Hey Reader, "We've exhausted all potential funding opportunities." Those words came from the advancement officer of a well-established nonprofit during our first conversation. Their organization had been around for years, making significant impact with youth and producing ripple effects throughout their community. But they were facing a funding crossroads: Current grantmakers were starting to "wean" them off There was no prospective grant pipeline in sight Growing individual giving program...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, A common piece of advice that you’ve probably heard in the grants world is, “Don’t save your budget for last.” And I wholeheartedly agree on that, because there are so many elements of the budget that take time to develop and ensure alignment with your proposal narrative. But, you know what I hear less often (but should)? Don’t wait until you have the award to start thinking about grant management! Grant management should be at the forefront of proposal development. Here’s why:...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, Happy New Year! I took the entire month of December off from this newsletter and (mostly) from social media. 2024 was a busy year for me personally and professionally, in addition to being an overwhelming year on the global scale. I hope that your 2024 wrap-up was as relaxing or exciting as you needed it to be. I have to admit that over at least the past two years, I have been struggling with embracing joy while also witnessing huge injustices in the world. I know it’s not new nor...
8 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader! If you’re anything like me, you hate seeing things used once and then discarded. I’m all about recycling and repurposing to get as much mileage as possible. 🍲 Last night’s dinner 🎨 a shoebox turned diorama (I was a crafty kid) 📄 Or that recently crafted grant proposal Content repurposing helps your nonprofit communicate with constituents and grantmakers without constantly recreating the wheel and stressing you out. Nonprofit employee burnout is a real thing, so, let’s do what we...
12 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! This summer is going by way too fast! I’ve been busy with proposals and reports, and developing some communications for a really cool community literacy project. I’m coming up for air just in time for a few professional development and networking opportunities local to me. I’m excited to attend a GPA New England networking meeting (virtually) and attend a regional meeting for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network. I’m looking forward to taking time to connect with community members...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! It’s the start of summer and for some nonprofits that means slowing down a bit to reflect and prepare for the fall. For others, this is the season where you’re in the thick of things with summer camps, apprenticeships, strategic planning, outreach, and more. No matter which state of activity your organization is in right now, I hope you get time to decompress and set yourself up for a lower stress remainder of 2024. Nonprofit staff and educator burnout are real. And it’s causing a...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, I’ve been attending grantmaker panels over the past few months and these sessions have been truly insightful. Of course, each grantmaker’s priorities and practices are different, but there is a theme that stood out to me in nearly every session: Grantmakers are researching you, just the way you are researching them. At a meet & greet with nonprofits and grantmakers, one program officer described how her organization researches nonprofits who reach out requesting a grant. She shared...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader! I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely a fan of calendars. I put even the smallest things on my calendar as I’m planning out my day, month, or year. If it’s not on my calendar then it *probably* won’t happen. That’s why I think developing a grant calendar is so important. Whether you are an organization with multiple people involved in the planning and execution process of grants and fundraising or a one-person grant-seeking shop. Grant calendars help to map out one aspect of...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, If you've worked in nonprofits long enough, you've probably been asked to or have completed a grant application within a short window. Sometimes requests for proposals (RFPs) have a short 30-day window, or you're alerted to a grant that's due in a few short days. That’s hardly enough time to gather the information needed to develop a strong proposal. Grant funding deadlines can sneak up like that, and you don't want to be the unfortunate staff or board member putting together a...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
