Our Application Review
Each year over 150 community advocates from foundations, peer nonprofits, giving circles, corporate giving programs, and the broader community review the applications we receive (200+ a year) for their critical local impact. Nonprofits that are a part of our network are based in the DMV-area and have budgets between $100k-$4m. We leverage the region’s knowledge for the benefit of the entire community and around 75 nonprofits are selected annually. Following community members reviews, applications that move forward in the process are “site visited” by at least one volunteer or Spur Local staff and we complete a financial review, during which we review 990 filings, audited financials, and other key financial indicators to ensure financial viability and transparency.
Volunteer to Support the Process
Spur Local is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2025 application cycle. As a volunteer, your review of the applicants will help us to determine which nonprofits to include in the Spur Local network. Your comments also help us give feedback to unsuccessful applicants as they seek to strengthen their applications in the future.To volunteer with us, you must:
- Live or work in the Greater Washington DC region
- Have a minimum of three years of professional experience.
- Have experience in and/or knowledge of the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, community development, or community organizing.
- Have familiarity, interest, or expertise in one or more of the social issues our applicants serve: Nature (Environment and Animal Services), Culture (Youth and Community Arts or Performing, Literary and Visual Arts), Education (Youth Education and Education and Enrichment; Mentorship and College Access; or Adult Literacy and Learning), or Human Services (Children, Youth and Families; Girls and Women; Immigrant and Refugee Services; Veterans and Military Families; Health, Wellness and Senior Services; Basic Needs, Food and Housing; Legal Services and Justice Programs; Life Skills, Training, and Employment; or Community and Civic Engagement)
- Not be a member of the board or staff of a nonprofit organization that is applying to be in the Spur Local network. More information for applying nonprofits is available here.
- Commit to 4-8 hours of reviewing from early March to mid-April. Time commitment is dependent on personal reviewing style; each reviewer will be assigned approximately 5-10 applications.