February 11th 12:00pm ET

In this session, we'll explore the ramifications of some funders now asking applicants whether AI assisted with their work---sometimes asking about helping with other times asking about doing the writing work. AI's capabilities continue to grow, so the possibilities for "assistance" emerge and change rapidly.
Some of today's funders are asking: "Did you use AI to write this grant application?"
We take a moment to consider our answer. Do we infer from that question that they are simply gathering data? Or do we infer that they will view any AI-assisted applications negatively, or possibly reject them outright? Or do they view them positively, seeing it as an equity opportunity for smaller organizations?
First, we advocate only for a truthful reply. Next, the details you provide in your answer to that question come down to two things:
(1.) Your organization's documented AI policy, and
(2.) Your comfort level in your relationship with that funder.

April 15th 12:00pm ET

A culture of grants is a mainstreamed mindset throughout your team and organization that elevates your entire grants cycle, from readiness, research, and relationships to writing and reporting. It ultimately enhances your successes by building shared interest, awareness, and involvement.
You can and should build and hone this culture, starting by selecting individuals and then intentionally growing the culture from there. We will guide you through all the considerations for leveraging a grant team to shape the grants culture---as well as other methods to continuously keep the culture's ongoing construction solid and architecturally robust.
A culture that you take the time to develop and nurture will bring about inspiring results! Your entire grants cycle will be stronger and more effective.

June 10th 12:00pm ET

You know that your organization wants and needs to pursue grants. Your mission is critical, you are committed to the communities you serve, and you need to consistently sustain your work. Your passion drives you. Where to start? Which grantmakers to seek out?
You might think for a moment, "Can we just try applying to a whole bunch of foundations that we've heard of and hope for the best? That might be pretty good, playing the odds, projecting the probabilities---right?"
We call this "throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks." We advise against it as a grant strategy. It will exhaust you and, ultimately, will be unproductive and disheartening.
When you think about pursuing grants, you might think about casting a very wide net, working under the assumption that the more you apply, the more you will be awarded. Unfortunately, that strategy is almost never successful as grantmakers can tell when an application is not customized to talk about alignment between your organization and theirs.
But don't worry. We understand that the pressure to submit more grants to new funders is real. This session will provide you space and insight to take a few moments to consider your organization's future, your organization's focus, your organization's needs. And really close in on what matters.

August 11th 12:00pm ET

Let's talk about your elevator pitch! It's that incredibly useful tool that you carry around in your mental notes so that when you first meet someone or are casually (or not so casually) chatting with anyone about your work or volunteerism, you can easily and succinctly share the value of your work and its urgency. When you are ready without hesitation, it is quite effective, and your passion for your work is immediately evident.
Whether you have an elevator pitch already (or pre-strategized message), we will work together to ensure you have a refined elevator pitch by the end of the session.
Then, for the very important next step, we'll make plans together to "take it to the street"---or make that, plans to train your grant team to confidently take it to the street!
This session is just as much about nurturing your team's enthusiasm as it is about having a united message ready to go.

October 14th 12:00pm ET

Because a funder is not typically immersed in the change they are effecting, often, we grant writers/grant professionals need to convey critical needs using only words and numbers. Yet, we really need the grant reviewer to feel connected and moved to action.
In this session, we will help you identify your organization’s personas and how they can help you tell a story that will more impactfully reach grant reviewers. While the term is familiar in marketing and communications, we propose a strategic and unique application tailored specifically for the grants world. We will also explore methods for clarifying and understanding the specific, special personas that are unique to your organization. Finally, we will guide you through how you can apply personas in your writing to transform your proposals and secure funding.

As Robert Frost wrote, "...I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep" (Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, 1923). After we receive an award, like Frost, we now have much to do, and we want to follow through on our obligations to our communities and our grantmaker.
Frost's plan might have been to get back on his horse, say "giddyup," and ride home.
For grant recipients, the approach is a little different. The funder's award notification activates the grant recipient's (your) initiation phase, when your team convenes and makes concrete plans to begin and ultimately complete your project.
It is an exciting time, full of energy and many, many details! This is the time when you set the stage for fulfilling the promises you made. It involves a good number of important tasks to complete.

In this session, we will guide you through three key components of the initiation phase:
- Acknowledging the funder for the award
- Getting your financial ducks in a row to administer the grant
- Setting up project assignments and tracking