Hunter’s Grants Mentorship Program
It is our goal to not only fund Grant Winners financially to enable them to realize their creative and entrepreneurial dreams but also to provide them with guidance from others with greater expertise in their field. By creating a strong Mentor-Mentee relationship, the Grant Program is not only sustained by Grant Winner involvement and input, but establishes professional relationships for winners to draw on throughout their careers.
The Mentorship Program has been redeveloped to establish more sound guidelines for both Mentors and Grant Winners. We want to emphasize the creation of goals to facilitate the completion of Grant Winners’ projects.
Not only do we strive to support the creative and entrepreneurial endeavors of Grant Winners, our goal is that the Mentorship Program - a component of Hunter’s Grants - will foster personal and professional growth for all involved.
Interested in volunteering as a Mentor with Hunter’s Fund? Complete the sign-up form HERE.
SMART Goals is a method for goal setting used in many settings.
Here are some tips for getting started with creating goals:
First, take inventory of where you are in your project or business right now. Assess any barriers that might be holding you back or problems you need to tackle before moving forward.
Determine what your needs are. You may have the resources, a budget, and a list of line items, but are these still the best items to meet the needs of your project?
Figure out any questions you may need answered before starting work on your project. Utilize your human resources to find answers!
Keep your dreams in mind. What are the results you hope to see at the end of your project? What is your big picture?
Set goals and develop a plan to determine the needs of yourself and your project. Be mindful of optimizing your financial, material, and human resources throughout this process.
Examples of Project Goals for Hunter’s Grants recipients
Example of a non-SMART Goal: Complete my project to build my brand proposed in my application for Hunter’s Grants
Example of a SMART Goal: Complete my project to build my brand by increasing traffic on my website by 30% by the end of the 12-month grant period
The key to developing your goals is to make sure that they are structured and well-organized. These will set the foundation for planning and carrying out your project! Try using the SMART method to create goals for your project.
Setting your goals before the start of your project will help you identify your needs and what you hope to get out of this process. They will also help guide your actions to enable you to complete your project on time and with great success!
Frequently Asked Questions from Grant Winners and Mentors: The Grants Payment Process
What is the payment process?
We pay for the items included in your grant proposal by making payments directly to suppliers of the items listed in your budget request.
As a Grant Winner, you should obtain a quote for the items included in your budget. These quotes should include estimated costs and reference numbers from suppliers.
You should submit each item separately on a Payment Request Form.
Once we receive your quotes and Payment Request Forms, we will work with you to coordinate payment to suppliers and delivery of the items to you.
What is the timeline?
After we receive your quotes and Payment Request Forms, please allow at least 3 weeks for us to organize payments for your items.
As a reminder, all payments must be claimed within 12 months of you being awarded as a Grant Winner.
Each month, you should be meeting with your Mentor at least once to work on your project and check in on the payment process.
What else should I know?
Alternative Payment Option: You may choose to pay for your items up-front and then be reimbursed by Hunter's Fund. This will only be done upon the receipt of Payment Request Forms and copies of your invoices. If you use a credit card for this option, we will require copies of payment invoices, payment receipts, and the card statement including the charges for your items. Please note, payments will be made to the person whose name is on the credit card used for these purchases.
Always be sure to double-check the quotes you receive. The amount Hunter's Fund pays is limited to these quotes. We do not pay more than the grant award or for funds not spent on items for your project.
As a reminder, due to government regulations regarding charities, we cannot make payments directly to Winners of Hunter’s Grants. Check out our Grant Guidelines Handbook to find answers to more of your questions!
For questions regarding payments or processes, reach out to Judith (judith@hunterwatson.org).