A number of criteria are used to assess prospective grantee organizations, including but not limited to clarity of mission, programmatic focus and effectiveness, caliber of staff, financial health, board leadership and involvement, service population, and geographic focus. Particular consideration will be given to those that promise verifiable long-range benefits that include an evaluation plan, and have the potential to attract support from a broad base of philanthropic sources. To be eligible for funding, organizations must adhere to the guidelines listed below.

Administrative

• 501(c)(3) status, or have a fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status that will administer funds

• Annual budget in excess of $200K

• No more than 50% of budget from government funding (Exceptions are made for charter schools, domestic violence, and AIDS-related funding)

• Not have requested or received funding from AICM within the previous twelve months (Exceptions are made for in honor of, in memory of, and event support.)

• Do not have a recurring deficit

Geography

• Serve residents of Chicago and Cook County (Exceptions are made for International Health, Environment, and University Giving)

Jewish Philanthropy only:

• Serve residents of Cook County or have national impact or located in Israel

Israeli grantees only:

• Funding for previous grantees or specific requests for proposals from AICM also referred to as “Proactive” grants

Type of Support

• May include general operating support, funding for capital, or earmarked requests for projects or programs

• Does not include advocacy

• Does not include research

• Does not include film, video, book projects, exhibitions, or conferences

• Does not include association or coalitions (Exceptions are made for contributions to non-profit membership organizations like Donors’ Forum)

• Does not include support for re-granting or “pass through” organizations that distribute to other agencies

• Does not include specific salaries

Metrics

• Reach large numbers of individuals at low cost per individual (Exceptions are made for programs with inherently high cost per person served such as services for people with profound special needs.)

• Does not include large allocations to fundraising costs

• Would not be reliant on the Foundation for a large portion of their funding

• State objectives and measurable ways to work towards those objectives