Here are some of the key questions we ask when evaluating a proposal:

Is the project within our mission?

• Does it initiate, expand or enhance meditation instruction, practice or understanding?
• Does it have a Christian audience, draw from Christian contemplative traditions, or further dialogue and cooperation among contemplative traditions in all religions?
• Does the project focus on meditation practice rather than another aspect or method of prayer or spiritual development?

Is it of the highest quality?

• Does it use a recognized teacher, speaker or leader with appropriate training and an extensive personal meditation practice?
• Is the quality of teaching and the meditation experience central to the project?

What kind and level of impact might the project make?

• Does the project have a specific audience in mind as well as specific plans for reaching them?
• Is it reaching new or underserved audiences or audiences where the need is especially great or the potential for impact significant?  Possibilities include young people, people facing illness, trauma or loss, people in poverty or in prison, and people dealing with addictions. 
• For ongoing meditation groups, is the effort developing a meditation community that might ultimately be self-sustaining?
• Will a small grant such as ours make a significant difference to the project?

What is the administrative capacity of the sponsoring organization?

• Does the project have the support of the organization’s leadership?
• Is the organization sufficiently organized and funded to achieve its goals?
• Where appropriate, has the organization evaluated the project’s potential for income generation? 
• Does the organization show efforts to evaluate and adapt their work?