Organization Readiness Tool

About the Organization Readiness Tool

The goal of the Organization Readiness Tool is to allow potential applicants to develop a clear and candid understanding of whether they will be a strong fit for the Open Call. In advance of submitting an application to the Open Call, which we know takes time and resources, all prospective applicants are encouraged to complete the Tool to determine whether to apply. By providing the information contained in the Organization Readiness Tool, alongside the full application, evaluation rubric, and process timeline, Lever for Change’s goal is to allow all potential applicants to make an informed decision about the capacity needed to participate in the Open Call, as well as their likelihood of success. In this way, the tool is an integral part of ensuring a transparent process in which all applicants have access to the same set of information with which to make a decision on whether to apply.

The Organization Readiness Tool is a standard and important feature of all Lever for Change Open Calls, and we have received positive feedback from applicants across Open Calls about its usefulness. The below Organization Readiness Tool is structured according to Lever for Change best practices, however, the questions contained herein have been drafted specifically for this initiative. The guiding questions are preceded by an introduction that outlines the tool’s purpose and context and reiterates the aim of the Open Call.

Which of the following best describes your organization? The Lead Organization is a single legal entity that has the legal responsibility, authority for, and control of the use of any grant funds, is responsible for the reporting on any grant funds, and must be able to exercise in fact and law direction, control, and supervision of the proposed project and grant funds.
Option	Response
An entity based in the United States and/or U.S. Territories that has received a tax determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that it is exempt from federal income tax as an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and a publicly supported organization described under section 509(a)(1) or (2) of the IRC and which tax determination letter is in effect.	We welcome applications from public charities across the United States and U.S. Territories.
An entity based in the United States and/or U.S. Territories that has received a tax determination letter from the IRS that it is exempt from federal income tax as an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC and is also classified as a Type I or Type II supporting organization described under section 509(a)(3) of the IRC, and which tax determination letter is in effect.	We welcome applications from public charities across the United States and U.S. Territories.
A fiscally sponsored project whose fiscal sponsor is an entity based in the United States and/or U.S. Territories and has received an IRS determination letter that it is exempt from federal income tax as an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC and a publicly supported organization described under section 509(a)(1) or (2) of the IRC and which tax determination letter is in effect; fiscal sponsors must exercise discretion and control over the grant funds.	We welcome applications from fiscally sponsored projects. Per the National Council of Nonprofits, a fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to help build the capacity of a charitable project. Should the applicant be selected as an awardee, the grant agreement will designate funds to the fiscal sponsor for the project specifically.
A governmental entity.	This Open Call is not a fit for you – state, local, and federal governmental entities including government units, instrumentalities, and federally funded institutions are not eligible to apply as a Lead Organization; however, they are eligible to serve as Collaborators, Subgrantees, or Contractors on an Application to assist the Lead Organization in implementing the proposed solution.
A public or private college, junior college, university, or other similar educational entity registered under section 501(c)(3) and section 509(a)(1) or (2) of the IRC that has received a tax determination letter from the IRS and which tax determination letter is in effect.	We welcome applications from public or private colleges, junior colleges, universities, or other similar educational entities that have received a determination letter from the IRS confirming their exemption from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Eligible institutions must also be classified as educational organizations described in sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the IRC, and their tax determination letter must remain in effect. Additionally, the specific program must align with sponsored research guidelines.
A for-profit organization, including limited liability companies (“LLCs”), benefit corporations, or hybrid organizations.	This Open Call is not a fit for you – for-profit organizations, including limited liability companies, benefit corporations, or hybrid organizations – are not eligible to apply as a Lead Organization; however, they are eligible to serve as Collaborators on an Application and receive a subgrant or contract from the Lead Organization to assist the Lead Organization in implementing the proposed solution.
A private operating foundation based in the United States and/or U.S. Territories under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC that has received a tax determination letter from the IRS.	We welcome applications from U.S.-based private foundations that have received a tax determination letter from the IRS.
An entity recognized as a 501(c)(4) organization.	This Open Call is not a fit for you – individuals, including entities that, from a tax perspective, lobby, are not eligible to apply. 527 organizations are not eligible to apply. 501(c)(4) organizations are eligible to serve as Collaborators on an Application but are not eligible to serve or receive any Award funds as a Subgrantee or Contractor.
I am an individual.	This Open Call is not a fit for you – individuals, including entities that, from a tax perspective, have the status of an individual, such individual-member LLCs, are not eligible to apply.
None of the above.	This Open Call might not be a fit for your organization.

Is your proposed solution designed to meaningfully expand access to homeownership in the United States in the next five years?
Option	Response
Yes.	Great. This Open Call seeks transformative, community-rooted solutions that are poised to significantly expand access to homeownership in the U.S. in the next five years. Applicants best fit for this opportunity will challenge the status quo of housing attainability and leverage fresh, innovative models to build bridges and create durable impact.
No.	This Open Call may not be a fit for your proposed solution. This Open Call seeks transformative, community-rooted solutions that are poised to significantly expand access to homeownership in the U.S. in the next five years. Applicants best fit for this opportunity will challenge the status quo of housing attainability and leverage fresh, innovative models to build bridges and create durable impact.

Is your organization able to share two years of financial statements?
Option	Response
Yes.	Great. As part of the Open Call process, we may ask you to share at least two years of financials and other materials related to your organizational and financial health. In this first stage, financial materials will not be collected, but you will be required to provide these materials should you advance to further stages of the Open Call.
No.	As part of the Open Call process, we may ask you to share at least two years of tax records and other materials related to your organizational health. In this first stage, financial materials will not be collected, but you will be required to provide these materials should you make it to the finalist stage. If you will not be able to provide at least two years of financial statements, this Open Call might not be a fit for your organization.

Is your proposed project innovative, *impactful, bridge-building, and durable? For further details, see the Scaling Pathways to Homeownership* Open Call evaluation criteria.**
Option	Response
Yes.	Great! The Scaling Pathways to Homeownership Open Call is designed to discover and invest in solutions that are poised to significantly expand housing and homeownership in the United States in the next five years. Proposals will be assessed on the extent to which they are innovative, impactful, bridge building, and durable.
No.	This Open Call may not be a fit for your proposed project. The Scaling Pathways to Homeownership Open Call is designed to discover and invest in solutions that are poised to significantly expand housing and homeownership in the United States in the next five years. Proposals will be assessed on the extent to which they are innovative, impactful, bridge-building, and durable.

Does your proposed project include or represent any of the following activities?
Option	Response
To make a grant to or otherwise transfer the Award funds to an organization or individual not involved in the implementation of the proposed solution as a Subgrantee or Contractor.	Projects whose work involves making a grant to or otherwise transferring the Award funds to an organization or individual not involved in the implementation of the proposed solution as a Subgrantee or Contractor are not eligible for this Open Call.
To make a grant that could be considered a grant to any individual for travel, study, or other similar purposes, within the meaning of section 4945(d)(3) of the IRC, including, without limitation, scholarships.	Projects whose work involves making a grant that could be considered a grant to any individual for travel, study, or other similar purposes, within the meaning of section 4945(d)(3) of the IRC, including, without limitation, scholarships are not eligible for this Open Call.
To make a grant to any organization, except in compliance with expenditure responsibility requirements, to the extent applicable.	Projects whose work involves making a grant to any organization, except in compliance with expenditure responsibility requirements, to the extent applicable, are not eligible for this Open Call.
For the creation of any endowment or for the aggregation of philanthropic capital by organizations that regrant to nonprofit organizations.	Projects whose work involves the creation of any endowment or for the aggregation of philanthropic capital by organizations that regrant to nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this Open Call.
For capital campaigns, including the construction of new sites or new buildings.	Projects that seek funding for capital costs, such as for a new building or site, are not eligible for this Open Call.
For the creation of a venture capital fund, or pooled funds to invest in or distribute to for-profit organizations.	Projects whose work includes the creation of a pooled fund or to invest in or distribute to for-profit organizations are not eligible for this Open Call.
To fund general operating support for the Lead Organization and/or any Subgrantee or Contractor.	Projects whose work involve funding general operating support for the Lead Organization and/or any Subgrantee or Contractor are not eligible for this Open Call.
To fund any Collaborator, meaning an individual or entity who or which partners with the Lead Organization, and Subgrantees, Contractors, and/or other Collaborators, as applicable, to carry out the proposed solution but does not receive any Award funds from the Lead Organization through a sub-grant, a contract, or otherwise.	Projects that will direct funds to a Collaborator are not eligible for this Open Call. “Collaborator” means an individual or entity who or which partners with the Lead Organization, and Subgrantees, Contractors, and/or other Collaborators, as applicable, to carry out the proposed solution but does not receive any Award funds from the Lead Organization through a sub-grant, a contract, or otherwise.
To fund lobbying and political activities that are not tax deductible in accordance with 26 U.S.C. § 6033(e).	Projects that involve lobbying and political expenditures that are not tax deductible in accordance with 26 U.S.C. § 6033(e) are not eligible for this Open Call.
To fund or undertake any activity for any purpose other than one specified in Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the IRC.	Projects that will fund or undertake any activity for any purpose other than one specified in Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the IRC are not eligible for this Open Call.
To pay down third-party operating deficits.	Projects that will use award funds to pay down third-party operating deficits are not eligible for this Open Call.
None of the above.	Great! Please note, projects seeking funding for those activities are not eligible for this Open Call.

Does your team have the time and capacity to complete an application by the application deadline of Thursday, January 29, 2026, and potentially participate in Participatory Review?
Option	Response
Yes.	Great. Please note that some applicants of past LFC Open Calls report spending up to 30 hours over the course of the application process. Applicants submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted.
No.	This Open Call might not be a fit for your organization. Please note that some applicants of past LFC Open Calls report spending up to 30 hours over the course of the application process.

Are you willing to share information about your organization, your work, and your approach with external audiences?
Option	Response
Yes.	Great. Please note that should your organization advance to various stages of the Open Call, your proposal will be reviewed by at least four peer and Evaluation Panel reviewers, donor team members, and Open Call administrators. Your application may be published online and will be distributed to others during the evaluation process. Please visit the Bold Solutions Network to see what information may be displayed from previous Lever for Change initiatives.
No.	If you prefer information related to your organization is not shared with external audiences, this Open Call may not be the right fit for you. Should your organization advance to various stages of the Open Call, your proposal will be reviewed by at least four peer and Evaluation Panel reviewers, donor team members, and Open Call administrators. Your application may be published online and will be distributed to others during the evaluation process. Please visit the Bold Solutions Network to see what information may be displayed from previous Lever for Change initiatives.

In what language do you intend to submit your application? Select one.
Option	Response
English.	The entire application must be in English to be considered. We acknowledge and understand the barrier this places on those for whom English is not a first language. However, because of the multiple review processes, English was chosen to provide consistency across all entries and reduce the risk of translation error or misinterpreting an application. We appreciate your accommodation and understanding. Please note, English language skills are not a criterion on which applications will be judged. We welcome and encourage those for whom English is not a first language to apply.
Another language (other than English).	The entire application must be in English to be considered. We acknowledge and understand the barrier this places on those for whom English is not a first language. However, because of the multiple review processes, English was chosen to provide consistency across all entries and reduce the risk of translation error or misinterpreting an application. We appreciate your accommodation and understanding. Please note, English language skills are not a criterion on which applications will be judged. We welcome and encourage those for whom English is not a first language to apply.

Thank you! Based on the information provided above, we encourage you to strongly consider if this Open Call is a good fit for your organization. Please take into consideration the information you have gathered from this tool including eligibility requirements, organizational capacity/time required to participate, the likelihood of your application being competitive, etc. If you believe your application may be successful, please register for the Open Call by Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. You must register in order to submit an application to the Open Call. Applications to the Open Call must be submitted by Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.

If your organization is not ready to participate in this Open Call, we hope you explore opportunities to partner with others or prepare to apply for other future awards. Sign up to learn about future Lever for Change initiatives here.

Scaling Pathways to Homeownership Open Call

Submit