28 Jan

Posted at 13:06h in Competency Two, Funding, Funding Opportunities, Organizational Development, Strategy
Diversifying a portfolio of funding opportunities can be more than seeking foundation and federal grants. In the current funding landscape, organizations have the capacity to add legislative affairs to their ongoing activities in the pursuit of additional funds to achieve their mission. Did you know that nonprofits are eligible to pursue Congressional Directed Spending and/or Community Project Funding?

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.

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.

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.

04 Sep

Posted at 08:33h in Competency Three, Evaluation, Logic Models, Program Design, Program Development, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC.
In the realm of program planning, evaluation, and development, two widely used tools are logic models and theories of change. While both are valuable for understanding and guiding interventions, they differ significantly in their approaches and purposes. Let’s examine the main distinctions between a logic model and a theory of change by exploring their characteristics and providing practical examples to illustrate their applications.

11 Aug

Posted at 16:36h in Competency Four, Evaluation, Grant Reporting, Program Design, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC.
Writing a successful grant proposal is a challenging task that requires careful planning, a clear vision, and a well-structured approach. Among the essential components of a grant proposal are goals, outcomes, outputs, and objectives. These terms are often used interchangeably or confused with one another, leading to misunderstanding on the funder’s part and potential rejection of the proposal. In this blog, we will delve into the distinctions between these concepts and explore their significance in the context of grant applications.

31 Jul

Posted at 12:48h in Competency Three, Competency Two, Culture, Funding, Grant Reporting, Grants Management, Organizational Development, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC.

Nonprofits and not-for-profits share many similarities and, in practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. The key similarities and differences between these types of organizations are nuanced. Nonprofits and not-for-profits are mission-driven organizations with a shared purpose of serving the public or charitable needs. They are...

24 Jul

Posted at 13:23h in Competency One, Research, Roxanne Jensen, ED. SPEC., Strategy
Did you know that while there are two main types of 501(c)(3) organizations, the IRS has set nine different activities to qualify as a 501(c)(3) organization? Organizations with 501(c)(3) status play a vital role in serving communities and advancing various charitable causes. Known for their tax-exempt status, they are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations, making them appealing avenues for philanthropy. While most of us are aware of these organizations' existence, there might be some intriguing facts yet to be uncovered. In this blog post, we will explore the two main types of 501(c)(3) organizations and delve into the nine different activities outlined by the IRS that qualify for 501(c)(3) status.