Sample Collection: Decision-Making Tools

Chicago Beyond’s Mirror Tool

This practical tool from Chicago Beyond provides guidance for funders looking to ensure that their grant award decision-making addresses unconscious bias and power dynamics. It outlines common types of bias, questions to reflect on, and a rubric funders can fill out for themselves.

The Woodcock Foundation's Board Decision-Making Rubric

The Woodcock Foundation, a family foundation based in New York City, adapted NCFP’s “Fist to Five Voting and Consensus” guide to create this decision-making rubric for their board members. This sample is designed for boards to be able to easily and quickly make decisions (e.g. regarding grant approvals, programmatic strategies, etc.), identify areas where consensus exists or is lacking, and to direct foundation staff towards the next best course of action.