Don't Let Grants Stress You Out
I’m not very kind to my wireless/Bluetooth keyboards. In fact, I have lost track of how many times I have dropped salad dressing or cracker crumbs on my keyboard. If I look back over our tech orders for our 20+ years in business, it is probably quadruple the number of times I bought a new keyboard, given that the spills were often not catastrophic. …
For many nonprofits, securing a grant is a moment of pure celebration, until the realities of complex compliance and reporting surface. Tracking deliverables, managing restricted funding, and collecting auditable metrics can place a heavy administrative burden on a team, distracting dedicated professionals from their primary community mission. Fortunately, supportive frameworks from the Agile methodology offer a clear path forward. By adapting a collaborative Scrum…
“When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated.” – Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection I have high standards and expectations. They absolutely apply to myself and also to those that I work with, whether in a paid or volunteer capacity. (Also, of note, they apply to those in my personal life, whether my spouse, children, extended…
“Boundaries are basically about providing structure, and structure is essential in building anything that thrives.” – Henry Cloud I’ll be the first to admit that setting and keeping boundaries are two distinct skills that might take practice to use well. Unfortunately, both are skills that I have struggled with in my 20, and counting, years in business. The harsh reality I had to…
The Shift from Transactional to Transformational Grantmaker relationship management moves your organization away from “chasing the money” toward building a mutual partnership based on shared goals. Many organizations treat grants as simple financial transactions, but high-performing nonprofits view grantmakers as investors in their mission. This shift requires consistent communication that isn’t always tied to a request for funding. By focusing on shared impact, you…
A sustainable grant-research strategy ensures that every funding pursuit advances your organization’s mission and long-term stability. Rather than reacting to every opportunity that appears, a thoughtful approach focuses on ensuring alignment between a funder’s priorities and your organization’s strategic goals and capacity. Defining Your Strategic Funding Priorities Strategic priorities act as the ultimate filter for narrowing down potential funders to those that truly match…
Grant funding can be the lifeblood of a mission-driven organization, but the process often feels opaque and overwhelming. It’s not just about filling out a form; it’s a strategic lifecycle that, when followed correctly, positions your organization for long-term success and strong partnerships. Mastering the Five Rs of Grant Writing is the key to unlocking this potential and moving beyond transactional funding to meaningful collaboration….
Grant readiness is the single most important factor in determining how competitive your organization will be when applying for foundation or government grants. Although many organizations believe they are ready simply because they need the funds, true readiness (readiness to succeed, that is) involves a proactive strategy that aligns your programs, capacity, and long-term goals. Table of Contents Defining Grant Readiness Top Tips for…
Good writing within any organization should not reflect any one individual’s personality, even though some days we want to add a little flair just for fun. All your organization’s writing needs a united identity, a uniformity that makes it uniquely your organization’s. A Grant Writing Style Guide ensures that your organization maintains that professional, consistent voice across all funding applications. By standardizing elements like fonts,…
There is only one type of badge I like to wear for work – a conference badge. Yes, the kind on a lanyard with the option to add pins to the lanyard and ribbons to the bottom of the name badge. They are a great opportunity to show a little personality at the conferences and also make for some great art in the office afterward….