The Grantsmanship Center

APRIL 9, 2025

Category: Proposal Writing and Grantseeking When writing a grant proposal, assume the reader doesnt know much about your community or the challenges and problems your organization is addressing. Context is information that gives the reader a frame of reference for concepts in the rest of the proposal. Context provides insight into the particular makeup and/or challenges of your community; and sometimes helps create a visual image for the reader.

Proposal Writing

Grant Professionals Association

APRIL 21, 2025

In grant writing, we understand the importance of the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. However, in todays funding landscape, the most important W - Who - is often overlooked. As grant professionals, we have a responsibility to keep Who at the center of every proposal we write because they are the very reason grants even exist. Consider the difference between two grant-funded projects: One secures a major grant but lacks community input, resulting in services that go unused or fail to addre

Grant Writing

The Fundraiser Coach

APRIL 13, 2025

Welcome back to the B.R.I.D.G.E. series! If you missed the last posts, we began with Build Connection and Establish Rapport. Today, we step into the part many fundraisers both anticipate and avoid: Invitation to Action or the Ask. It’s time to Invite to Action Inviting isn’t demanding. It’s not persuading or convincing. It’s just that: an invitation.

Education

Candid

APRIL 23, 2025

Nonprofit organizations are facing unprecedented challenges under a new administration. In response to the constant pressure, many in the sector have made the case for funders to increase foundation payout rates, streamline processes, foster solidarity across movements, champion nontraditional models of collaboration, and so much more. Each of these solutions requires multiple strategies.

Nonprofit

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This prompt guide for ChatGPT contains 20+ tested ChatGPT prompts, along with tips on how to use this tool the best way. Nonprofits can engage with ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, refine project plans, and craft compelling narratives for grant proposals.

ChatGPT

Blackbaud

APRIL 24, 2025

We all make mistakes. Its a normal part of life, work, and fundraising. While some mistakes are unavoidable, there are a few common fundraising pitfalls that we see organizations regularly make. If you can avoid these or adjust the following issues in your current fundraising programs, it will set your programs and your organization up for success. Explore these nine common fundraising mistakes to transform your tactics from well-meaning to wildly successful.

Fundraising

Clairification

APRIL 21, 2025

Shifting politics are creating economic uncertainty for all, and its especially scary for U.S. nonprofits who, on average, receive about a third of their total funding from Federal grants. This means nonprofits today need toshift emphasis (and budget) toward individual donor engagement strategies. Giving USA reports 75% of all giving (lifetime + bequests) came from individuals last year.

Federal Grants

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 21, 2025

Our world is chock full of information. When I was growing up, we just had a few TV channels to choose from. Now there are countless streaming options. We also have email, the internet, and social media, just to name a few. Its not only the volume of options, its also the content. And in our current climate of crisis and uncertainty, its information overload on steroids.

Electronics

OneCause

APRIL 28, 2025

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a powerful approach for nonprofits. It gets your constituents more involved with supporting your organization. It helps you reach new supporters through your constituents networks. It also helps you build a stronger sense of community and raise more funds. And peer-to-peer fundraising programs are doing well these days. According to the 2024 Top 30 and P2P Benchmarking Survey , 18 of the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs in the U.S. increased revenue in 2024, a

Fundraising

Candid

APRIL 24, 2025

Accessing and exchanging data is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. With an unprecedented level of online connection and the rapid advancement of generative AI, these days hackers can bypass security with assistance from an AI chatbot. In this fast-changing landscape, Candid is committed to safeguarding the data of individuals and organizations that rely on our services and use our systemsand trust us with their information.

AI

Blackbaud

APRIL 18, 2025

As a nonprofit digital strategist and technology coach, I think I have the best job in the world. I get to partner with nonprofit teams that are full of dedicated, smart, and hard-working people. Ive noticed, though, when it comes to effectively growing their communication and giving programs, many of these seasoned development pros are feeling a little stuck.

Fundraising

CauseVox

APRIL 28, 2025

You know the feelingyouve sent the thank-you notes, optimized your donation page, and run a successful campaign or two. But as the dust settles, a nagging question pops up: How do we keep this momentum going? More specifically, how do we find new donors who care about our cause just as much as our current supporters do? Whether you’re prepping for your next campaign or just trying to shake that donor fatigue feeling, finding new donors doesnt have to be a shot in the dark.

Nonprofit

Grant Professionals Association

APRIL 2, 2025

If you havent already, now is the time to evaluate your organizations grant readiness from pre- to post-award, ensuring alignment with funders, competitive proposals, and strong fund stewardship. Start by Asking the Right Questions: What is the current pre-award process? Understanding how your organization makes grant submission decisions is critical.

Grant

Community Boost

APRIL 17, 2025

Having a clear mission is great but it’s people who make the impact happen. Community engagement is how a nonprofit can grow, rally support, and create lasting change. And its not just about fundraising, its about building real relationships and inspiring people to take action. When nonprofits do engagement right, they build trust and garner support well beyond a single donation.

Nonprofit

DonorSnap

APRIL 8, 2025

Thanking your donors shouldnt stop after a single gift acknowledgment. Building lasting relationships with your supporters means finding ways to show appreciation throughout the year. Since giving season is still a ways off, now is a great time to plan how youll thank your donors in the months ahead. One helpful guideline is the Rule of 7 , which suggests that donors should hear from you at least seven times throughout the year.

Calendar

Planned Giving

APRIL 1, 2025

Too many nonprofits are missing opportunities to remind donors of their legacy giving options in their annual fund communications. And thats a shame. Because there are plenty of articles and resources focused on demystifying legacy giving. But these often involve intricate plans for special campaigns that educate and familiarize supporters about what legacy giving really is.

Funding

Blackbaud

APRIL 25, 2025

Launching a successful fundraising campaign for nonprofits involves a strategic approach and precise execution. It’s not just about enthusiasm. It’s about deploying advanced strategies to amplify your impact. Experienced fundraisers know that effective campaigns require setting clear objectives and understanding your audience deeply. By focusing on refined messaging, streamlined management processes, and enhanced donor engagement, you can elevate your fundraising efforts to new heigh

Fundraising

Clairification

APRIL 28, 2025

Use of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) as a way for individuals to make charitable contributions continues to rise and grants from DAFs are becoming a growing source of income for charities of all shapes and sizes. An ever-broader group of donors are embracing them to approach philanthropy in the thoughtful, strategic way once reserved only for mega-donors who could afford to set up private foundations.

Funding

DoJiggy

APRIL 29, 2025

Organizing a roller skating fundraiser is a fun and exciting way to raise money. Whether you’re raising funds for your school, charity, or community organization, a roller skating fundraiser is guaranteed to draw a crowd and leave a lasting impact. So lace up your skates and get ready to roll! In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to organize a successful roller skating fundraiser.

Fundraising

GrantNews

APRIL 24, 2025

Protecting children from abuse is not just a moral responsibility; it’s a societal necessity. Investing in prevention, education, and support services empowers children, caregivers, and professionals to recognize warning signs and take action. Because of this, GrantWatch lists child protection grants that help nonprofits combat child abuse. When we prioritize child protection, we break cycles of trauma, reduce the risk of long-term mental health issues, and promote healthier families and c

Funding

Get Fully Funded

APRIL 24, 2025

Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, have been in the news for a while now. These charitable giving accounts, which are established by individual donors but managed by sponsoring organizations, have historically been a source of excitement for nonprofits. DAFs incentivize wealthy donors to give more without creating their own foundations, providing new opportunities for nonprofits to receive large donations.

Funding

HSF House

APRIL 16, 2025

Hello everyone! My name is Audrey Lendvay, and I am a second year studio art student at Florida State University, and I now have the exciting honor to introduce you all to my upcoming IDEA Grant research for summer 2024. Audrey Lendvay, Studio Art major My project takes a particular interest in the ways in which we participate in physical and virtual spaces, and with how virtual worlds might be capable of connecting participants to their own lives and enriching their own sense of place and mindf

Pass-Through

Blackbaud

APRIL 23, 2025

After a lot of research, conversations with community members, and writingand re-writingquestions, your application for funding is live. And you are getting submissions. Great submissions. Now comes the most rewardingand hardestpart of your grant cycle. Reviewing the applications and selecting the organizations to fund. Choosing how your organization reviews grantseligibility, internal, external, or peer reviewsis not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Grant

Clairification

APRIL 10, 2025

Survival Depends on Collective Commitment and Deep Support Too often, fundraising is relegated to an administrative function rather than a mission-central function. Its viewed as a necessary evil. As a result, either no one embraces it as central to their job description, or someone is hired and shunted off to a corner to do the dirty work. Others dont necessarily feel a need to cooperate or support the fundraising effort.

IT

The Grantsmanship Center

APRIL 16, 2025

Category: Proposal Writing and Grantseeking In an earlier blog, I discussed how to strengthen your proposal by adding context to the Problem Discussion with descriptive detail. Part Two is about giving the reader a sense of place to add meaning to the proposal. The reader of your proposal may not live in the samearea of the state as you, or even in the same part of the country.

Demographics

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 14, 2025

In an ideal world, a newsletter can be a great way to engage with your donors. In the real world, that doesnt often happen because most donor newsletters can be used as a cure for insomnia. Theyre too long and filled with boring articles that brag about how wonderful the organization is. A newsletter is a vital part of the ask, thank report, repeat formula and you cant just go on autopilot.

Nonprofit

The Fundraiser Coach

APRIL 2, 2025

This is post # 2 of my B.R.I.D.G.E. framework series — a practical, connection-based framework to help fundraisers deepen donor relationships and secure more major and transformational gifts. If you missed the first post on how to Build Connection , you can read it here. Today we’re moving to the second step: Establish Rapport —the one that too many fundraisers rush through, or skip entirely.

Fundraising

GrantNews

APRIL 25, 2025

Building Forever Homes with Grant Funding isn’t just a dream, it’s a growing reality for families, veterans, and individuals ready to plant roots. With the help of nonprofit housing grants, the path to homeownership becomes less stressful and more achievable. These grants provide financial support to the folks who need it most. Whether you’re buying your first home, renovating a property, or searching for affordable housing options, grants can help it all come to pass.

Funding

Blackbaud

APRIL 1, 2025

Its been a wild few years for the philanthropy sector. Just as we finally got our footing from a global pandemic and spinning up programs to support communities dealing with extreme weather events, now federal policy shifts have grantmakers and grantees alike scrambling. But organizations have also learned a lot from that instability, and grantmakers can draw from those lessons to respond to the current context.

Funding

Candid

APRIL 1, 2025

The field of disaster philanthropy is facing a perfect storm of global crisesconflicts, climate disasters, economic instability, and growing humanitarian needsas disaster relief and humanitarian aid organizations face a changing funding landscape. Abrupt halts in foreign aid and heightened scrutiny of federal funding have created widespread uncertainty.

Policies

Grant Writer Team

APRIL 17, 2025

Your Next Grant Starts with the Right Preparation Crafting a winning grant proposal takes effort, planning, and the right support. It is usually not for the faint of heart because it is not typically easy task. That is why GrantWriterTeam is here for you. Our professional grant writers provide the tools and confidence you need to successfully pursue funding opportunities that support your nonprofit mission.

Grant