15 Dec

Posted at 18:00h in Competency Eight, Competency Four, Competency Six, Competency Three, Evaluation, Funder Relations, Funding, Grants Management, Megan Campbell, Professionalism, Relationships
Starting a collaborative grant project that requires the successful coordination of team effort can feel daunting. While teamwork can improve myriad business functions, positively impact program delivery and outcomes, and drive organizational growth, implementing collaborative projects without a hitch is often a big challenge. It is no secret that teams often struggle with unfocused vision, lack of clarity and communication related to goals or deliverables, and waiting for other team members to do their part. However, one of the easiest ways to build a foundation for collaborative success is to ensure you have the right people on the team at the beginning.

08 Dec

Posted at 18:00h in Competency Eight, Competency One, Competency Three, Competency Two, Funder Relations, Funding, Megan Campbell, Organizational Readiness, Relationships, Research
An organization's board of directors has overarching “fiduciary responsibility” for the organization. What does that mean? According to BoardSource, “the board [of directors] is responsible for ensuring that the organization is appropriately stewarding the resources entrusted to it and following all legal and ethical standards.” This commitment by an organization’s governing body is the crux of fiduciary responsibility. While board members play an important role in assuring agency finances and grant funds are treated ethically, they are also partially responsible for resource development – that is, ensuring their organization has the resources needed to fulfill its mission. An active and engaged board of directors can be vital to the success of your grant team.

02 Dec

Posted at 20:32h in Competency Eight, Competency Three, Competency Two, Relationships, Research, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC., Strategy
Several years ago, I worked with a nonprofit client who had received funding from a particular foundation many times in the past. The client felt confident putting the funder on their own grant calendar for the upcoming year, allowing me to focus my time on another funding priority because they were sure that the foundation would continue its support. Despite my recommendation, the client did not want to approve any research time for current funders. However, when the rejection letter came, they were surprised. After reviewing the foundation’s recent priorities, it became clear that their focus had shifted, and the grant proposal they submitted no longer aligned with their new direction. That experience was a costly lesson for the client, reinforcing how critical it is to research every funder, even returning ones, before applying. This extra step can make the difference between receiving funding and being rejected.

17 Nov

Posted at 18:00h in Competency Six, Competency Three, Competency Two, Ethics, Organizational Development, Organizational Readiness, Program Design, Research, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC.
It is challenging for many nonprofits to find the right grant opportunities. It can be tempting to go after every grant opportunity. However, being selective is important. Not every grant is going to be the best fit for your organization. Choosing the wrong grant opportunity can potentially waste organizational time and resources.

22 Apr

Posted at 06:00h in Ashley Dooley, GPC, Competency Three, Kellie Brunguard, Program Design, Program Development, Relationships
From a very early age, we are taught to multitask. It seems embedded in the American culture of go-go-go and do-do-do. You may be eating lunch and socializing with friends, or watching a sporting event while taking a business call, or cooking dinner while helping your kids with homework. You probably do not even catch yourself multitasking, because it happens so frequently.

21 Jan

Posted at 18:00h in Competency Four, Competency Three, Competency Two, Culture, Organizational Development, Program Design, Relationships, Shauna O'Toole, Strategy
Have you encountered inefficiency, frustration, or even conflict when working with a group to develop a grant proposal? Take heart. This is normal. Most teams struggle and experience conflict before they begin performing at their peak. The Stages of Group Development framework, developed by Bruce Tuckman (1965) describes this process. This blog will briefly describe Tuckman’s framework and then apply these ideas to grant proposal development.

30 Oct

Posted at 23:26h in Competency Six, Competency Three, Consulting, Courses, Ethics, Ethics, GPCI Competencies, Grant Training Series, Grant Writing, How-To, Tracey Diefenbach

    Ethics: The Ethics of Program Design: Plans and Partners Session 5 of the Ethics Series Creating a high-quality grant proposal can be challenging when organizations may also be designing the program at the same time. Alignment to the mission of the organization and its strategic plan versus...

12 Oct

Posted at 10:58h in Competency Four, Competency Six, Competency Three, Consulting, Courses, Ethics, Ethics, GPCI Competencies, Grant Training Series, Grant Writing, How-To, Leah Hyman

    Grant Ethics: Ethics for Grant Proposal Need Statements Session 4 of the Grant Ethics Series The way grant professionals describe the needs of their community is an important part of persuading reviewers and grant funders to award a grant. Which need is greatest and most aligned to...

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 20:31h in Competency Four, Competency Three, Courses, GPCI Competencies, Partnerships, Tracey Diefenbach, Uncategorized

  Having Trouble Getting What You Need? Try Managing Up Session 5 of the Partnerships Series $50 | 60 minutes Enroll Now     Productive working relationships are a crucial, but challenging component in collaborative grant projects. Grant professionals are often tasked with bringing these partners together, which means addressing challenges, including...