What do you think the “Grants Word of the Year” is for 2026? You thought I was going to say “AI,” didn’t you? Well, technically that would have been two words, but regardless, nope….
Posts Published byDiane Leonard, GPC, RST
20 Things I Have Learned in Running a Grant Writing Business
20 years. DH Leonard Consulting has been focused on taking the stress out of grants for nonprofit organizations for more than two decades. It is hard to believe. I guess time does fly when you’re…
Feedback – What Matters Most? Funder’s Feedback AFTER or Fresh Eyes from Colleagues BEFORE?
Everyone wants funder feedback…. We do too. BUT if you wait for funder feedback after a decision has been made about your proposal, it is too late. Nearly always, when grant professionals request…
3,500 reasons to give…
I had you there, right? You were wondering if it was a well-intentioned Giving Tuesday blog posted a few days late… I promise, it’s not! Rather, it is the opening to a story of a…
Gaining a Different Perspective about Storytelling in Fundraising
When I speak at the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, I am usually the only speaker talking about grants and storytelling (with the exception of the awesome Frank Velasquez), as the other speakers like Steven Screen, Tammy…
Multi-Factor Systems Causing Inefficiencies Added Stress in Grant-Seeking Processes
I have started to count… …Not how many awards we have won this year, or how many dollars have been secured (we already count those all the time). …Not how many days in advance of…
Beyond Rejection: The Untapped Potential of Feedback from Your AWARDED Grants
In the world of nonprofits, a grant denial often triggers a familiar routine: a deep breath, a review of the application, and an email to the grantmaker requesting feedback. We’re taught to learn from our…
Balancing Innovation & Integrity: AI in Grant Writing
Our team at DH Leonard Consulting is always trying to think of new ways to “Don’t Let Grants Stress You Out,” whether you are a grant-writing client, a grant-training participant, or a broader member of…
Navigating the Uncertainty and Stress of Federal Grants 2025
With all the uncertainty surrounding federal funding and the government right now, we know how challenging it can feel to stay focused on your mission. The shifting landscape makes it harder than ever to plan…
Grant Professionals are Superheroes
If I know one thing deep in my gut as a grant professional and business owner, it is that change is inevitable. It might sound cheesy (my teenagers love to call out my cheesy…