Blog

26 Nov

Posted at 20:09h in Competency Two, Logic Models, Organizational Development, Program Design, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC., Strategy
“When the money keeps rolling out, you don’t keep books. You can tell you’ve done well by the happy, grateful looks. Accountants only slow things down, figures get in the way.” – Evita by Andrew Llyod Weber. In actuality, did you know that nonprofits are accountable for impact measurement? Impact measurement is a critical process for nonprofits to assess their effectiveness in achieving their mission and making a positive difference in the communities they serve. By measuring and evaluating their impact, nonprofits can determine whether their programs and initiatives are successful and identify areas for improvement. Impact measurement is a critical aspect of nonprofit management. This aspect involves assessing and quantifying the outcomes and effectiveness of a nonprofit's programs and initiatives in relation to its stated mission and goals. By measuring the impact of their work, nonprofits can demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders, including donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the public.

13 Nov

Posted at 06:01h in Competency Seven, Professional Development, Professionalism, Shauna O'Toole
“Will I see you at GrantSummit?” This year, for the first time, my answer was “Yes.” In early November 2023, I attended GrantSummit (formerly known as the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Annual Conference) in Kansas City, Missouri. This multi-day conference is the premier professional development event for grant professionals in the U.S. I have attended this conference before as a virtual attendee, but this year was my first experience traveling to the event. I have three key takeaways from my in-person experience:

30 Oct

Posted at 16:58h in Competency Seven, Kellie Brunguard, Professional Development, Professionalism
Know Before You Go This year, GrantSummit is bringing all the grant pros to our hometown, Kansas City, Missouri! Assel Grant Services (AGS) is based here in the Heartland Chapter with staff spanning Kansas to Virginia and from Ohio down to Kentucky. If this is your first time in Kansas City, keep reading for insider tips on restaurants and things to see.

22 Oct

Posted at 18:07h in Competency One, Funding Opportunities, Industry News
Funding Alert! Opportunities for STEM Education The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program is one of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) cornerstones when it comes to producing research and resources for improving undergraduate education. This core program has been around for quite some time and it is open to application from all institutions of higher education, including 4-year institutions and 2-year community colleges. This is the kind of program where innovative teaching approaches will be quite appealing, as the program has been around for a long time.

02 Oct

Posted at 17:17h in Competency Four, Competency Three, Evaluation, Program Design, Program Development, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC.
Grant writing evaluation is the systematic process of assessing the effectiveness and impact of your project or organization. Evaluation is not merely a formality but a critical aspect of the grant application process. Funders want to know that their investment will lead to positive outcomes and measurable results. Grantmaking organizations want assurance that their funds will be used wisely. A well-planned evaluation strategy showcases your commitment to being accountable for the resources you receive. While quantifiable metrics such as the number of people served are essential, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to grant evaluation.

24 Sep

Posted at 21:09h in Budgets, Organizational Development, Organizational Readiness, Shauna O'Toole
Part One of this article covered Financial Statements and the four components (Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Activities, Statement of Functional Expenses, and Statement of Cash Flows). Next, we will cover budgets and other common financial attachments. Remember, these attachments tell your organization’s story just as much as the words in your narrative, so invest adequate time in preparing these files.

23 Sep

Posted at 07:18h in Grants in Action, Industry News, Success Stories
The Golden Scoop, a nonprofit organization, received a $50,000 grant from Arcare to establish a second ice cream and coffee shop location. This expansion aims to offer delicious treats to the community and provide essential workforce development training to young adults with developmental disabilities. The goal is to empower these uniquely-abled individuals to lead independent lives and achieve financial independence by earning a livable wage.

17 Sep

Posted at 11:21h in Grants in Action, Industry News, Success Stories
Benilde Hall, a Kansas City, Missouri-based nonprofit, has a 30-year history of providing services for treating substance use disorder (SUD), mental health, and homelessness, so individuals may return to the community as responsible, employed, and permanently housed members of society.  Benilde Hall is one of the only low-barrier treatment facilities in the region serving adult males ages 18 and older. The agency recently received a $199,900 grant from the Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund to fund an expansion of their services for individuals experiencing homelessness, SUD, and/or co-occurring mental illness.

14 Sep

Posted at 20:15h in Budgets, Competency Three, Competency Two, Shauna O'Toole
  Did you know that budgets and financial documents are often the first things a grant reviewer will read when considering an organization’s proposal? Sometimes grant professionals leave attachments and budgets for the end, perhaps because these documents can be confusing or intimidating to those of us without an accounting background. This two-part guide will help you correctly identify which attachment the funder is requesting and explain why it is helpful for the funder to have the information contained in each document.

10 Sep

Posted at 21:45h in Grants in Action, Industry News, Success Stories
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF) to continue their mission of promoting arts education and cultural diversity through their annual Ailey II performance series. With this funding, KCFAA will bring the internationally renowned dance company to local schools and host public performances at the historic Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City. Ailey II merges the spirit and energy of the country's best dance talent with the passion and creative vision of Alvin Ailey. Through this grant, KCFAA aims to bring Ailey II, a renowned dance company, to perform at local schools and host public performances, promoting arts education and cultural diversity.