Volunteer Reviewers

Information for Community Reviews

In alignment with our mission, The Children’s Trust releases competitive solicitations for programs that support children and families in five-year funding cycles. For current procurement efforts, please visit:

What is a Volunteer Community Reviewer?

An important component of The Trust’s solicitation process is the engagement of local community members to work with Trust staff in reviewing applications submitted for funding. We hope that you will consider joining us to be a volunteer community reviewer for this upcoming funding cycle.

Community reviewers are active in, and committed to, improving the community, and are interested in being a part of The Trust’s solicitation process. Reviewers possess knowledge of specific program or geographic areas in which The Trust is active. Each reviewer volunteers to work with Trust staff to determine which proposed programs will provide the highest impact in the community.

Qualifications

Community reviewers should be knowledgeable of the needs of children and families residing in Miami-Dade County, and the types of services funded through The Trust. Examples of strong community reviewers are direct service and program management staff, researchers, educators, policymakers and/or university students preparing for a career in human services. Specific qualifications include:

• Knowledge of one or more of The Trust’s program areas is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the communities of Miami-Dade County.
• At least 18 years of age.
• English language fluency (written and spoken).
• Ability to access and utilize The Trust’s online application system (computer, internet access and basic computer skills).
• Ability to carefully read funding applications and offer written, constructive feedback.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Consent to abide by The Trust’s Code of Ethics and the Reviewer Conflict of Interest. It is not uncommon for a reviewer to have a conflict of interest with one or more applications resulting from relationships with applicant agencies. The Trust has an established process in place to re-assign reviewers who may have a conflict of interest with an assigned application.

Time Commitment

While reviewing applications is rewarding, it is also time consuming. Reviewers can anticipate spending a total review time of 20 to 30 hours, which includes time attending a training session at The Trust, reviewing the funding application and its instructions, reading and scoring several applications, and then participating in a debriefing meeting at The Trust with other members of the review team. Although community reviewers are unpaid, full-time commitment is expected as the review process is dependent on their participation.

Selection

A diverse pool of reviewers will be selected to ensure that The Trust has a broad range of community expertise and insight during the review process. Reviewers are selected based on their qualifications, with consideration also given to ensuring the pool of reviewers is representative of the county’s diversity. Depending on their qualifications, reviewers will be selected to review applications in one or more program areas. More community reviewer applications are typically received than can be accepted, so you may not be selected for this year’s pool. Applicants who are not selected can re-apply for the next funding cycle.

Before you sign up to be a volunteer, please create a website account here if you don't have one.