SIF CLASSIC GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT 

Social Innovation Fund Classic Grant Program 

Readiness Assessment 

Introduction 

The Social Innovation Fund (SIF) is a powerful approach to transforming lives and communities that positions the 

federal government to be a catalyst for impact—mobilizing private resources to find and grow community solutions 

with evidence of results. SIF Classic grantmaking intermediaries must be ready to successfully identify, fund and 

support nonprofit organizations to implement, evaluate and scale evidence-based solutions that transform lives in 

low-income communities – and to do so in accordance with the SIF Classic Terms and Conditions and the OMB 

Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for 

Federal Awards). 

As a funder, you likely have great latitude in overseeing your grant programs. Your relationship with your grantees 

may be flexible, even informal at times. Federal grant programs, by contrast, must adhere to stringent rules and 

regulations, and must operate under firm mandates set by statute. 

While there are many benefits to becoming part of the SIF community of innovative, evidence-based grantmakers, 

the SIF is not easy money. Before you choose to apply for a SIF Classic grant, think carefully about whether your 

organization is prepared to meet the rigorous administrative, match funding, evaluation, and compliance 

requirements associated with the SIF Classic program. Furthermore, as a recipient of a federal award acting as a 

pass-through entity, you will have additional obligations for monitoring and oversight of your subgrantees. Finally, SIF 

Classic grantees are required to allocate time to participate in knowledge sharing activities, both within the SIF 

community and beyond. 

Instructions 

This self-assessment tool is designed to help you determine whether your organization is not only eligible to apply for 

a SIF Classic grant, but also ready to participate successfully in the SIF Classic program. The tool is broken out into 

three sections: (1) Organizational Eligibility; (2) Mission Fit; and (3) Organizational Capacity. The tool is meant to be 

self-administered and is best completed by key organizational leaders. 

SECTION I: ORGANIZATION ELIGIBILTY 

You MUST answer “Yes” to one of the two criteria in Section A to be eligible to apply for a SIF Classic grant. 

Item Yes No 

A. ELIGIBILITY 

1. We are an existing, experienced grantmaking institution that provides grants to 

nonprofit organizations as an essential means of fulfilling our mission, and grantmaking 

is a significant percentage of our annual operating budget. 

2. Our organization is part of an eligible partnership (e.g., established grantmaker(s) 

and/or state service commissions or local government) that would share grant 

responsibilities. 

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SIF CLASSIC GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND - CLASSIC
 
 

SECTION II: MISSION FIT 

While mission fit is not a requirement for eligibility, it is certainly a good indicator for whether this opportunity makes 

sense for your organization to pursue. The questions below will help you consider how well the SIF Classic program 

either aligns with your current practices or how it may help advance strategic goals. 

Item Yes No 

B. MISSION FIT 

1. The SIF Classic grant advances our mission and strategic goals. 

2. We have a demonstrated track record of providing grants to improve outcomes in the 

areas of healthy futures, economic opportunity, or youth development. 

3. Working through public-private partnerships is a key organizational strategy or goal for 

fulfilling our mission. 

4. Our Board is willing to commit significant organizational resources, both human and 

financial, to this initiative. 

5. We have sufficient organizational resources so that a SIF grant will not be negatively 

impacted by other ongoing initiatives’ needs for staff time, dollars, etc. 

SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY 

If awarded a grant, your organization must be prepared to adapt its policies and procedures and add new capacities 

as needed to undertake successful implementation of a SIF Classic grant. The following indicators will help you 

determine not only your basic readiness, but also the degree of organizational development and related investments 

that you may need to commit. 

Item Existing

Capacity 

Area for 

Capacity

Growth 

C. HUMAN RESOURCES 

1. We have existing full-time staff that we can redirect to work on required SIF 

startup tasks immediately after notification of grant award to be up and running 

within 30 days. 

Existing Capacity – staff have already been identified; 

Area for Capacity Growth – leadership will need to determine how to staff up. 

2. We have existing full-time staff, or we plan to hire qualified staff, to manage the 

SIF grant. 

Existing Capacity – staff have already been identified; 

Area for Capacity Growth – leadership will need to determine how to staff up. 

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SIF CLASSIC GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND - CLASSIC
 
 

SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY (Cont.) 

If awarded a grant, your organization must be prepared to adapt its policies and procedures and add new capacities 

as needed to undertake successful implementation of a SIF Classic grant. The following indicators will help you 

determine not only your basic readiness, but also the degree of organizational development and related investments 

that you may need to commit. 

Item Existing 

Capacity 

Area for 

Capacity 

Growth 

D. FEDERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

1. Our current finance staff has experience managing federal grants, including 

regranting and managing federal awards to subgrantees. 

Existing Capacity – 2 or more years of experience; 

Area for Capacity Growth – 1 or less years of experience. 

2. Our policies and procedures address federal award management requirements, 

including procurement, internal controls, financial reporting, subawards, and 

subgrantee monitoring and oversight. 

Existing Capacity – current policies comply with Uniform Guidance; 

Area for Capacity Growth – current policies will require revision in order to fully meet this 

criterion. 

Link: eCFR §200.302 Financial Management (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID=4ecd84505e66326c43f20ca00bb315ce&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1302&rgn=div8) 

3. Our financial management system tracks federal and match funds by source and 

application and our finance staff is experienced in how to use the system to track 

federal funds. 

Existing Capacity – our system is established and staff has experience on multiple federal 

grants; 

Area for Capacity Growth – we believe so, and our staff will need additional training. 

E. SUBGRANTEE SELECTION, MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL 

ASSISTANCE 

1. We have the capacity to identify and fund high–performing organizations outside 

of our network. 

Existing Capacity – we have the capacity and systems to expand beyond our existing 

network; 

Area for Capacity Growth – leadership will need to determine how to address this criterion. 

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SIF CLASSIC GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND - CLASSIC
 
 

SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY (Cont.) 

If awarded a grant, your organization must be prepared to adapt its policies and procedures and add new capacities 

as needed to undertake successful implementation of a SIF Classic grant. The following indicators will help you 

determine not only your basic readiness, but also the degree of organizational development and related investments 

that you may need to commit. 

Item Existing 

Capacity 

Area for 

Capacity 

Growth 

2. We have experience conducting risk assessments to select subgrantees and to 

determine subgrantee system strengths/gaps in order to inform monitoring and 

technical assistance plans. 

Existing Capacity – we have a system in place and staff is experienced in conducting risk 

assessments; 

Area for Capacity Growth – staff is familiar with the process and will need to develop a plan 

to do so. 

3. We have the capacity to provide oversight to insure subgrantees 1:1 match 

requirement is met. 

Existing Capacity – staff regularly provide support to subgrantees in this area; 

Area for Capacity Growth – staff will need training to provide subgrantee support. 

4. We have a system in place to ensure subgrantees receive training and technical 

assistance to implement their grant award in line with their terms and conditions. 

Existing Capacity – our system is established; 

Area for Capacity Growth – we need to develop a system. 

Link: CFR §200.328 Monitoring and reporting program performance 

(https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-sec200-

327.pdf) 

F. MATCH FUNDING 

At the time of application submittal we will have 50% of the first year’s non–federal 

cash match or commitments for the match. 

Existing Capacity – we have a combination of cash on–hand and commitments of at least 

50% of the first year's match; 

Area for Capacity Growth – we have a combination of cash on-hand and commitments for 

less than 50% of the first year’s match. 

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SIF CLASSIC GRANT READINESS ASSESSMENT SOCIAL INNOVATION FUND - CLASSIC
 
 

SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY (Cont.) 

If awarded a grant, your organization must be prepared to adapt its policies and procedures and add new capacities 

as needed to undertake successful implementation of a SIF Classic grant. The following indicators will help you 

determine not only your basic readiness, but also the degree of organizational development and related investments 

that you may need to commit. 

Item Existing 

Capacity 

Area for 

Capacity 

Growth 

G. EVIDENCE AND EVALUATION 

1. We have the capacity to help subgrantees undergo rigorous, independent, formal 

evaluations, in order to increase the level of evidence, thereby adding to the 

existing evidence base and developing greater understanding of what makes the 

program successful. 

Existing Capacity – leadership has identified strategies and grant scaling to do so; 

Area for Capacity Growth – leadership believes we can develop strategies and grant 

scaling to do so. 

2. We have experience providing technical assistance and monitoring for the 

evaluation activities of subgrantees. 

Existing Capacity – staff regularly provide support to subgrantees in this area; 

Area for Capacity Growth – staff will need training to provide subgrantee support. 

Now, review your responses to each item above. This assessment was designed to pose questions to help you think 

carefully about whether a SIF Classic grant is a good fit with your organizational priorities, as well as your readiness 

for the rigor of this program. Be aware that organizations selected as SIF Classic grantees have a tight timeline for 

getting started. Shortly after being approved for funding, for example, grantees have just 15 days to submit their 

subgrantee selection plan for approval. 

Your organization may be eligible to apply for the SIF Classic program based on your responses in Section I. 

However, if the self-assessment of the fit of SIF with your mission in Section II includes multiple no’s and/or your 

current capacity in the key areas in Section III requires significant development, you should seriously consider 

whether the investment of your organization’s staff time and effort to apply for a Social Innovation Fund grant is 

appropriate at this time. 

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