Social Innovation Fund Grantee Selection Process to Be Audited

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has requested an audit of the Social Innovation Fund grantee selection process. Led by the inspector general at CNCS, the audit will include interviews with a number of  grant reviewers and could potentially lead to changes in funding disbursements. Since the awards were announced in July, there has been much controversy surrounding the grantee decision-making process. For example, in August, critics noted that the fund had not disclosed information on who reviewed the grants, who applied for them, or the ratings the applicants received. CNCS has since posted detailed information on the grantees to its website and has maintained that the audit will reaffirm the fairness of the SIF processess and procedures.

“Our entire motivation is to ensure that what we’ve done and the processes we’ve put in place are fair and consistent and meet [the inspector general’s] expectations in terms of the procedures we used,” said Ashley Etienne, a corporation spokeswoman. CNCS also noted that interviews will take place between November 22nd and December 21st.

For more information.

Resources:
Office of Inspector General at CNCS to Review SIF Selection Process, Nonprofit Quarterly
Fiscal Year 2010 Audit Plan, CNCS
Social Innovation Fund Grant-Decision Process to Be Audited, Philanthropy News Digest