The grant functioned in reverse of typical grants in that the Kellogg Foundation required a series of 6 daylong workshops, one-per month, to be completed before accepted grant proposals from the individual teams. The Kellogg Foundation, with help from the Heartland Center for Leadership Development established a listing of workshop themes and potential presenters for the various themes. Each workshop was to have two presentations, and a demonstration of current technology. Topics for workshops included:
- Living with Change
- Asset Mapping
- Asset Mapping Applied
- Human and Electronic Networks
- Policy Education
- Participatory Decision-Making
- Project Planning and Implementation
- Evaluation
- Building Coalitions
- Managing Conflict
- Funding Community Projects & Organizations
- Helping People Work Together
- Maintaining momentum
- Managing Technology
- Technology as a Tool for Development
The cluster could determine the workshops and the presenters from the provided listing. The demonstration on current technology and its presenter was determined by the steering committee, which was comprised of one member from each of the teams. This committee also coordinated the workshops. The Kellogg Foundation funded the entire cost of the workshops including, the presenter’s stipend, rent for the venue, and a luncheon. Team members time and travel cost were not reimbursed.
The teams were required to meet several criteria before becoming eligible to submit a grant for consideration. These criteria included:
- Teams of 10 members with 5 alternates
- Attendance of at least 10 members to each of the workshops.