Grants for Social Projects from the Draper Richard Kaplan Foundation up to $ 300,000

The Draper Richard Kaplan Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of people and the world around us, offers grants aimed to sponsor early stages organizations that offer social projects with dynamic ideas, potential scale, and impact on the world.

What the organization is looking for:

• The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation looks for exceptional entrepreneurs: The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks out entrepreneurs who exhibit characteristics of extraordinary leadership: vision, intelligence, influence, ambition, discretion, and follow-through. Draper Richards Kaplan entrepreneurs have proven track records that demonstrate a full spectrum of competencies.
• The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation look for potential to scale: The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports social enterprises — non-profit, for-profit and hybrid organizations — that can expand enough to directly benefit a large number of beneficiaries and impart enough momentum to influence broader systems that encumber progress. The Foundation supports - based on its belief in our need for big solutions to the major problems and challenges of our time - the Scaled organizations that act as models to other groups in the sector and have the clout to affect policy, public opinion, and economies.
• The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation look for sustainable impact: The Foundation looks for leveraged solutions that will create lasting positive change. It looks for game-changing ideas that create better opportunities and outcomes for the future.

Projects Funded by the Foundation:

• Leaders tackling important social issues that can make a difference in the lives of many.
• Models that have the likelihood to be able to scale.
• Social enterprises in the early stages of their development where DRK involvement (financial, as a board member and through other support) can make a real difference.
• On average, organizations are 1-3 years old and the leader is prepared to execute an ambitious plan.
• Social enterprises that are national or global in reach and/or social issues.
• Domestic (U.S.) and international organizations.
• We support non-profit, for-profit and hybrid social enterprises.

Projects not Funded by the Foundation:

• Community-based organizations with no interest in scaling.
• Organizations whose sole focus is on the development of research.
• Programs promoting religious doctrine.

Some Common Reasons Social Enterprises are not Considered Eligible for Funding:

• The organization is no longer at the early stages of its development.
• The organization is local in scope, focused on a small region with no plan to expand its reach or service area.
• The organization is a program of a larger organization, rather than a stand-alone entity.
• The entrepreneur does not choose to make building the social enterprise a full-time commitment.
• The idea is not unique or is a replication of a program that already exists.
• The idea is unfocused. The social enterprise is trying to solve too many problems or is using too many models and programs to achieve its goals.
• The idea and/or implementation strategy lacks clarity. The plan is not comprehensive or is hard to understand.
• The scaling plan is not viable. The revenue model or operational model is not sustainable.
• The idea will not create systemic social change. The solution presented does not address root causes or deliver enduring benefits.
• There is not a solid plan to measure outcomes.
• The model does not have the potential for large-scale (national or global) impact.

Selection Process:

• Submit Applications: The Foundation has a rolling online application process throughout the year; there is no deadline to apply. After each application is received, it is carefully reviewed by a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation staff member. Based on our appraisal of the fit of the venture with our investment style, we select approximately 25% of applications to move to a first interview. Those not invited will receive an email around six weeks after submission to bring the process to a close.
• First Interview: Exploratory Phase: Within a month or two, interviews are arranged via email. In the interview (phone or in-person), a member of the DRK team will talk with you about you, your idea and your plan for the social enterprise.
• Follow-on Interviews: Approximately 25% of those interviewed will move on to the diligence phase. This is a more in-depth process in which the entrepreneur provides resources, materials, and plans. About 15% will continue through to the final diligence phase.
• Final Diligence: Planning and Scheduling: The entrepreneur and DRK work towards very clear goals for the new venture, including metrics and milestones that help articulate the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. These metrics will be used in our work with the organization throughout the 3-year funding term.

Grant Value:

DRK investments are distributed twice a year over a three-year term, totaling $300,000. A senior member of the DRK team will join the board of the organization for the 3-year term to actively support the entrepreneur to build capacity in the social venture to scale and realize their goals.

About:

Draper Richard Kaplan Foundation was founded in 2002 in the United States of America. It is a global venture philanthropy firm supporting early stage, high impact social enterprises that have projects aimed at improving people's lives and making the world a better place.

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