The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) spent much of 2004 gathering information about our performance as seen through the eyes of grantees and applicants. Believing strongly in accountability and quality improvement, we wanted to identify and examine our strengths and weaknesses.
We engaged the Center for Effective Philanthropy to conduct a confidential survey of our 2002 and 2003 grantees and applicants. In addition, the foundation asked The National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University to help guide CT Health through a self-assessment process. The results of these assessments have informed much of the work of the Foundation in 2005 as we incorporate the information about areas in which we need to improve as well as those on which we want to continue to build.
What did we learn? While the Connecticut Health Foundation rated above average in almost every category, we also found areas that need improvement. We received positive feedback for clearly communicating our goals and strategies to our grantees -- essential in building the foundation-grantee relationship. Another identified strength is that our grantees see us as “going beyond” -- providing not just funding, but valuable technical assistance and other non-monetary support that they need to do their work.
The concerns that were raised included: lack of timely responses to information requests; lack of clarity about CT Health’s expectations in certain areas; failure to convey approachability; uncertainty about the foundation’s understanding of some organizations and communities.
We take very seriously all of the findings and have spent much of 2005 working to develop systems protocols in order to become a better partner with our grantees. Our customer pledge is our promise. We are committed to open communication with the public, grantees, and applicants. We are reviewing our grant guidelines to make sure they are clear and specific. We are making sure that staff is trained and ready to answer questions. We are incorporating explicit criteria in our grant-making, taking into account the merits of programs, organizational capacity, and commitment to cultural and linguistic competence. We have developed protocols to ensure that anyone contacting CT Health will have inquiries answered in a timely manner.
While all who seek funding would like to be successful, we all understand that this is not possible. What we can promise is that each application will be reviewed both internally and externally with clear criteria, and applicants will receive timely and clear communication throughout the review and determination process.
The Georgetown assessment has led CT Health to revise its mission statement to incorporate explicitly our commitment to diversity and cultural and linguistic competence; require grantee organizations to show their commitment to cultural and linguistic competence; and restructure our community advisory committee. We understand that there is not an “end point” to achieving cultural and linguistic competence; rather, CT Health is committed to the journey and will continually reflect, learn, and assess its performance.
Thanks to those who have helped us in this process and know that we welcome your comments at any time.
The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) spent much of 2004 gathering information about our performance as seen through the eyes of grantees and applicants. Believing strongly in accountability and quality improvement, we wanted to identify and examine our strengths and weaknesses.