Don't Let Grants Stress You Out
Have you ever heard a Jock Jams song (Jock Jams were compilation albums released between 1995 and 1999)? Maybe a single song like “I Like to Move It?” Jock Jams – I Like to Move it Or the very popular Mega Mix? Jock Jams MegaMix These are songs that are sure to inspire and fire up the players at a sporting event…
I took the helm as President of the Grant Professionals Association on January 1, 2020. Our membership was climbing. Our annual conference was selling out often. The educational offerings provided by the organization were growing, too, in terms of the number and type of courses as well as the level of content. I was looking forward to an incredible year, ready to build relationships with…
Most people fall into grant writing almost by chance. Maybe someone recognized your writing skills and voila! You were “voluntold.” Perhaps you were coordinating a community program or project for a nonprofit or local government and needed a way to sustain those important efforts. Either way, those writing skills drew you in. It makes sense, given the most common way to describe the process is…
My Fundraising HayDay podcast co-host and dear friend Amanda Day experienced a new way of looking at things during a recent vacation. While the new ice cream flavors and beautiful seascapes she discovered along the coast of Maine must have been breathtaking, a singular revelation came to her as she squinted at her phone. A friend noticed her discomfort and lent her reading glasses—literally changing…
Collaboration is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, especially in the grant world. We all like to think we collaborate with our fellow nonprofits, local governments, and other neighbors, but do we really? True collaboration, simply put, is so much more than support. It brings knowledge, money, staff, and resources to bear for the mutual benefit of two or more…
One of my favorite things about the summer is the free time. I do not have to cart my kids around to practice, help with homework, or stick to the school year’s schedule. That extra time is spent doing all the things we love: watching the summer blockbuster movies, enjoying laidback days with friends, and experiencing an adventure or two. For me, summer always…
The check-in meeting had already run an hour over. Together, we navigated the choppy seas of registration through login.gov, sam.gov, and grants.gov for the executive director (ED) and the chief development officer. I was discussing a complex program packaging for a client’s first foray into larger-scale federal funding. After extensive prospect research, we had identified this opportunity and added it to the grants calendar. It…
Many agencies hire a grant consultant to start or help grow their grant portfolio. And while that may seem like a simple solution to your grant woes, a they do not magically appear and take all the work off your plate. A good working relationship requires ongoing communication, shared resources, and joint effort. So, what should you expect when you hire a grant consultant? …
As a grant writer (or grant professional, as members of our team prefer), your job is to write compelling grant applications to secure funding for your organization. It requires a unique set of skills, including researching funding opportunities, understanding the needs of your organization, crafting a convincing narrative, and navigating the application process. But what about daily habits? What are the things grant writers do…
Years ago, the Grant Professionals Association started the Conference Navigators Program as part of their annual conference. They pair regular attendees with first-timers a month or two before the conference. Conference navigators typically email first-timers before the event, sharing advice, and offering to answer any questions. I always warn to dress in layers that can overcome fluctuating room temperatures; bring comfortable shoes; participate in one…