The Overseas Projects Team (OPT)
All Tzedek grant functions are carried out by the OPT. The OPT is made up of about 10 committed volunteers who meet every six weeks. Their responsibilty is roughly divided into these areas:
- Researching new projects: Finding organisations to support. This may be done through our current partners in the field, from volunteers returning from overseas or other forms of research.
- Reviewing letters of inquiry: We view applicants as our partners as soon as their letter of inquiry is received. Letters of Inquiry are reviewed every 4 months and a decision made on whether the organisation should fill in the application form. This decision is based on how well the project fits into our criteria and the number of application forms we have the capacity to deal with at the time. A liaison member from the Overseas Projects Team sends the organisation the application form and gives constructive criticism on particular areas that may need particular explanation. The contact member helps the applicants to understand Tzedek's criteria when filling out the full application form, and contacts the organisation's referees.
- Recommending grants: the OPT makes recommendations to the Executive Board on grant-making three times a year, based on application forms received. After a grant-making meeting it is usual to contact the applicants for final clarifications before a recommendation is made to the Executive Board. A response on the success of the application will be communicated to the applicants within 6 weeks of the grant-making meetings.
- Release of funds: Once the Executive Board reviews the recommendations of the OPT, funds are released. We ask our partner for their bank details so the transfer can go ahead.
- Evaluation and updates: A contact member from the OPT keeps in touch with the organisation to gather feedback on progress at agreed intervals (which includes a baseline study at the beginning of the project). Release of funds every 6 months depends on monitoring and evaluation received. We sometimes ask external organisations or volunteers to visit projects to further Tzedek's relationship with our partners.
OPT membership is composed mainly of people with some experience of sustainable development, and a great passion for it. If you have some experience of development work, live in the UK and want to support grass-roots projects all over the developing world please contact us.
