Last week, we looked at some of the initial steps involved in managing a grant from the planning process. This week, we continue with a closer look at the planning process as well as what is involved in designing a grant scheme for accountability purposes. The following is a list comprised of 15 questions to consider when planning a grant. [adopted from the Best Practice Guide for the Administration of Grants]

Grant Management Accountability & Planning Checklist [source]

• Are the aims and objectives of the grant properly articulated?
• Are the eligibility criteria clearly and easily understood?
• Have appropriate input/output/impact performance measures been established?
• Are the performance measures generally accepted, comparable and sufficient for users needs?
• Are the performance measures quick and economic to produce?
• Have the total costs been estimated?
• Have administrative and other costs (as well as possible consequential changes) been taken into account?
• Has sufficient time been allowed to set up the grant scheme?
• Are there any special local circumstances or constraints?
• Are there other grant schemes with are likely to conflict?
• What consultation is necessary and what can be learned from other grant schemes?
• Do the basic rules avoid waste and fraud?
• Does the grant scheme comply with Government and agency policies?
• Who is accountable for what, how and to whom?
• Is there adequate access being provided to all interested groups?

Next week, we’ll take a look at how to better manage grant monies. If you have a topic you’d like to hear us discuss in depth or to voice your thoughts on grant management, leave a comment below. For more information about software for grant management, visit our website.