. MAP funds are available to help organizations to strengthen executive and board leadership, undertake planning and assessment, and improve financial management and planning. Only current Meyer grantees are eligible for management assistance. Eligibility extends for two years from the date of an organization's last Meyer grant award.MAP Reporting and Evaluation
Organizations that receive MAP grants are required to share their experiences with the Meyer Foundation to help the Foundation improve the program and help other grantees.MAP Sample Grants
Some examples of recent MAP grants may help you determine whether MAP funding is right for your organization.Management Assistance Program
Meyer's Management Assistance Program provides grants to help Meyer grantees strengthen their management and leadership so they can serve the community more effectively. Organizations generally use MAP grants to hire consultants to help board and staff accomplish work that requires time, energy, and innovative thinking beyond everyday operations.
MAP funds are available to help organizations
- strengthen executive and board leadership
- conduct organizational planning and assessment
- improve financial management and planning.
MAP grants have proven especially helpful for groups experiencing significant organizational transitions such as major shifts in funding sources, the departure of a founder, or rapid growth.
The application process for MAP grants is similar to the LOI process for Meyer's general grantmaking. MAP applications are accepted on the same dates as all other Meyer LOIs. Exceptions may be made for organizations that need urgent assistance.
To learn more about the Management Assistance Program, review the 2007 Guidelines and download the 2007 Cover Sheet. If your organization has been asked to submit a MAP proposal, download the MAP Proposal Checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can we apply for a MAP grant and a regular grant at the same time?
A. Yes.
Q. Can we use our MAP grant to pay staff salaries and overhead?
A. No. Although we recognize that management assistance projects do require staff time and other organizational support, the MAP program was created to allow organizations to seek external assistance above and beyond the core operating budget. Staff salaries and other organizational overhead costs are supported through Meyer's regular grantmaking.
Q. Do we have to use a consultant approved by Meyer?
A. No. If requested, Meyer can suggest several consultants who have a proven track record and might be a good fit for the project. However, the final choice of consultant is up to the grant recipient. You will need to identify a consultant and submit their work plan as part of the final MAP proposal.
Q. How much should we request?
A. MAP grants range between $5,000 and $25,000. You should request the amount needed to complete the project. Before submitting a letter of inquiry, we suggest having preliminary conversations with two or three potential consultants to identify the appropriate range for the request.
Q. Are MAP grants competitive?
A. Meyer receives many more MAP requests than we are able to fund. Based on the factors we consider when reviewing letters of inquiry, here are some guidelines that may help you determine whether your request is likely to be funded. In general, the most successful management assistance requests:
- address management and leadership issues that affect the organization as a whole, rather than a single department or program
- come at a strategic moment for the organization, such as a leadership transition, a period of rapid growth or expansion, or significant change in a program or income stream
- are focused on a single problem or issue, rather than a patchwork of unrelated management problems
- are critical to the organization's long-term success in achieving its mission
Q. How quickly does Meyer make a decision on MAP grants?
A. The application process involves several steps, including a site visit with the program officer, identification of a consultant, and submission of a detailed proposal. The process may take anywhere from two to six months. Generally, the length of the process depends on your responsiveness in submitting a full proposal. If the project is urgent, we will make every effort to move quickly.
Q. Can we apply for a second MAP grant as a follow-up to the first?
A. Possibly. Please keep in mind, however, that MAP support for a project such as strategic planning or program evaluation does not imply – and does not usually lead to – subsequent support for activities or recommendations generated as a result of the MAP grant.
Q. Can we combine two or three items into a single MAP request?
A. Most organizations are only able to focus on one or two MAP projects simultaneously, since working with a consultant usually requires staff time, board participation, and other organizational resources. However, if you feel the projects are closely related and the organization has the capacity to support all components of the MAP request, you should define the project in the way that best meets your needs.