SCG Community-led COVID-19 Recovery Action Accelerator
Frequently Asked Questions
I was not able to join the Information Session held on May 28th but is it possible to access the recording and the presentation slide deck?
Access to the recording of the information session can be found here and the slide deck shared during that session can be found here.
How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
This is an opportunity for community-facing and state-based organizations that include and serve families, students, and educators. If you currently work with, and on behalf, of one of these groups, you should demonstrate that you intend to include the other groups in your planning and execution.
If you are an organization with a 501(c)(3) designation, you are eligible. Coalitions, site-based affiliates, or other informally organized efforts are eligible too, assuming they include an organization with a 501 (c)(3) designation who can act as a fiscal sponsor. 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) organizations are ineligible.
What if my project budget is not exactly $25,000?
Awards will be made of up to $25,000 per participating organization to execute a three-month project designed in collaboration with, and to address the priorities of, families, students, and educators on COVID-19 recovery ideas for the coming (2020-21) school year. Your idea may not require that level of support or you may have a larger budget and plan to leverage other funds. Either scenario is okay; what is important is that you clearly state the amount of funding required and you explain how it will be used to advance your idea. If you need, or plan to use, additional funding, be sure to note its source and whether you have secured it. (Due to the timebound nature of this work, we will only be able to support projects that either are sole-source funded through this opportunity, or have the additional funding needed in hand.)
What if my project timeline is not within the time window?
Your project may take less time to implement, but not more. All project activities must conclude by October 31, 2020. (You should shoot to have a measurable outcome by the end of the project window.)
How many points of contact/staff should be included in this project?
Past participants in Action Accelerators have found it helpful to have a primary point of contact plus at least one additional person who is actively engaged in the work. The primary point of contact should be the person responsible for organizing and executing the project.
Beyond actually implementing our project, what additional time commitment is required to be part of the Learning Community?
The Learning Community component of the Action Accelerator requires consistent and regular participation. On average, you should expect to dedicate approximately seven (7) hours per month between July and November 2020. Action Accelerator participants must commit to the following key activities:
Opening Virtual Convening in July (up to nine hours over two days)
Monthly Learning Community Webinar (60 to 90 minutes)
Learning Community Virtual Working Sessions (60 to 90 minutes twice per month), n.b. as these are designed to be opportunities for you to virtually connect with your peers, you may be required to join one session while the additional session is optional. Still, you should budget time for both.
On-demand (and by request) Seek Common Ground Coaching Sessions (approximately 90 minutes per month), n.b. we will check in with you at least once per month over the duration of the project, that may take 15 minutes. You may need access to allies and coaching for several hours over the course of the work, so 90 minutes is an inexact estimate.
Closing Virtual Convening in November (up to nine hours over two days)
How do I submit my Expression of Interest?
Submit your Expression of Interest via this form. If you would like to preview the full application, click here to download.
How long should my Expression of Interest be?
Part One of your EOI should be no longer than five (5) pages using Word 12 point+ font size. You can choose how much emphasis you wish to place on any particular question, and we have not prescribed word count—except for Section V, the project synopsis, which should be no more than 150 words. Attachments count towards the page limit, except Section IX, the letter of support.
Part Two of your EOI is a combination of due diligence documentation and additional detail on your project idea, partners, and demonstrable capability to conduct the work. There are word limits for the additional details sections.
Do we need to have all potential partner groups confirmed by the EOI Part I deadline (June 10) or is it enough to state who we intend to work with?
The North star for this work is families, students, and educators. We are going to strongly suggest that a connection with one of those three groups, at a minimum, already be documented in your work and there be demonstration of engagement with the other two groups. For example: We already work closely with educators but we don't have a lot of experience in working with families and students. However, we have identified a student voice group and a parent organization to work with on this project. Here is the information about who represents those organizations. The more potential coalition partners, collaborators, community leaders, activists, and concerned citizens who are engaged, the better.
What are the key dates we should plan around?
Friday, May 22: Expression of Interest and FAQ live on SCG website
Thursday, May 28 (1:00 PM EDT): Zoom Information Session (registration required)
Wednesday, June 10 (5:00 PM EDT): Part I of Expressions of Interest due (via Google Form)
Monday, June 15: Finalists announced, and all applicants notified of their status via email.
Monday, June 22 (5:00 PM EDT): Part Two of Expressions of Interest due from Finalists (via Google Form)
Thursday, July 2: Project Awardees (Learning Community Members) announced, and all Finalists notified of their status via email.
By the end of July: Accepted projects will receive funding and commence work.
Who will be reviewing our proposal and what will they be looking for in our Expression of Interest?
The Seek Common Ground team will review each submitted Expression of Interest. Eligible Finalist EOIs will have an external review in addition to the Seek Common Ground team.
If we are selected to participate, when and how will we receive funding?
Project award payments will be made through SCG’s fiscal sponsor, the New Venture Fund (NVF), which requires certain due diligence information. If you do not have or cannot provide any of the below, contact us so we can figure out an accommodation. Once we have agreed to work together, SCG will present a Memorandum of Understanding to you for approval by your fiscal sponsor. This will be the formal agreement that allows us to fund your efforts.
NVF takes about 3-4 weeks to process payments, once all documents are submitted. NVF keeps these documents on file for a year. If you have previously participated in an SCG Action Accelerator within the last year, you will not need to resubmit the due diligence information.
If we are not selected to participate in the Action Accelerator, will we know why?
We are committed to transparency throughout the process and will follow up with each applicant as to why we were unable to support their application.
We will also present applicants’ project and partnership ideas to our funding community partners.
Please send additional questions here.
Last updated: Monday, June 15, 2020.