HOW WE DO IT

• Types of projects
• Granting Funds
• Our Commitment
• FAQ

Granting funds to projects

Every project that applies for a grant is subjected to a rigorous assessment process in which Breadline Africa establishes how they can benefit the project most effectively. After the grant is allocated, very careful monitoring of the project ensures that the funds are being properly spent.

Funding Categories

Breadline Africa grants are divided into the following 3 categories:

• Small grassroots community projects (50-85% of total budget) - We try to make these projects self-sustainable and source alternate means of funding for them. These projects require particularly close monitoring, and a separate grant is made available for mentoring and capacity-building by external consultants.
• Medium-sized localised projects (10-15% of total budget) - These are established projects with good track records of impact and accountability. They are usually localised projects.
• Large National or Regional projects (5-10% of total budget) - These are generally larger projects with national or regional spheres of influence.

How do we grant funds?

• First, we fund the projects referred to in the appeal mailings. Then, we allocate surplus funds (beyond what is needed by these projects) to other, similar projects that meet our strict criteria.
• Grants have a validity of 1 year, but in terms of BLA's aim of creating long-term sustainable solutions, we normally support projects for many years.
• Projects apply once a year by completing a comprehensive application form, including audited financial statements and annual budget.
• Our allocations process:
• Applications are evaluated by staff and outstanding issues cleared, if possible projects are visited
• Recommendations with explanations are made to a local selection committee made up of independent professionals involved in African development
• The local selection committee makes recommendations and these are presented at the trustee meeting
• Trustees make the final decision as to projects and funding amounts
• Projects receive funding for a calendar year
• In addition to the annual allocation of funds, there are two sets of discretionary/emergency funding made during the course of the year.

Monitoring of funds:

• Projects sign a contract upon receiving news of a successful funding application.
• The contract specifies how the grant should be spent/allocated. This allocation designation is based upon the original request from the project, considering elements such as past history, risk and needs.
• Projects are obliged to submit a year plan or implementation plan with the signed contract. (The implementation plan is useful for comparing actual performance/impact of the project against predicted performance/impact.)
• Projects are obliged to complete a mid-year and an end-year report (including income statement) reporting on how the grant has been spent.
• Grants are often paid bi-annually in two tranches; the second tranche is only paid on receipt of the mid-year report and after checking it against the implementation plan.
• Projects are normally visited once or more a year.

Contact us if you require any further information on how we grant our funds.