Monthly Webinar | August 2026 | Risk Assessment as a Strategic Grant Partnership Tool-Video Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker argues that risk assessment in grants management should do more than identify problems or justify award decisions. Instead, it can strengthen the funder-grantee relationship by building trust, reducing unnecessary conflict, supporting resilience, and encouraging informed risk-taking and innovation. Risk assessment should be treated as a collaborative, transparent process in which both parties contribute to project success.<br /><br />The talk explains that risk assessment can happen before award, on a regular schedule, and continuously as new risks emerge. It should be based on data such as applications, audits, financial statements, monitoring reports, policies and procedures, and eligibility systems like SAM.gov. The speaker emphasizes using clear scoring rubrics, avoiding overly broad risk categories, fully documenting findings, and linking results to monitoring plans, technical assistance, award conditions, and corrective action.<br /><br />Risk assessment is connected to the Green Book’s internal control framework, especially control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. The overall message is that strong funder engagement, high standards, and tailored support lead to better grantee performance and stronger grant outcomes.

Keywords

risk assessment

grants management

funder-grantee relationship

internal control framework

grant monitoring

award conditions

technical assistance

grantee performance

risk-taking innovation