International Collaboration Fund (ICF)

The Posner Center's International Collaboration Fund is an innovative grantmaking program founded on the idea that strategic collaboration can create transformative change in development.

Purpose: Supports innovative partnerships within the Posner Center community, leveraging the power of collaboration for greater impact. Each project must contribute to the broader sector through the creation of a product, tool, or resource for wider use.

Focus Areas:

• Strategic partnerships in global development
• Building evidence base and replicable models
• Projects that shift development practice towards greater impact
• Environmental/sustainability work (particularly through PB and K Family Foundation grant component)

Geographic Scope: Global, with projects in various countries including Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Guatemala, and others

Eligible Applicants: Organizations and partnerships within the Posner Center community

Award Amounts:

• 2022: $5,000-$61,000 (total $61,000 to award)
• At least $18,000 restricted to environmental projects under PB and K Family Foundation Annual Environmental Grant
• 2019: Grants ranging from $15,000-$16,500
• 2018: Grants ranging from $10,000-$20,000 (total $50,000 awarded)

Special Component: PB and K Family Foundation Annual Environmental Grant - At least $18,000 annual allocation for projects addressing environmental impacts, climate change, or sustainability

Contact Information:

• Email: protected email
• Phone/text: +1-720-515-9071
• WhatsApp: +1-608-219-3566
• Program Director contact available

Recent Funding Partners: Beyond Our Borders, CoBank, Green Fund, Harvey Family Foundation, PB and K Family Foundation, JHJ Posner Family Fund

Application Process for 2022 ICF

Submission Timeline:

• Information Sessions: January 12-13, 2022
• Ideas Due: February 8, 2022 at 8:00 AM MST
• Invitation for Full Proposals: February 18, 2022
• Full Proposals Due: March 15, 2022
• Notification of Awards: March 22, 2022
• Power and Historical Analysis: April 2022

Step 1: Idea Submission (Brief Concept)

Submit responses to questions in one of three formats:

1. Written: One-page document (handwritten or typed)
   • Submit via email to protected email
2. Discussion/Phone Call: Schedule a Zoom, WhatsApp, or other platform discussion
   • Week of January 31, 2022
   • Click link on website to schedule
3. Pre-Recording: Video or voice message
   • Submit to protected email

Questions to Address in Idea Submission:

1. Summary Statement: Indicate partners involved, purpose of funding sought, and whether lead from each partner is from the community where work will take place
2. Problem Statement: What challenges does the work address? How do you know this is a problem for those most impacted? What strategy are you proposing?
3. Project Activity: What are the project activities? What informs this approach?
4. Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI): How does this project incorporate and advance JEDI goals or practices?
5. Outcomes & Impact: State overall goals and specific objectives. How will you know if you've met objectives? How will you share data with participants?
6. Budget: How much money are you requesting?
7. If Applying to Sustainability Grant: How does your project address environmental issues?

Power and Historical Analysis (Review before applying, not required in application):

• Historical Analysis: Acknowledge history of colonialism, race, inequity in country and team member countries; in your area of work; how are you part of this? Accept: How is this still happening? Actively Listen: What are frontline groups saying? Act: How can you make amends?
• Power Analysis: Who has more/less power? What does power look like? Why does imbalance exist? When did it start? Where/how does it manifest?

Step 2: Full Proposal Submission

• Top 5 applicants invited to submit full proposals
• Instructions provided upon invitation
• Due March 15, 2022

Review and Selection:

• Ideas scored using ICF scoring rubric
• Applications with "disqualified" check in any category will be disqualified
• ICF Review Committee includes Posner Center staff, past ICF participants, and Board members
• Grantees notified March 22, 2022

Application Notes:

• Writing quality, professionalism, or submission type will NOT impact decisions
• Feel free to reuse responses/applications from other grantors for same project
• Contact Program Director while brainstorming ideas
• No specific word/page count requirements for initial submission