Creating a high-quality grant report is a key step in fostering a lasting relationship with your funders. This step can often be overlooked and undervalued in relation to the time investment it deserves. Reports are your chance to show the funder how the program or...
Successful Grant Reporting What about when you’re left without a format!? Grant writers tend to be rule followers. We crave structure and details. We’re all about formats, deadlines, and word counts (well sometimes). But what should you do when a funder wants a report but doesn’t provide...
Letters of Support and Commitment Basics Many grants now require attachments called letters of support or letters of commitment. These letters, if created well, can provide significant additional information and credibility to your proposal. Important content to include in each type of letter will be covered...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, parents with children under age 18 are more likely to volunteer than persons without children, 31.3 percent versus 22.6 percent (in the year 2015). There are many benefits and reasons to volunteer with kids. First, interests and habits established...
This Giving Tuesday, it’s not all about giving money: it’s about also giving your time and talents. Here are three ways to give back this holiday season that don’t involve opening up your wallet. Cultivate an attitude of abundance. One of the biggest fears held...
The credentials behind my name state that I am a certified grant writer with the technical knowledge needed to write a strong grant proposal. I love logic models, evidence-based strategies, and rigorous data collection methods. Those things make my job easier. Yet the clients I...
We’ve all been there. The grant calendar was solidified months ago. Prospective proposals have been spread out across the year so they can each get the attention they’re due and then bam! A last-minute funding opportunity arises, and you just can’t bear to let it...
Recently, I taught a class on prospect research. It sold out in two days. Grant professionals, development directors, and non-profit leaders all wanted to know the best way to do prospect research and how to find time to do it well. As grant consultants, we are...
There are 3 reasons why grant writers should be paid regardless of whether a grant is awarded or not. Grant success depends on many things. The quality of the grant writing is only one component. Additional key components include: Whether the grant opportunity is a good match, ...
Many people have asked me over the years how I went from being a music teacher to a grant writer. I think there are two key components which made this a very natural transition for me. My liberal arts music education degree emphasized quality no...