Don't Let Grants Stress You Out
If we were flippant, we would say that objectives and outcomes are both grant-related words that start with “O.” And the potential for confusion might not end there. Do not despair. Our writing team is here to help navigate various grant elements with you and for you, including what to do when a *grantmaker* uses the language in a confusing way. Grant writers…
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 ahead, and the pressure to secure funding is heavier than ever. With 2025 well underway, staying up to date on federal grant opportunities, best practices, and evolving regulations is more…
Note from Diane: 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 ahead, and the pressure to secure funding is heavier than ever. That is why we are so happy to have this guest post for you from CommunityPass….
Note from Diane: It is important to remember your best practices in times of change. Those best practices are the foundation of a successful and sustainable grant-seeking strategy. Thrilled to have a guest post to share with our community that reminds us of exactly that. The state of nonprofit grants is in flux in 2025, as a U.S. government funding freeze threw a curveball…
As grant writers, we strategize how to use powerful words. That skill is our superpower. We weave evocative, compelling narratives in an effort to move our audiences to action. Naturally, we find words and wording fascinating. Recently, we learned that the word “priority” did not always have a plural form. What? Wow! Think about that fact for a moment and how it would change…
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 moments, so I’m preempting them by calling it myself), but the way you, as well as your grant team and larger organization teams, adjust to changes that impact your plans,…
A fresh year has our team collecting and reflecting on 2024 data, which leads us to want to share the top 6 blogs that YOU, our incredible reader, have chosen as our top-read blogs of 2024. Our team loves sharing our knowledge when it comes to the 5 R’s of grant writing, and we can’t wait for another year of resources to share with…
Grammar Kerfuffles: Third Installment (View the other installments here) As I edit drafts of our grant narratives, I enjoy seeing effective use of the “not only…but also” construction from time to time. “Not only…but also” connotes a dual outcome, emphasizing another level of benefits (or impact or needs, etc.) that surprise the reader beyond what they anticipated. It adds powerful emphasis. It can…
Question: Hello! I’m a grant writer/consultant who has been working with a client who lacks skills in funder cultivation and stewardship, and it’s really hindering them building a strong grants program. There are several large, local foundations that could give significant, multi-year funding, but it takes relationship-building. I’ve written many email drafts for my client to send for an inital reach out, but there’s rarely…
Grammar Kerfuffles: Second Installment (View the other installments here) Welcome to installment #2 of the grant writing blog series “Grammar Kerfuffles,” presented for you by DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services! Today we examine the choice (dilemma?) between first person and third person, which arises regularly in grant writing (as you very likely know). Ground rules for our exploration before diving in: The…