Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 8, 2025

Clarify Expectations Early Meet with leadership to define realistic goals: How many grants per quarter? Rally Internal Support Designate grant champions across departments to help gather data, stories, and budget inputs. To cope effectively, heres what works best: 1. What types of funders? unrelated fundraising, event planning).

Grant

Clairification

JULY 14, 2025

Set a Clear, Compelling Goal Online donors aren’t mind readers. That means skipping the vague generalities (“support our mission!”) What happens if you don’t reach the goal? And don’t forget: a compelling goal isn’t just about numbers. Donors want to solve a problem — not fund a budget line item. That’s not just a goal.

Fundraising

Grant Writer Team

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Mastering your projected budget does not have to be as difficult as you might think. Nonprofits need a projected annual budget for transparency, especially if grant funding is needed. Nonprofits seeking grant funding need to provide an annual budget to the funding source. Mastering Your Projected Budget in 5 Simple Steps: 1.

Budget

GrantNews

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Private foundations Community foundations Corporations State Government Local Government Federal Government Pro Tip: If your organization is small (budget under $1 million), new (in existence for less than five years), or has never received a grant larger than $45,000, smaller foundations will be your best funding sources.

Grant

Millionaire Grant Lady

JANUARY 24, 2025

At minimum, you will always want to submit your IRS Determination Letter, proving that youre a non-profit, and a program budget (or overall budget, if youre looking for general operating funding). Program Budget: An ideal program budget will include both revenue and expenses, and these amounts should balance or come close to it.

Funding

CauseVox

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Spur Local’s Donation Counter Spur Local used a donation counter to add a sense of urgency and community as everyone rallied together to hit the goal. As you can see in the Feed Montana example above, they exceeded their goal of $85,000, filling up the green progress meter to 100%!

Fundraising

Candid

JUNE 18, 2025

Some foundations are going a step further and increasing their support of existing grantees to help make up for shortfalls in funding from other sources—increasing the size of grants to individual grantees, increasing their budgets, and/or giving above the 5% minimum distribution requirement.

Funding

Planned Giving

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

This quick guide outlines approximate numbers for budgeting planned giving efforts across organizations of various sizes, offering actionable benchmarks to help secure financial sustainability. Targeting higher education primarily, the strategies here also apply to nonprofits with operating budgets between $1 million and $60 million.

Budget

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Introduction to Grant Budgets Understanding the financial aspects of grant applications, particularly budgeting, is essential for both small businesses and non-profits. A well-structured budget can significantly impact the chances of securing funding.

Budget

Think and Ink Grants

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Clearly articulating your project goals helps funders understand the impact their support will have, which significantly increases your chances of receiving their investment. When developing your project plan, use the SMART criteria: ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. ® Get.Grants.Better.®

Grant Writing

GrantNews

JUNE 16, 2025

But what if you don’t have the budget to bring in a professional? Before diving into applications, you need to understand what foundation funders typically expect: A clear mission and measurable goals A specific funding need (programs, capacity building, capital, etc.)

Grant

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 12, 2024

If, like my client, youre asking if its time to change your fundraising CRM , the starting point is understanding your current situation (your team, your data, and your needs) as well as your goals for the future. Save budget talks for the evaluation phase. Stay within budget : What are the true costs of changing CRMs?

CRM

Blackbaud

APRIL 7, 2025

Like your K12 private school budget. A well-crafted budget is essential for aligning financial resources with the strategic goals of your private school, and with the right processes and tools, it doesnt have to be stressful. It sets in motion the goals youve outlined in your strategic plan.

Budget

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 26, 2024

Articulate Goals : Clearly outline the project’s goals and the impact it will have on the community or art form. Provide a Budget : Include a detailed budget that outlines how grant money will be used. Detailed Budget Shows understanding of costs and financial planning. Below is a sample budget template.

Grant

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

An exception would be digital paid ad campaigns, where expenses run high based on the organization’s ad budget. Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer platforms: Enable nonprofits to share their mission, set goals, and encourage donations through community-driven campaigns on third-party sites or supporters’ social media.

Fundraising

Blackbaud

MARCH 3, 2025

Your ultimate goal is to channel as many resources as possible toward your mission. But how do you justify spending money on a budgeting tool instead of supplies for an after-school program? Would this investment speed up budgeting, provide more accurate data, or mitigate risk? Be sure to clearly lay that out.

Finance

Grant Writer Team

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

They focus on helping nonprofits maximize their limited resources, bringing specialized knowledge in grant writing, budgeting, and project presentation. The program goals include the resolution of community issues and assistance to underserved residents to gain increased access and equity.

Grant Writing

Grant Professionals Association

MAY 1, 2025

Project Overview: Follow introductions with a high-level project overview of the goals and objectives. Finance: Review the project budget and possibly compare with your organizations financial reports of actual versus budgeted expenses, offering time for team member education.

GPC

CauseVox

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

You can make it easy for them to choose what fits best for their goals and budget by offering several donation options like one-time, recurring, and pledge support. Pledge Pledge donations offer supporters a way to make a bigger impact over time, and CauseVox makes it easy for them to commit to a pledge that fits their goals.

Donation

Candid

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Nonprofits should consider in-kind or pro bono asks as part of every initiative and assess whether there is a need that a corporate partner could provide that would be budget relieving. Moreover, 84% set departmental goals related to community engagement, and 68% include community engagement in performance reviews.

Nonprofit

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Importance of Grant Funding Grant funding plays a significant role in enabling individuals and organizations to achieve their goals without incurring debt. Two essential components of a compelling proposal are writing clear and concise objectives and effective budget planning and justification.

Grant Writing

Blackbaud

MARCH 20, 2025

While you may already have an annual budget and are reporting against it, the question remains: are you planning for cash? Good cash flow planning helps you spot potential trouble before it has a chance to derail your strategic goals. Begin by taking your monthly budget and assuming you pay everything on the first of the month.

Management

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Initial Research and Prospecting (5-15 Hours) Identifying suitable grants that align with your goals. Planning and Strategy (5-10 Hours) Defining project objectives, budgets, and deliverables. Budget Justification: 3-5 hours. Analyzing grant requirements and eligibility criteria. Outlining the proposal structure.

Grant Writing

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Even if it feels overwhelming at first, break it down into essential steps: Setting goals Identifying potential donors Defining your message Starting with a well-conceived plan helps you clarify goals, outline specific actions, and define your budget to achieve your goals.

Funding

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 9, 2025

You poured hours (maybe days) into aligning with the funders goals, crafting the perfect narrative, collecting data, and double-checking every attachment. Budget constraints, shifting priorities, or behind-the-scenes politics often drive the final call. Or that your budget needed more justification. Send a polite email.

Proposal

DoJiggy

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Best Free Giving Platforms for Churches Finding a cost-effective solution is crucial for churches mindful of their budgets (and who isn’t?). Pros : Donorbox’s low transaction fees and customizable options make it a great option for churches on a budget. One of the best free options is DoJiggy.

Donation

Grant Writing Made Easy

JUNE 25, 2025

Funders review hundreds of applications, and issues such as unclear objectives, vague budgets, or an ineffective statement of need can easily push your proposal to the bottom of the pile. Show alignment with funder goals, presenting a tailored proposal. The good news? Most of these common grant proposal errors are fixable.

Proposal

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 26, 2024

Tailored Requirements Many local grant programs have specific criteria that align with regional priorities, making it easier for organizations to find funding that aligns with their goals. Engaging with local grant funds is an effective step towards achieving mission-driven goals and fostering community improvement. Avoid jargon.

Grant

Candid

JUNE 5, 2025

Building a nonprofit budget can be intimidating, not only for new projects or organizations but for all nonprofits when the fundraising outlook is uncertain. Yet, a challenging environment makes developing a strong, credible budget even more important. Here’s how to get started: The basics of building a nonprofit budget.

Budget

Blackbaud

JUNE 12, 2025

Engage program managers and finance teams to ensure the project is feasible and aligns with organizational goals. They also show funders that you understand their goals and how your project aligns with them. Important activities: Gather necessary documents, develop narratives, build budgets, and secure internal approvals.

Grant

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

Corporate Grants Corporate grants are financial contributions provided by businesses to support various initiatives that align with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. This includes evaluating the merit of the proposal, budget, and overall alignment with the funding source’s objectives.

Grant Writing

GrantNews

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Life skills training covers decision-making, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and goal-setting. Financial counseling offers budgeting advice, debt management assistance, and financial planning tips. Life Skills Training for Teens Objective : Prepare teens for adulthood by teaching them essential life skills.

Grant

Big Fundraising Ideas

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

What Types of Fundraisers are Most Popular Among Schools Blog Summary: This blog explores popular fundraising options, including catalog fundraisers, online storefronts, direct sales campaigns, and seasonal themes, each offering unique advantages for engaging supporters and meeting financial goals.

Fundraising

Blackbaud

MARCH 10, 2025

If theyre entrusting their money to your organization, they need to have faith that youll use it to advance your stated goals. Goals : Sharing your goals is a key way to inform stakeholders about ways you intend to act on your mission and what outcomes you expect to have. And they’re savvy investors. That builds trust.

Finance

Blackbaud

JANUARY 14, 2025

While you may be aware on a general level that your CRM platform is becoming a headwind to your organization achieving its fundraising goals, the prospect of migrating vast amounts of data, retraining staff, and committing the money and resources required for a successful upgrade can make it tempting to say, Lets make do for another year.

CRM

GrantNews

JANUARY 9, 2025

How to Get Approval on Your Grant Application Common Reasons a Grant Is Rejected Since your goal is to get approval on your grant application, let’s look at the most common reasons a grant is rejected, along with the solutions. Unfeasible Budget: The higher the funding amount, the more stringent the rules.

Application

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

The objective is to facilitate projects that align with the funder’s goals and priorities. Usually require a detailed proposal outlining the research goals. Familiarity with the grant process, as outlined in resources like grant writing examples and budgeting for grants , can also enhance the overall application quality.

Grant Writing