Grantmaking for Fighting Poverty and Building Communities

Grantmaking

$50

can teach a frontline staff member to identify the effects of trauma on clients.

$100

can cover a year’s worth of leadership training to keep and develop a great teacher.

$500

can supply a child with daycare and preschool until their parents find work and can make ends meet.

$5000

can provide an unemployed adult with vocational training, counseling and job placement services.

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1 in 3 people in the Bay Area lives in poverty. Poverty takes many forms, and we believe there is no one way to fight it.

Core to our approach is our grantee evaluation and selection process to ensure every dollar invested furthers our four portfolio strategies. Because our model is rooted in close collaboration with our grantees to help them achieve more impact, an in-depth process of “getting to know” each other is critical to our success together.

1. EXPLORATORY

We learn about organizations and potential fit within the Tipping Point's four portfolio strategies.

2. DUE DILLIGENCE

We dive deep into understanding organizations and evaluate their growth, strengths, and needs so we can better tailor our support of them.

3. BOARD APPROVAL

We develop a proposal for recommendation to our board.

HOUSING

We partner with organizations that connect individuals and families to stable housing and services across the Bay Area and invest in innovative housing solutions to end homelessness.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

We invest in organizations that provide positive parenting and early literacy support to families with children ages 0-3, helping lay a strong early childhood foundation for positive outcomes later in life.

EDUCATION

We support organizations that strengthen access to college and improve graduation rates for low-income students.

EMPLOYMENT

We fund organizations that provide skills training and career advancement opportunities to help individuals secure quality jobs and increase earnings over time.

Learn more about our grantee organizations.

At this time, we offer invitation-only funding opportunities in six Bay Area counties based on strategic alignment with our portfolio strategies.

Tipping Point has screened hundreds of non-profits in the Bay Area. See below for our general process and basic funding criteria.

Tipping Point infographic on their selection process

Must be a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization or have fiscal sponsorship
Must operate within one or more of the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
A significant portion of the organization’s programs must address one or more of Tipping Point’s core issue areas

Strong leadership

Clear and compelling vision and relevant experience in the field
Self-aware and willing to build a trusting relationship with an engaged funder
Results-driven and committed to continuous improvement throughout the organization
Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer demonstrates strong leadership and management qualities with at least three years of relevant leadership experience, and has held their position for at least one year
The board of directors has advisory experience, represents diverse and relevant skillsets and is committed to active engagement
Executive and board leadership demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization and its work

Program model

Sound program design or established model with a clear approach for measuring performance outcomes
Clearly defined target population and intended impact
Commitment to applying programmatic data for continuous improvement related to program performance and ultimately client impact
A unique, evidence-based approach/solution that is clearly aligned with Tipping Point’s investment rationale
Deep understanding of broader field context, challenges and opportunities

Sound financial management

Financial management experience as well as strong internal controls and processes defined
Detailed organization and program budgets
Clean audits
Positive annual net income
Strong cash flow management

In addition to organizations with a strong track record, Tipping Point also considers early stage organizations for funding.

Additional Requirements:

A well-developed, executable program model and business plan, including robust financial model (and three-year projections for revenues and expenses)
A program model in operation for less than three years

Engagement expectations:

Participation in a comprehensive executive leadership and board assessment process
Development of initial engagement and management assistance plan, in collaboration with Tipping Point, that will detail organizational and leadership growth and related capacity building activities
A commitment to full transparency and proactive issue spotting and problem-solving, in partnership with Tipping Point
Ongoing access to key staff at multiple levels of the organization, as well as board members, to foster Tipping Point’s understanding of operations and program