You're navigating grant funding and organizational interests. How can you avoid conflicts proactively?

Based on my experience, I propose the following strategies • Ensure total transparency in the selection process of grant recipients, including the establishment of an independent Evaluation Committee. • Establish, popularize and apply a Conflict of Interest and ethics policy among staff and potential beneficiaries • Separation of Roles: Separate the roles between those who decide on funding and those who benefit from or are directly involved in the subsidized projects. • Conduct regular checks on the integrity of financing processes. • Establish a feedback system allowing stakeholders to report any conflict of interest or irregularity. • Documentation and archiving of all decisions, including justifications for awarding grants.

Setting clear boundaries, would be a must in this case, as it will explain in detail what are the responsibilities and requirements from each party involved in process. There should be thoroughly written guidelines for funds use and the clauses on cancellation of grant in case of misconduct. The transparency in policies and procedures would avoid any misunderstanding between the parties. I strongly agree on the trainings, but would also recommend to provide a training to the grantee on the rules and regulations beforehand, what will lead to less questions in the future

Our agency has over 30 programs that are all grant-funded. We create Program Manuals that clearly lay out all the guidelines the NOFA/Funder set forth. These are in lay terms so that any staff member can clearly understand and make decisions appropriately, "we" (usually the grant writer) create this manual after approval of funds. It contains all key personnel and who has the decision-making authority. Be quick and be clear!

In my experience having a good governance practices in place will ensure transparency. Segregation in authorities will provide confidence in the organization as well as following the international practices in the periodic audits.

Track everything! Sounds simple but so many organizations (usually start-ups) don't! Conduct informal self-audits regularly, and formal audits at least once a year. Do not hide anything- mistakes are fixable.

Too many times organisations will try to bend grant processes and functions to enhance their own organisation to increase grant monies paid or stretch programme results to look successful. This misses the point of an ethical decision making, as a company rather should realign its own ethics to meet the requirements of the grant's ethical footing, not make a programme fit a company's ethical (or lack of) footing. To cut corners, redefine success away from a grant's stated purposes, or cover up/fabricate actions which would be seen as unethical only invites eventual discovery and reputational ruin. If a grant is run by government or other substantial entities, then factor in such responses as criminal charges, court-ordered reimbursement.

This may sound counterproductive- but do NOT chase funding. So many nonprofits get into trouble when they chase dollars for grant programs that 1) Do not align with the mission or expertise of the agency. 2) Have such tedious reporting and/or regulations that staff are overloaded with tasks (I've had $1,500 grants with more required paperwork than 1.5 million dollar grants.) 3) Cannot be executed correctly or timely- you will have to pay it back! Don't assume money fixes all problems- if you are struggling to find staff, do not chase funding that can only be executed if you have more staff!