Grantmaking

Make your giving go further.

Our Approach

We partner with foundations and philanthropies to design and strengthen every aspect of their grantmaking. We’ve worked with local, national and international funders on a wide range of grant making support, from developing RFPs and application processes to reviewing proposals, managing due diligence, and preparing materials for Board approval. Whether launching a new initiative or refining an established portfolio, we bring structure, clarity, and partnership to every stage of the grantmaking process.

LET'S CONNECT

We’ve worked with some of the nation’s leading change makers on grantmaking support

Logo with stylized W and B and the words "Well Being Trust" in blue text.
Gates Foundation logo in black text on a white background
Bayer logo with green and blue circular borders.
Logo for Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors with the word 'Rockefeller' in large orange text and 'Philanthropy Advisors' in smaller orange text beneath it.
Black and white illustration of a woman with long hair, wearing a dress, standing next to a building with a flag, and a dog sitting nearby.
Starbucks logo next to The Starbucks Foundation text
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Case Studies

Logo of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in maroon text on a black background.

Gates Foundation

From 2006 to 2019, Schonfield Consulting has assisted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Development Program with a wide range of grant making support. We've helped Program Officers to analyze over 50 proposals (for $1 million to $30 million grants), assisted with the development of a $44 million grant making program to strengthen education in developing countries, and worked one-on-one with potential grantees to refine proposals to meet foundation requirements.

Five women smiling for a group selfie indoors, with papers on the wall behind them.

Anne with Starbucks Foundation staff, planning for RFP

Starbucks Foundation

We assisted senior staff at the Starbucks Foundation to develop and implement a $4 million grant making program to support coffee-growing communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Schonfield Consulting helped to develop the  "Origins Community” grantmaking program, identified NGOs to invite for the RFP, designed proposal guidelines and assisted staff to make funding recommendations to the Foundation Board. The grants program supports organizations working in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia and other countries with community development projects.

Group of five diverse individuals standing outdoors near a Bayer banner promoting community investments in STEM education, with a cloudy sky and industrial background.

Bayer: RFP for STEM Education

We supported Bayer (an international pharmaceutical company with manufacturing facilities in Berkeley CA) with their grants program focused on STEM education. Working with closely with Bayer staff, we organized a 9 member grants committee, identified STEM organizations to apply, developed RFP guidelines, and helped determine grantees for $2 million in grants to improve STEM education and access to STEM training in the Bay Area.

Group of people in a forest, smiling and posing for a photo.

Offsite retreat in the redwoods with Well Being Trust

Well Being Trust

Schonfield Consulting supported  the Well Being Trust, a national foundation promoting mental health and well-being. Based in Oakland, CA with a $100+ million endowment, Well Being Trust hired Schonfield Consulting to help with strategy, hiring staff, establishing initial grants and contracts, donor development, CEO support and other foundations operations.  We also supported WBT with their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, helping to survey grantees and understand their diversity goals. 

Why you might need a grantmaking consultant?

If you’re…

  • Feeling overwhelmed by the volume or complexity of grant applications to manage.

  • Unsure how to design clear, equitable RFPs and selection processes.

  • Needing structure and capacity to streamline reviews and Board approvals.

  • Launching a new funding initiative and wanting to get it right from the start.

  • Seeking to align your grantmaking strategy more closely with your mission and values.

get in touch

  • “Anne and her team bring a wealth of experience in process design, community investment best practices, and clarity of objectives and program metrics. I would definitely recommend Schonfield Consulting for their rigor and drive to achieve results.”

    Jennifer Cogley - Deputy Director Community Relations, Bayer

  • “Anne and her team played an integral role in designing and implementing Well Being Trust‘s grantmaking. Anne is extremely efficient and good at moving things forward. I value Anne’s input tremendously and appreciate her warm and positive manner. I’m happy to provide my highest recommendations!”

    Jennifer Graves - Grants Director, WBT

  • "We needed someone who was independent, highly focused and knowledgeable about capturing data from nonprofits. The final report was excellent. Thanks for taking on Fresno!"

    Charise Hanson - Program Officer, Central Valley Community Foundation

  • "Anne is the quintessential consultant — she listens well, asks good questions, is easy to work with, and a great thought partner. She is the person you want on your team if you want to get s**t done and not waste time. I will work with Anne anytime."

    Elvis Fraser - Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

  • "Anne is a valued colleague and I highly recommend her to anyone needing a top notch consultant... The quality of her work is excellent and her ability to turn it around quickly was very impressive."

    David Pontecorvo, Senior Program Officer, East Bay Community Foundation

Have a question about your strategy? Need support with your fundraising goals? Want to improve your impact but not sure where to start? Reach out, we’re ready to help!

anne@schonfieldconsulting.com