The Challenge Is On:
Making Sense of Your Challenge Grant
Q. What is a Challenge Grant?
A. A Challenge Grant, sometimes called a Matching Grant, matches funds raised by the grant-seeking organization. The funder gives a grant equal to the cash contributions an organization raises, up to a specified amount, usually from specified sources.
A Sample Challenge Grant
Q. Specified sources? What do you mean?
A. We generally require that an organization submits contributions from new donors, people who have never given to the organization, to meet the challenge award. Increased contributions from an existing donor may also be counted toward your Challenge.
For Unitarian Universalist organizations, Faithify is a fundraising resource on a UU crowdsourcing platform.
Click here to learn more.
Additionally, only gifts made after the date of the grant may be counted. Sometimes the grant award letter will be more specific – “members of UU congregations” for example.
Q. But why? We need funds now!
A. The UU Funding Program is not a sustaining funder. For on-going programs to succeed a strong base of local support needs to be developed. Even for shorter term projects, it is important to solicit contributions for people to gain a sense of connection to the work and to each other.
Q. How does a Challenge Grant help us to grow our donor base?
A. A Challenge Grant is a proven fundraising tool. It gives you a great excuse to fundraise and to ask your board to fundraise, too. People get excited when they learn their contribution will be effectively doubled by a matching grant. It lends credibility to a project, and boosts giving by providing time restrictions on a fundraising effort.
Q. We raised the money. Now, how do we claim the Challenge Grant?
A. Only new or increased contributions from individuals will qualify as matching funds, and they must be deposited into the grantee’s or its fiscal agent’s account. Your organization's Treasurer may email us, stating stating that “$X,XXX has been deposited for (the named Project) since (the Grant Award Date) and we are requesting a check for the Challenge Grant monies be issued in the amount of $X,XXX."
Q. Do we have to raise it all before making our request?
A. You do not have to wait until you’ve raised the entire Challenge amount before you request Challenge funds. We do ask that you request matching funds in increments of $500 or more.
Q. How long does it take to get our matching check?
A. We turn your request around as quickly as possible, sometimes within a week, always within one month.
Q. How long do we have to raise our Challenge?
A. The Challenge is on for one year from the date of your award letter. If you need an extension, please contact the us before the deadline.
A. A Challenge Grant, sometimes called a Matching Grant, matches funds raised by the grant-seeking organization. The funder gives a grant equal to the cash contributions an organization raises, up to a specified amount, usually from specified sources.
A Sample Challenge Grant
Q. Specified sources? What do you mean?
A. We generally require that an organization submits contributions from new donors, people who have never given to the organization, to meet the challenge award. Increased contributions from an existing donor may also be counted toward your Challenge.
For Unitarian Universalist organizations, Faithify is a fundraising resource on a UU crowdsourcing platform.
Click here to learn more.
Additionally, only gifts made after the date of the grant may be counted. Sometimes the grant award letter will be more specific – “members of UU congregations” for example.
Q. But why? We need funds now!
A. The UU Funding Program is not a sustaining funder. For on-going programs to succeed a strong base of local support needs to be developed. Even for shorter term projects, it is important to solicit contributions for people to gain a sense of connection to the work and to each other.
Q. How does a Challenge Grant help us to grow our donor base?
A. A Challenge Grant is a proven fundraising tool. It gives you a great excuse to fundraise and to ask your board to fundraise, too. People get excited when they learn their contribution will be effectively doubled by a matching grant. It lends credibility to a project, and boosts giving by providing time restrictions on a fundraising effort.
Q. We raised the money. Now, how do we claim the Challenge Grant?
A. Only new or increased contributions from individuals will qualify as matching funds, and they must be deposited into the grantee’s or its fiscal agent’s account. Your organization's Treasurer may email us, stating stating that “$X,XXX has been deposited for (the named Project) since (the Grant Award Date) and we are requesting a check for the Challenge Grant monies be issued in the amount of $X,XXX."
Q. Do we have to raise it all before making our request?
A. You do not have to wait until you’ve raised the entire Challenge amount before you request Challenge funds. We do ask that you request matching funds in increments of $500 or more.
Q. How long does it take to get our matching check?
A. We turn your request around as quickly as possible, sometimes within a week, always within one month.
Q. How long do we have to raise our Challenge?
A. The Challenge is on for one year from the date of your award letter. If you need an extension, please contact the us before the deadline.