Don't Let Grants Stress You Out
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…
We’re so excited to announce the 2025 Top Grant Writing Blogs to Follow. The goal of DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services is to help nonprofits create incredible change in their communities. We do this by assisting nonprofit organizations with competitively researching, applying for, and receiving grant funding to best serve our clients and have a significant impact in their communities, taking the…
Note from Diane: You know how passionate our team is about thinking about your grant management work (your post-award work) to help strengthen your grant applications (your pre-award) work. It’s why we partner with MyFedTrainer.com to deliver grant writing supports and training on both the pre-award and post-award side of things. That’s why we’re thrilled to bring these tactical tips to you from Jitasa to…
This Fall when our team got together for a planning retreat, we had fun filming short clips with #grantstips including short one-liners. ICYMI or want a refresher of our tips, here it is for your viewing pleasure: When I posted the video to LinkedIn, I tagged some of my trusted colleagues in the field to find out what one-line grant tips they would…
Welcome to “Grammar Kerfuffles,” a blog series from DH Leonard Consulting that you will see here on the semi-regular. We will explore fun grammar insights that elevate the power of the written word in grant writing. If you like “fun” and “grammar” being next to each other in the previous sentence, this blog series is for you. If you do not (yet), hang out…
The world is evaluating whether and how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI). Prognosticators say that the concept and functionality of AI are here to stay, and will most certainly grow. For those of us whose work is creative, focusing in particular on the grant writing work of our team, using AI represents an ethical gray area. (ICYMI: The Grant Professionals Association has been talking…
As grant professionals, we’re constantly focused on deadlines, applications, and making a difference for the causes we care about. Our team has had an ongoing focus on overall wellness, mental health, and mindfulness, given that our work as grant professionals is very sedentary and has a high rate of burnout. As we celebrate World Mental Health Day (October 10th) we are taking a moment to…
Yes and yes—a solid grant writing process often includes both copy editing and mock review, but from separate reviewers and at different milestones in the timeline. Each one ensures high quality, but they result in different types of feedback. Copy Editing The purpose. All types of grant documents that you create should go through a copy edit. DH Leonard Consulting has a dedicated…