Panel members used the meeting’s closing session to reflect on the year's grantmaking process and to identify steps to improve outreach and program impact.

Multiple members praised the use of a letter-of-interest stage, streamlined survey scoring and the two-round review process, saying it reduced review burden and produced clearer follow-up questions. One board member summarized the change as enabling reviewers to read “new applications” in the second round rather than re-reading large budgets for every applicant.

Members proposed practical next steps: strengthen onboarding for four incoming board members; expand outreach to local community foundations and donors to help match transportation or capital needs (for example, vans mentioned by several applicants); and prepare annual communications or a roadshow to show policymakers how the board’s investments benefit specific counties and cities.

On reporting and award conditions, the panel agreed staff should work with applicants to revise scopes when the board allocates partial funding or restricts funds to particular components (for example, restricting a grant to fellowship instructors rather than general operating costs). Members also discussed geographic targeting and suggested updating the program’s funding-tracking spreadsheet to highlight gaps (by population and activity) to guide next year’s priorities.

The meeting recessed for lunch with a plan to finalize award amounts after staff confirm revised budgets and applicant acceptance of any restrictions.