How many grants are given in a year?
Ideally, in 2019 PYP Seattle will give a $40,000 grant to our first place charity along with a smaller grant in the amount of $10,000 to the second place charity. The third place charity will receive between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the amount of our corporate matches. The third place charity’s grant champion(s) can opt to have their $1,000 grant contribution(s) directed toward their charity as well. Grant amounts are entirely dependent on how many members we have and how much we can raise through corporate matching. 100% of your $1,000 grant contributions will go to fund our grants.
What’s the process for getting my charity funded?
Members interested in pitching a charity (i.e., becoming a “Grant Champion”) should fill out the PYP Grant Request Form (Download it here) and submit a copy to PYPSeattle@gmail.com. Up to four members can join together to pitch one charity as a team. If more than three Grant Request Forms are submitted, members will vote to select which three charities they want to have pitched to them. If you are selected to be a Grant Champion, pitch your fellow members, plan two in-person follow up events (during the five-week discovery period) for members to learn more about your charity, and follow up to gain support (i.e., votes!).
What does “pitching” entail?
Pitches will be made in person by our Grant Champions to fellow PYP members at our annual Pitch Night. You may have written and/or audio visual materials which you have prepared, which include details about your organization, the project or effort for which you are seeking support and a process for monitoring the project if it’s funded. All pitches should be no more than 15 minutes. Representatives from the charity are not allowed to be present at the pitch, though they may help provide information, resources, or materials for you use in your pitch or handout to members. The PYP Seattle board will assist with your pitch preparation by providing feedback and advice on your slide presentation and we will host a practice session for all Grant Champions prior to Pitch Night.
How long does it take to get funding for my project?
Grant Request Forms are submitted and presentations are made 6 weeks later at the annual pitch meeting. Voting takes place online 5 weeks after Pitch Night. The time between pitching and voting allows the pitching member to field follow-up questions, hold in-person follow-up sessions, etc. The winning charity will receive their check on or around 2 weeks after voting. The entire process lasts around 13 weeks.