acutepost Grant Oversight Committee

Purpose

The acutepost Grant Oversight Committee is a small volunteer group formed to support and oversee the initial community-funded grant provided to Briana. The committee ensures transparency, provides feedback, and helps guide the development of a fair and effective grant process that could be expanded to other creators in the future.

Structure

The committee will consist of 3 to 5 members, including:

  • Chairperson (Kevin Schmidt) – Facilitates discussions, ensures the process runs smoothly, and helps structure committee operations. Kevin will serve as Chair for the first 3-6 months, then transition the role to a member of the committee to ensure long-term sustainability and shared leadership.

  • 2-4 General Members – Community supporters who review progress, provide feedback, and help guide the grant’s purpose.

  • (Optional) 1 TCUS Representative – Observes and documents learnings to help align the grant with nonprofit compliance.

Potential Committee Members

Committee members should have a vested interest in supporting independent creatives and be aligned with acutepost’s mission. Ideal members may include:

  • Briana’s Quaker Community Member – Someone familiar with ethical funding, nonprofit work, or consensus-based decision-making.

  • Activist or Environmentalist Ally – A supporter from protest movements (e.g., Standing Rock) who values independent storytelling — maybe Wildbear???

  • Nonprofit or Fundraising Expert – Someone with experience in nonprofit operations who can provide guidance on funding strategies.

  • Writer, Editor, or Journalist – A mentor or fellow writer who understands the practical side of sustaining a creative career.

Responsibilities

  1. Regular Check-Ins

    • Meet every 4-6 weeks (virtually or informally) to discuss Briana’s progress.

    • Offer support, guidance, or suggestions on creative projects.

  2. Fund Usage Oversight

    • Ensure the grant is being used for writing, research, travel, and content creation as intended.

    • Provide feedback on whether the funding structure is working effectively.

  3. Process Evaluation & Improvement

    • Identify lessons learned from this trial phase.

    • Make recommendations on how to improve future grants or expand the model to other creators.

  4. Community Engagement & Growth

    • Help raise awareness about acutepost’s mission and the importance of funding independent creatives.

    • Consider ways to grow the grant program sustainably.

Committee Term & Next Steps

  • The committee will function for the duration of the 3-6 month trial period.

  • At the end of the trial, members will review outcomes and decide whether to continue, modify, or expand the oversight process for future grants.

This is an experiment in community-led funding, ethical storytelling, and nonprofit innovation. By participating, committee members help shape a new way for independent thinkers, writers, and artists to be supported fairly and sustainably.