ALIGNED FUNDERS
RAPID RESOURCE FUND GUIDELINES
The Rapid Resource Fund, created in 2014, invests in short-term opportunities that leverage potentially
larger, systems-level changes to further Road Map Project outcomes.
The Road Map Project is a regional collective impact initiative, launched in 2010, that aims to dramatically improve
student achievement from “cradle to college and career” in South King County and South Seattle. Eligibility for
funding will require that applicant organizations are recommended by a Road Map Work Group and align with one or
more of the Road Map Work Group action plans or priorities.
Fund Overview
The Road Map Aligned Funders Group includes funders investing in education outcomes in South King County and
South Seattle. In 2013, the group decided to create a pooled fund that could provide timely investments in the Road
Map region. The Rapid Resource Fund will award approximately 10-15 grants, beginning in May 2014, ranging in
amount from $5,000 - $20,000 depending upon the scope of work and anticipated outcomes.
Proposals will be considered that articulate a clear plan for improving system-level supports that are currently
impeding the success of the Road Map project. While system changes require time and coordinated efforts at
multiple levels to fully implement, proposals should make the case that the funded outputs will lead to a systemchange. In these instances, a theory of change that supports a broader change is encouraged.
Funding priorities:
 Clear connection to a Road Map Project Action Plan or a Road Map Work Group priority
 Targets a systems change issue or could lead to system-level change (ideally has impact above individual
school or community-based organization level)
 Immediate, short term opportunity
 Clear, concise case can be made about potential impact of grant.
 Does not fund ongoing operational costs and needs. Focused on one-time costs. (e.g., the research/planning
phase of a potential continuing effort)
 Generally not intended for co-funding larger projects. Preference for small, discrete projects where pooled
fund provides a significant source of funding.
Local funders participating in this aligned fund meet every other month to assess proposals based on the fund
criteria. Applications may be submitted throughout the year, with selection made on a rolling basis every two
months. The submission deadlines for 2015 are as follows:
 January 23
 March 20
 May 22
April 2014
Applicant Eligibility
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Must be generated from Road Map Work Groups and discussed with Road Map Work Group Co-chairs
Organizations, school districts and postsecondary education institutions with tax exempt status 501c3 or
170(b)(1), other government entities and/or tribes; and
Project significance with one or more of the Road Map Work Group action plans or priorities
Application Contents
Proposal Narrative should not exceed 3 pages, single-spaced, and should aim to include the following:
1. Applicant Information
 Organization legal name, primary contact, phone, and email (and if applicable, website)
 Brief background about your organization, including an abbreviated mission statement, and the
constituency and geographic region served
 List other key partner organizations role with respect to proposed request
2. Systems-change Components and Project Significance
 Describe the proposed system-level changes and its connection to a Road Map Project Action Plan or
Work Group priority. (For efforts likely to extend beyond one year, please include a summary-level
theory of change)
 Describe intended results of the proposed project by the end of one year
3. Implementation
 List and briefly describe the key actions and resources necessary to support the proposed systemschange, an estimated timeline, and anticipated challenges
 If other partner organizations play a pivotal role, briefly describe their purpose and commitment.
4. Budget
 Include a short budget narrative describing the total project cost and the detail costs for the amount
you intend to request
5. Sustainability
 How will the proposed activities leverage potentially larger, systems-level changes, generate lessons
learned, and / or develop improved practices
SUBMISSION
The submission deadlines for 2015 are as follows:
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January 23
March 20
May 22
Questions? Please contact your Road Map work group staffer and/or Lynda Petersen at
[email protected]. Proposals should be generated from Road Map Work Groups and discussed with Road
Map Work Group Co-chairs and staffer. Final proposals should be submitted to Betsy Dennis with Philanthropy
Northwest at [email protected]
April 2014