OPERATING PRINCIPLES

First and foremost we rely on God to direct our steps and opportunities. His ways are higher then ours and His plans are greater then what we could have ever thought or imagined. It is with this understanding that we use these operating principles to help guide us on our journey to help others.

1. Relational and Collaborative Giving
With such a high level of funding requests we typically don’t accept cold calls. Instead we seek to partner with organizations that our Trustees, staff, peers, and partners know well and trust.   We prefer working with out-of-the-box thinkers who are willing to look beyond their own organizations and develop models and solutions in partnership with other like-mind organizations. 

2. Maintain High Standards
We favor organizations that exhibit high reporting and accountability standards, while demonstrating a spirit of partnership and transparency with its resource partners. These organizations should maintain or abide by the same high standards of accountability and uphold ethical values as espoused by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (E.C.F.A.).

3. Proven & Indigenous Leadership
We look for proven leadership and sound planning. On occasion we help ministries think through their organizational and strategic issues (i.e. via Foundation staff or third-party consultants). Also, when granting we favor indigenous leadership and believe that leaders working within their own language, culture and areas of influence have a higher probability to be more effective in accomplishing their mission.

4.  Strategic & Leveraged Giving
We like big vision, and seek to partner in ways that maximize our return on investment (ROI). Ideally, our partnership should have the potential to take an organization, project or idea to the next level. This level should achieve the greatest positive impact while also holding the promise of reaching ever-greater numbers.

Furthermore, we are willing to be an early funder and a catalyst for action or new initiatives. We often favor matching grant opportunities where other donors participation can ramp up healthy growth as our involvement becomes a less dependent factor.    

5. Replicable, Scalable & Viable Models
We partner with groups that have a plan for sustainability and do not rely on any one funding source, including the Stacy Foundation, for its long-term survival. As such, our involvement is typically for specific projects that help build capacity, accelerate growth, and improve effectiveness. The potential for significant growth is a requirement, as is the ability that it can be effectively managed once growth occurs.

6. Community Network & Outreach Models
We seek to partner with local churches and support non-denominationally-minded parachurch organizations. These organizations encourage, strengthen and unite the local church, non-profit and business communities in their efforts to engage the world in social transformation, while sharing the love of Christ.  

7. Funding Limitations
We give grants both small and large. However, our first-time grants will usually be modest. Furthermore, we typically extend grants for single-year projects but have made exceptions for multi-year gifts under special circumstances. 

8.  Research & Outcome-Based Granting

We look for granting opportunities that integrate both head and heart dynamics. These organizations are willing to research the task at hand, and then evaluate the outcomes of their efforts. Too often we see organizations that are measuring their efforts and activities rather than their outcomes. As a Foundation we ask the question, "How do you know what you are doing is working?"

9.  Project Specific Giving

We typically do not fund an organization’s general budget as success and accountability then becomes harder to measure.  We prefer to have a “docking station” that we can land at- a specific project with clearly defined goals and objectives.