The Innovation Fund is an annual allocation of funds which are intended to support innovative program-related projects for growing Canadian charitable organizations.  These new or expanded projects will help organizations extent service delivery into a new region, launch a relevant new program, or attempt a pilot project.  This fund represents about 50% of Bridgeway’s annual disbursement budget.

The Cambridge Fund is an annual allocation of funds which are intended to improve the quality of life for citizens of Cambridge, Ontario.  Charitable organizations applying for grants from the Cambridge Fund have deep roots in the Cambridge community.  This fund represents about 10% of Bridgeway’s annual disbursement budget.

The Family Fund is an annual allocation of funds which are intended to allow Bridgeway members to carry out their own discretionary grantmaking based on their own specific charitable interests.  Charities must be specifically invited to apply to this fund by a member of Bridgeway Foundation.  Members report back to the membership at Bridgeway’s Annual General Meeting regarding the success of their grants.  This fund represents about 5% of Bridgeway’s annual disbursement budget.

Bridgeway has significantly supported capital campaigns in the past.  However, in 2008 we reviewed our grantmaking priorities and supporting large campaigns no longer fits within the goals we have as an organization.

Bridgeway Foundation was established by its founders as an expression of their personal faith in Jesus Christ, and organizations sharing these same values are selected as partners.  These organizations are committed to living out the Christian faith through generously giving to the broader community.

Great attention is paid to ensuring that Bridgeway grants serve people outside the faith communities they represent, as Bridgeway’s desire is that those in need - regardless of any faith perspective - are ultimately the beneficiaries of our grants.  We call this approach "missional", as Christ's mission - which we try to emulate - was directed to all of humanity. 

At our local level, however, Bridgeway does allocate approximately 10% of grants every year to Cambridge, Ontario-based secular agencies.

Cambridge is the city in which Bridgeway’s founders have lived for a generation.  Supporting community agencies that benefit local citizens is one way to support grassroots efforts to help our neighbours. 

The RL Petersen Awards for Non-Profit Innovation were conceived in 2003 to stimulate innovative best practices in the charitable sector, and are awarded annually to a Canadian charity that meet five criteria relating to innovation, strategy, impact, clear outcomes, and transformation.  These qualities were those which inspired the founder of the Bridgeway Foundation, Reg Petersen, for whom the award is named.

We believe the role that Bridgeway should play as a large financial partner is that of sparking change and stimulating new initiatives for organizations that already have good core support from committed annual donors.  This approach allows Bridgeway funding to flow to healthy charities, which are already sustainable given their current revenue capability, but ready to grow in their outreach through some creative initiative.

The Grantmaking Committee meets twice per year.  Prior to each meeting, Bridgeway staff provides the Grantmaking Committee with the following materials to assist in determining where to allocate grants:

• The organization’s online application, as presented by the applicant
• A summary of the organization's financial statements over the past three years
• A balanced scorecard which rates the organization based on leadership, finances, fundraising, and program
• A written report on the staff member’s site visit
• A written evaluation by Bridgeway staff regarding the viability of the project and the suitability of Bridgeway’s involvement  

Decisions are not made lightly.  Some grants are funded as requested.  Others contain conditions to be met before payment is made.  Still others are structured with a matching component to maximize the benefit to the organization.

Unfortunately, some online applications are declined by the committee.  Applicant organizations can follow-up declined grant applications with staff to understand more fully the rationale behind the decision.

Exceptions to our stated partner criteria are made very infrequently.  In such cases, it is Bridgeway who has invited the organization to submit a grant request for consideration in order to achieve an agreed-upon goal.