How To Apply

How to Apply

Welcome to the Quad Cities Contributors Council strategic campaign review process. The members of the Contributors Council thank you for taking the time to engage in this collaborative process to ensure that strategic campaigns in the Quad Cities have the best chance of succeeding and supporting our shared community.

Process Overview
The process can now be completed through a streamlined, online submission format. Through contracted support of the Quad Cities Contributors Council, Quad Cities Community Foundation staff are always available to see you through this process. You’ll need a unique code to register so when you are ready to get started, please contact Whitney Smith at 563-326-2840 or

whitneysmith@qccommunityfoundation.org.

Resource: Readiness Self-Assessment
This optional tool is designed to help you determine your organization’s readiness, consider key questions with your team, and help you gather the information needed for a project and campaign. You may use it at any time, and you do not need to complete or submit it as part of this process. The information gathered will be useful when meeting with a volunteer QCCC member and completing the QCCC application.

Download the Readiness Self-Assessment

Step 1: Pre-application
You’ll start by completing a short pre-application form to gather basic information about your organization and potential campaign. Complete it with all the information available to you at this time about the strategic campaign your organization is considering.

Download a sample Pre-Application to preview the content.

Step 2: Member Discussion
After submission of the Pre-Application Form, you will have the chance to meet with a Contributors Council member to discuss your project and brainstorm ways to strengthen your campaign in the context of the current fundraising landscape. (This step is optional, but encouraged as we hope to build relationships and knowledge across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.)

Step 3: Application
Now that you have completed the Pre-Application Form, met with a Contributors Council member, and have advanced further in preparing for your campaign, you have more information to provide in the campaign review process, via this Application Form. This step might happen weeks, months, or a year after your pre-application – it is up to your organization. If there are any areas for which you still do not have detailed answers, please provide whatever information and context you do have.

Download a sample Full Application to preview the content.

Step 4: Review Meeting
Once your application is submitted we’ll connect you with a professional reviewer. This in person, on-site visit will give the reviewer a chance to meet your leadership team, clarify any questions, and summarize key points for QCCC members. This step usually needs to happen within 2 weeks of submitting your application if your campaign is to be considered at the next Contributors Council meeting.

Step 5: Council Consideration
At their next regularly scheduled meeting, QCCC members will review and discuss the application in the context of the current fundraising and service landscape. The current evaluation criteria the Council use when reviewing strategic campaigns are:

Project Benefit to the Quad Cities

Demonstrates a meaningful, positive impact on a significant community need or opportunity, based on who will benefit, how, and how much.
Aligns clearly with the organization's mission, campaign purpose, and regional priorities.
Enhances or increases a coordinated network of resources for the Quad Cities and its people.

Campaign Priority and Timing

Establishes the campaign as a clear priority within the organization.
Sets realistic fundraising and project goals and dedicates sufficient resources to achieve them.
Provides a compelling case why the campaign should proceed at this time.

Organization Stability and Project Sustainability

Demonstrates financial and operational stability, ensuring the capacity to undertake the campaign.
Maintains a strong track record of stability in staffing, volunteer engagement, programs, and financial health.
Provides a plan for sustaining the project's outcomes and long-term impact.
Identifies risks and barriers, and how it plans to address them.

Step 6: Decision & Feedback
Once the Council has decided to endorse, or not endorse, your campaign, you’ll receive their decision and constructive guidance. Organizations receive an endorsement letter (for public use), a feedback letter (for private use), and a list of specific Contributors Council members who have issued individual invitations to apply.