Empowering Growth & Community.

The Problem

Communities classified as “Distressed “- marked by high poverty and violence- often leave millions in designated grant funding unspent. Why? Because traditional grantmaking systems favor established organizations (previously directly grant-funded) with high IQC (Internal Quality Control) scores, they inherently disadvantage smaller, local groups that are doing the work but lack prior direct funding experience.

The Core Insight

IQC Scores measure access but not potential. Many small, community-based organizations (CBO’s) never get a chance to increase their score through an award. Not because of incompetence, but because of systematic exclusion. Without intervention, this cycle will continue to perpetuate inequity.

Key Components

Sub-Budget Integration:                                                                                                                               Small organizations can be included immediately from inception as a sub-contractor in a primary grantee's budget. This would enable participation, teach through action, and build a grant history and experience in grant participation.

Targeting Capacity-Building:                                                                                                                           Set aside a % of each sub-budget funds for one-to-one technical assistance tailored to each organization's needs, including optional fiscal agent partnerships for functions of payroll accounting and reporting as required.

Local Accountability:                                                                                                                                  WeBild infuses grantees and CBO’s with proven in-state, capacity to provide hands-on mentorship and apprenticeship- not meaningless paper oversight.

Assessment and Growth Plan:                                                                                                                      Each sub-budget organization participates in an assessment to determine which competencies need to be developed or delegated and included in their work plan. This will ensure that the effort is practical and aligned with the organization's development and mission.

Why It Works

WeBild flips the script from exclusion to readiness. It does not wait for small organizations to “catch up”. It brings the system to them and meets them where they are. The model has already influenced two early tests by a funder. Now it is scaled with integrity, locality, and accountability for over 100 agencies. (Fig A- WeBild Bridge)