In countries all over the world, new tools are being created to help nonprofits, governments and funders listen to the people they seek to serve in new ways. In the United States, we’ve seen a growth in the number and quality of feedback tools, while many local tools across the globe with huge potential aren’t getting the support they need. Feedback Labs, a US-based nonprofit that exists to help support feedback practice around the world, is looking for 5-9 feedback tools created outside the United States to join its first Feedback Tools Accelerator. The Feedback Tools Accelerator is a one-year program designed to support a community of burgeoning feedback tools through community connections, grant funds, and technical support. Apply here!
The Opportunity
Feedback Labs is looking for 5-9 nonprofits or social enterprises to join our year-long Feedback Tools Accelerator, where they will be part of a community of tool providers from the Global South working to learn from each other and scale their feedback solutions. Each organization selected will receive a grant ranging from $25K-$100K, as well as connections, advice, and (of course!) feedback on their work. As part of the Accelerator experience, selected organizations will receive:
- Grant funds to support the further the development, marketing, or testing of their tool;
- Quarterly one-on-one meetings with Feedback Labs staff to discuss challenges and receive assistance;
- Bi-annual virtual gatherings to share progress, learn from others, and build on peers’ learning;
- Assistance in finding pilot testers for their tool, if requested;
- Opportunities to present their work and get feedback from experts in the field;
- Features in Feedback Labs’ blog, newsletter and social media.
- Opportunity to present their tool to the wider feedback community at a future in-person Feedback+event or virtual webinar.
Selection Criteria
Feedback Labs is looking to support tools that are in the early- to mid-stages of development and are showing signs of progress where a one-time infusion of financial and technical support will be able to help the tool scale in a sustainable way. You should apply if your tool:
- Was created by and for communities in the Global South;
- Complements (versus duplicates) existing tools or addresses a feedback need that is not currently being addressed;
- Is beyond the pilot stage of implementation – the concept has been proven and new funding and support will be used to further its development and help it scale;
- Has been tested by at least three organizations to collect feedback;
- Addresses at least one stage of the Feedback Loop, with preference for tools that allow users to address multiple stages of the Feedback Loop;
- Has been developed by a nonprofit or social enterprise;
- Has been or will be provided to at least a limited number of pilot testers for free.
Grantee Expectations
Organizations selected for this opportunity will be part of a cohort of growing feedback tools that will learn from and support each other. If your organization is selected to be part of this cohort, you agree to:
- Attend four one-on-one support calls with Feedback Labs staff to discuss the challenges and successes of your tool;
- Attend a minimum of four group cohort meetings virtually;
- Work with our marketing team to create a blog post about the work you’re doing to share with the feedback community;
- Present in a collaborative brainstorming webinar (we call them LabStorms!) to get feedback on your work from peers and experts;
- Attend the LabStorms of your fellow cohort members;
- Submit two program narrative reports throughout the process. The first report will be due midway through the program. The final report will be due at the end of the program. You will be provided a template for this program narrative.
Next Steps
To apply, please fill out the application found at this link by 11:59:59 ET on November 15, 2020. The application questions are listed below for planning, but answers must be submitted in the link provided. This is a two-step application process. After completing the initial application, Feedback Labs will notify you if you have been selected for an interview. Feedback Labs is not just looking for a grantee, we are looking for a partner in the journey of creating and discovering new feedback tools globally. Feedback Labs values collaboration and invites applicants to partner with us in shifting the western-centric paradigm of feedback across the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What do you mean by a “feedback tool”?
When we talk about a feedback tool, we’re referring to something that provides technical assistance to a person or organization that is listening to people they serve with the intent to act on what they hear.
Feedback tools empower a practitioner to ask meaningful questions and do something with those responses. This often looks like an app you can download onto your smartphone or tablet, a virtual process connecting existing tools (for instance, connecting SMS texts to your Salesforce database), or a website that brings together survey analysis and public action.
We’re looking for feedback tools that help give guidance or support to organizations that are addressing one or more stages of the feedback loop (buy in, design, collect, analyze, dialogue, collect).
2. What do you mean by early- to mid-stage development?
We are looking for feedback tools that have already shown initial promise. That means the concept has been tested and at least three organizations have already piloted it to collect, analyze and use feedback from their constituents. We are not looking to support ideas that have not yet been developed. Similarly, we are not looking for tools that already have significant financial support and have scaled. We are looking for tool providers for which a one-time infusion of financial support, connections, and one-on-one support can help move the tool onto a sustainable, scalable growth path.
3. I have an idea for a feedback tool that I’d like to develop, but I’m looking for start-up capital. Can I apply for this opportunity?
No, we are looking to support feedback tools that have already been developed, are in the early- to mid-stages of development, for which a one-time boost of financial and technical support can help the tool develop and scale.
4. Can I apply as an individual for funding?
No, we are looking specifically to support nonprofits and social enterprises that have developed feedback tools.
5. Does my feedback tool need to be in use across one or more entire countries?
No, your tool does not to be used across multiple countries or even across an entire country. The only location requirement for the Feedback Accelerator is that you are a tool from the Global South.We will consider tools that operate in multiple countries, a single country, or even just one part of a country.
6. Does my feedback tool need to be in English?
Your feedback tool does not need to operate in English (we encourage feedback tools that support the language local to the community where it was developed!), but the main person in your organization participating in Feedback Tool Accelerator programming must be able to communicate in English.
7. Can I submit more than one application?
Yes, if your organization has developed more than one distinct feedback tool, you may submit a separate application for each tool.
8. What does reporting look like for this grant?
We will ask for a short narrative report halfway through the program to understand the progress your tool has made and how we can better support your progress. We will ask for a second short narrative report at the end of the program.
9. What is Feedback Labs?
Feedback Labs is a US-based nonprofit working to make feedback the norm in aid, philanthropy, nonprofits, and government. You can find out more at www.feedbacklabs.org.
10. When will I hear back about my application?
All applicants will hear back about whether they have been invited to the second round interview stage by November 23, 2020. Final Accelerator participants will be notified by December 15, 2020. The Feedback Tools Accelerator programming will begin in January, 2021.
Still have questions? Feel free to reach out at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
Application Questions
*Your answers to these questions must be submitted through the official application here. They are listed below to help you plan.
- What is your organization’s name?
- What type of organization are you representing?
- What is your organization’s website?
- Who is the main contact person for this grant application?
- What is the main contact person’s email?
- What is the main contact person’s phone number?
- Where is your organization located?
- In what countries does your organization work?
- When was your organization founded?
- What is your organization’s annual budget? (Numbers only)
- How does your organization define feedback? (300 words maximum)
- What does high-quality feedback look like to you? (300 words maximum)
- Please give a brief description of your tool. What does it do? (300 words maximum)
- Is your tool targeted toward feedback from a particular sector or community? (women, children, agriculture, education, etc)
- How do you know the feedback collection your tool supports is high quality?
- This opportunity would provide one year of grant funding and technical support to develop and test your feedback tool. How would this support help scale or improve your tool? Why is now the right time for this support? (300 words maximum)
- What is the primary methodology for collecting feedback that your tool is created to assist with?
- What is the primary methodology for analyzing feedback that your tool is created to assist with?
- How much are you asking for? ($25,000-$100,000) (Numbers Only)
- What will you do with these funds? (300 words Maximum)
- Where do you hope to see your tool three years from now?
Dear team,
I request for an extension for the Feedback Tools Accelerator grant deadline. We at WeUnlearn have developed a new solution to empower adolescents to build self-efficacy and lead gender-equitable lives. I was not able to complete the application on time due to a death in the family due to covid. Request you to please grant us an extension for few days.
Regards
Pallavi Khare
Co-Founder, WeUnlearn