Reviewing the funding process

Regular review of funding processes ensures good funding practices are being followed, and that they are consistent with Treasury guidelines and the government agency’s contracting principles.

Regular evaluation means agencies can continually improve their funding practices, and ensure their processes remain consistent with their contracting principles.

Reviews should be built into the funding process from the start. Allocate sufficient time and resources to carry out an effective review.

• Is our funding programme consistent with the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship?
• Is there a strategic framework for our agency’s relationship with NGOs?
• Are funding processes consistent with the Treasury guidelines?
• Are our processes consistent with our agency’s contracting principles?
• Is our agency aware of current best practice among other agencies?
• Can our funding arrangements be improved at regional or local levels?
• Do we support research into and review of funding mechanisms, including sharing findings with other funders?
• Do we evaluate funding arrangements against clear criteria?
• Do we regularly evaluate our funding practices?
• Do we have clear procedures for acquiring and processing feedback from NGOs?
• Do we change our funding practices in response to research findings or lessons learned from national and international evaluations?
• Do we develop specific plans to address identified gaps or weaknesses?
• Do we follow good practice funding processes?
• Do we make ongoing improvements to our funding practices?
• Have we developed a training programme for staff responsible for funding NGOs?