This post explores the important role freelance assessors play within grantmaking, inspired by ACF’s recently published 'Foundations in Focus' report.
The report highlights that in 2023/24, grant giving saw significant increases alongside much higher volumes of applications. Overall, grants rose by 12% compared to the previous year, while application numbers surged between 100% and 400%.
That’s a huge number of proposals to assess, so how do funders manage this?
Many funders are finding they need additional resources and adapted systems to handle the increase, while maintaining high standards of grantmaking. But acheiving this in the face of growing costs and demand is challenging.
One option being explored is the use of AI, which can assess proposals in a fraction of the time it takes a human. This can boost capacity within assessment teams, but it’s not without limitations.
Funders agree that implementing AI software can be expensive and resource-intensive. More importantly, human oversight and scrutiny must remain central to ensure fairness and equity.
This is where freelance grant assessors add real value. Hired for specific purposes, they bring high quality external expertise and time focused support, helping funders save on costs and resources.
Freelancers can be engaged as needed, allowing funders to scale up or down based on application volume or resourcing needs. Support might be for a single oversubscribed programme or on a regular basis to provide extra capacity to an overstretched team, without the need for permanent recruitment.
One of the reasons I love being a freelance assessor is that I can offer flexibility to grantmakers, helping them to be agile and responsive. One funder found themselves low on resource but hadn't planned for the shortfall. I was able to join the team and ease the pressure in a short space of time. I'm also well versed in assessing and can hit the ground running, reducing the time needed for training.
But from conversations I've had with different funders, it's not always easy to find freelance assessor support when it's needed. Knowing where to look is not always clear, neither is having the time available to search.
If you need support finding freelance assessor resource then I'm here to help. Please get in touch to find out more.
With growing demand for grants, freelance assessors offer funders a unique, human centred and cost effective way to sustain high standards of assessments. By embracing this flexible approach, funders can maintain high standards while adapting to a rapidly changing grantmaking sector.
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