Project Redwood welcomes feedback at any time; we love to hear from Partners, classmates, family and friends. We want our grants to be impactful, and our process to be efficient, so we’re always looking to improve. Back in December, the Board of Directors solicited thoughts, critiques, and comments via an on-line survey with 14 substantive questions that focused on grant impact, project portfolio considerations, long-term direction, and classmate involvement.
Forty-seven Stanford GSB 1980 classmates offered their insights. One name was drawn at random for a prize; see the end of this post to learn the winner’s name, and a description of the prize.
First, though, have a look at the survey results below.
Grant Impact
Respondents identified youth education, standard of living (clean water, adequate housing, etc), and job training projects as highest impact and highest priority; they saw addressing the critical needs of the severely poor and providing open funds to the poor to use as they see fit as less effective in the long term.
Q1: What kinds of projects do you think have the most lasting impact on poverty?
Q2: If you had to focus spending, what would be your top three priorities?
Respondents generally confirmed the importance of elements of the application evaluation criteria that Project Redwood has used in the last several years. They judged achievability, sustainability, and entrepreneurial characteristics as most important, but ability to use Project Redwood non-financial support as less important.
Q3: How important are the following factors to achieving impact?
Q4: Comments on impact. (selected comments)
“Support rights for women and girls; educate women specifically, including access to family planning and entrepreneurship.”
“We need to look at integrated programs that allow the poor to earn income, increase their knowledge,and achieve standard of living beyond subsistence.”
“It is difficult to rank [factors] as you have requested. I believe that Project Redwood is more likely to find opportunities with organizations that have more maturity and depth.”
“Do you know what has made past Project Redwood projects successful?”
Portfolio Considerations
Respondents neared consensus on three key elements of portfolio direction; but responses were widely spread on two others.
Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9: Project Redwood should… [choose A, B, C, or D]:
Q10: Comments on portfolio considerations (selected comments)
“Continue to support the interests and passions of the GSB 1980 classmates, whether or not that leads us to focus.”
“Given that this is classmate driven, we should try to do as many projects as possible…from a grantees point of view, we look good on their resume.”
Long-Term Direction
Most respondents favored some form of Project Redwood outreach and direction.
Q13: Regarding future direction, Project Redwood should…
Q14: Comments about long-term direction (selected comments)
“At the point where the Board cries because of great opportunities that can’t be funded, then expand the base.”
“I feel that my measly annual contribution is reasonably well-spent, and that’s good enough for me.”
Classmate Involvement
Respondents value key aspects of Project Redwood but limited free time may be a deterrent to increasing involvement.
Q11: What factors make involvement in Project Redwood important to you?
Q12: What might help increase your involvement with Project Redwood?
Next Steps
Thanks to all who shared their opinions. Learnings from the survey will inform new and on-going initiatives to assess grant impact, refine the process for evaluating applications, embark on an incubator-type relationship with one or two grantees, and plan for a Project Redwood legacy.
Project Redwood wants all classmates, family members and friends to feel welcome to join us in our quest to impact severe poverty around the world. If you have only a few hours of free time or many, we can find a way to use your talents!
And The Winner Is…
Charlie Baum, you’ve won your choice of a case of wine, one night’s accommodation at the upcoming Project Redwood Annual Meeting in October, a $200 gift certificate for dinner at a restaurant of your choice, or a lunch and conversation with staff member(s) from the Design for Extreme Affordability program. Ken Inadomi or Donna Davis Allen will be in touch shortly.