The Fundraiser Coach

APRIL 13, 2025

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. You’re offering the donor an opportunity to act on something they care about.

Education 130

Education Proposal Budget Fundraising 130

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 9, 2025

Its about presenting familiar challenges in fresh, insightful, and emotionally resonant ways. Innovation in grant writing isnt about gimmicks. Experienced pros have a few creative tricks up their sleeves to surprise, delight, and persuadeeven when dealing with compliance-heavy requirements. Heres how they do it: 1.

Proposal 100

Proposal Logic Model Funding Grant Writing 100

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

Click the image below to be taken to Vimeo to view the presentation. Our day-to-day overwhelm here in the US is intense. And its designed to make us all feel uncertain. Passive even. Your overwhelm is the goal. If we give in, we find ourselves suffocating in distractions. And now you. Sure, its easy to experience one-off successes.

Fundraising 130

Fundraising Demographics Consulting Consulting 130

GrantNews

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Community Arts Events : Grants to nonprofits, government agencies, and tribes in multiple states to support collaborative presentations of community arts events. It’s safe to say that strong communities are the heart of our country. However, they need grant funding to accomplish their goals.

Grant 112

Grant Grants Government Contract 112

Blackbaud

MARCH 3, 2025

Build a Compelling Business Case While most nonprofit finance leaders understand the importance of technology, presenting a compelling case to executive leadership or the board can be more challenging. Provide a Timeline: Present a clear timeline for implementation and rollout.

Finance 88

Finance Strategic Plan Proposal Nonprofit 88

GrantNews

JANUARY 6, 2025

The power of business grants presents real opportunities for women entrepreneurs. With over 13 million female-led businesses in the U.S., accounting for about 42% of all businesses nationwide, that’s no small feat! For women entrepreneurs, securing start-up capital can be a real challenge.

Grant 117

Grant Grants Engineering Grant Calendar 117

Grant Professionals Association

MAY 1, 2025

Funders rely on grant professionals to present accurate, compelling narratives supported by credible data. Defining Misrepresentation of Data Misrepresentation of data involves altering, omitting, or fabricating information to present a more favorable picture of an organizations needs, capabilities, or project outcomes.

Ethics 59

Ethics Grant Writing Grant Grants 59

GrantNews

MARCH 3, 2025

In conclusion, March presents an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to access valuable funding through various grants. GrantWatch is the gateway for small business grants for entrepreneurs ! As spring blossoms, it’s easy to feel like slowing down and enjoying the season, but now is actually a great time to focus on your business.

Grant 130

Grant Grants Grant Readiness Funding 130

Clairification

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Susan sent me this: finagle ( third-person singular simple present finagles , present participle finagling , simple past and past participle finagled ). Many of you kindly supported my initial use of the word “finagle.” Apparently, there is more than one definition. finagle a day off work. No adverse implications.

Indirect 201

Indirect SAM Nonprofit Goals 201

Candid

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

The reality of starting any business—and a nonprofit is definitely a business—is that some difficulties are always going to be present. In my role as an educational programming manager at Candid, I hear this question nearly every day: “Is it a good time to start a nonprofit?” I can’t tell you for certain whether you should or not.

IT 105

IT Nonprofit Mentor Funding 105

CauseVox

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Key takeaways: Understand how to present your Ask in a way that sparks a donor’s heart and motivates them to give using a Core Number Learn how to calculate your Core Number (so it covers both direct and indirect expenses!) In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use a Core Number to let donors know how their donation will make a difference.

Donation 94

Donation Indirect IT Nonprofit 94

Grant Professionals Association

MARCH 6, 2025

Each win is an extra reason to celebrate as present funders tend to become repeat funders if you steward them right. Early in my fundraising career, my then boss gave me a great piece of advice to celebrate wins. In the grant world, its easy to just look at the bottom line, asking yourself How much money did we raise from grants this year?

Grant 98

Grant Grants Award Metrics 98

GrantNews

DECEMBER 12, 2024

While educators and administrators work to create inclusive and supportive environments for each student, funding still presents a large challenge. Education is a cornerstone of the American dream, and that includes ensuring access for students with special abilities and learning disabilities.

Education 96

Education Grant Grants Funding 96

Just Write Grants

JUNE 13, 2025

You have to track it, analyze it, prove it, and present it. You can’t just say your nonprofit makes an impact. Measurable outcomes and evidence-based data are essential for successful grant writing. Funders want more than good intentions—they want proof your program works. Your grant writer is only as strong as the data you provide.

Grant Writing 52

Grant Writing Grant Grants Readiness 52

Gail Perry Group

JANUARY 16, 2025

Takeaway: Build trust and confidence by being present, understanding, and transparent with your donors. Fewer Donors, Bigger Gifts The number of donors is steadily declining, but major gifts are becoming a larger share of total giving. This makes relationship-building with high-capacity donors absolutely essential. Research is key here.

AI 107

AI Fundraising Ethics Government 107

Just Write Grants

JANUARY 2, 2025

Advanced analytics tools will help organizations present compelling evidence of their impact. Data Visualization : The use of data visualization tools will help nonprofits present complex information in a more accessible and persuasive manner. Emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 2.1

Grant Writing 98

Grant Writing Grant Grants Proposal Writing 98

Candid

JANUARY 7, 2025

Asking donors to rethink the funder-grantee relationship Nonprofits are used to keeping donors at arms length, presenting their successesthe beautiful mosaicwhile concealing the individual tiles that make that successful impact possible. But deep engagement requires a shift in the traditional funder-grantee dynamic. Set clear expectations.

Funding 96

Funding Proposal Goals Nonprofit 96

Pamela Grow

APRIL 6, 2021

It presents a strong case for monthly giving support. When JodiJoy O’Keefe decided to introduce a monthly giving program at her organization, Bethany Health Care , she did it by way of an invitation. Here’s what I love about this monthly giving ask: Specific ask amounts paint a clear picture of what the donor is funding.

Funding 212

Funding IT Nonprofit Fundraising 212

Grant Professionals Association

MAY 14, 2025

A two-year stint as chapter Program Committee Chair allowed me to attend officer meetings, interact with chapter members and learn from excellent presenters and mentors. Though I had years of experience with my organization and its acronyms, fundraiser-speak was brand new to me. Instead, it was a holiday dinner.

GPC 105

GPC Mentor Grant Readiness Grant Writing 105

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 20, 2024

As we look back on the past year, we would like to present the top 10 articles that captivated our readers’ attention and provided valuable insights and practical advice for our community. Trending topics included artificial intelligence (AI), fundraising strategies, and maintaining strong finances for nonprofits.

AI 98

AI Finance Donation Fundraising 98

GrantNews

JANUARY 21, 2025

Change toward a business model is bound to present staffing and funding obstacles. ” In your grant application, provide a mission statement, and present a sustainable plan to maintain it. Mike McLeod – End-of-life Design What Exactly is a Purpose-Driven Business?

Grant 107

Grant Grants Transportation Manufacturing 107

Grants4Good

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Present your vision for 2025 and beyond, illustrating how their continued support will be pivotal in navigating potential funding shifts. While we cannot predict exactly what will happen, we do know that preparation is critical. In the face of such uncertainty, it is more important now, than ever, to be as strategic and organized as possible.

Funding 98

Funding Grant Writing GPC Nonprofit 98

Clairification

JULY 1, 2024

Susan sent me this: finagle ( third-person singular simple present finagles , present participle finagling , simple past and past participle finagled ) ( transitive ) To obtain, arrange, or achieve by i ndirect, complicated and/or intensive efforts. Many kindly supported my initial use of the word “finagle.” I thank you all.

SAM 157

SAM Indirect Nonprofit Goals 157

GrantNews

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

GrantWatch proudly presents 10 grants for schools and educators! American Education Week, held annually before Thanksgiving, spotlights public education and the vital roles educators, families, and community supporters play in student success. How does the old saying go? It takes a village…? The Last Word There you have it.

Education 117

Education Grant Grants Award 117

GrantNews

DECEMBER 31, 2024

The new year presents the opportunity for a fresh start brimming with possibilities. We are on the cusp of a bright new year, and GrantWatch has the top grants to apply for in 2025! Indeed, it’s a chance for growth, innovation, and positive change.

Grant 111

Grant Grants Government Manufacturing 111

Get Fully Funded

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

Fortunately, when it comes to the structure of a Letter of Inquiry, you dont have to guess at what is required. Sometimes the funder will tell you exactly what they want, and they might even provide a sample. As you do that, consider why the funder uses a Letter of Inquiry. That would simple take too long. So make it count! That, alone, is powerful.

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Letter Of Inquiry LOI Grant Grants 98

Clairification

JANUARY 9, 2023

Annual reports can be created and presented in a variety of ways—both digitally and in print. Of course, a lot can happen in a year (nonprofits know that best), but with an annual report, you can summarize all the year’s milestones including your impact, accomplishments, new developments, and more. What does an annual report include?

Donation 260

Donation Software Fundraising Nonprofit 260

Blackbaud

APRIL 3, 2025

Use Positive Pay: This feature, offered by most banks, matches issued checks with those checks being presented for payment. Ensure that when collecting cash donations, there is always more than one employee present. Implement security awareness training to help employees recognize phishing attempts and attempted fraud. Follow U.S.

Policy 94

Policy Policies Finance Ethics 94

Planned Giving

OCTOBER 30, 2024

In branded content, the subject of the story is presented as an expert on whatever it is their company produces or provides. The story is focused on presenting facts, rather than opinions or sales pitches. Donor stories can inspire more donations and support, as can mission stories and stories about those you serve.

Donation 74

Donation Contract Contracts IT 74

Candid

OCTOBER 16, 2024

The frame we teach the nonprofits we work with is this: “Run toward words that differentiate you from the crowd—words that present you as an organization that is transparent and accountable.” Events, social media, and marketing are only small links in a much bigger chain of interactions with supporters.

Fundraising 98

Fundraising Metrics Nonprofit Federal Grants 98

Candid

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Instead of presenting raw data, conduct some initial analysis and curation first and distill your data into graphs, colorful charts, and quotes related to defined themes, such as challenges and positive outcomes program participants identified. But it isnt easy to create a welcoming space for everyone to understand and engage with data.

Strategic Plan 84

Strategic Plan Education IT Nonprofit 84

Blackbaud

JANUARY 23, 2025

These requirements can present challenges for nonprofits that need more in-house expertise, support, or time to develop and manage campaigns that adhere to these standards. Its potential impact on the nonprofit world is enormous, but its still relatively unknown and underleveraged.

Grant 104

Grant Grants Utilities Nonprofit 104

Blue Avocado

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

As we assess the distribution of wealth in our society, and what a fair system would look like, we need to consider this: A situation where the nonprofit sector in its present form cannot exist without the ultra-wealthy is one where it is in danger of collapse. At what point does despair become inescapable? But we need to prepare now.

Nonprofit 107

Nonprofit Government Insurance Insurance 107

Planned Giving

FEBRUARY 23, 2025

Many nonprofits frequently ask us to create planned giving seminars or presentations for their audienceswhether it be alumni, donors, or members. When positioned as a technical or transactional discussion about giving, these presentations struggle to attract an audience.

Education 52

Education Nonprofit Fundraising IT 52

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 5, 2024

The Skills and People Needed to Launch a Fundraising Program If you’re new to fundraising, don’t worry—many of the skills needed to succeed are likely already present within your organization. For some organizations, a well-timed grant can be the spark that ignites growth. This is a tough yet vital question for nonprofits to ask.

Funding 98

Funding Grant Grants Fundraising 98

Pamela Grow

JULY 10, 2024

Clay Buck, CFRE, joins us to present Focus on What Matters (A data-inspired look at setting fundraising priorities). Donation Sources: Individuals: Donated $374.4 billion, a 1.6% increase from 2022, but a 2.4% decline when adjusted for inflation. Foundations: Contributed $103.53 billion, making up 19% of total giving. Despite a 1.7%

Letter Of Inquiry 279

Letter Of Inquiry Nonprofit Grant Readiness Grant 279

GrantNews

JANUARY 2, 2025

It is becoming easier and easier for anyone to create images, conduct research, write professional emails, create presentations and more. As we reflect on the past year, we naturally wonder about the trends 2025 will bring nonprofits. Providing data builds trust and creates urgency among supporters. However, AI is still relatively new.

AI 122

AI Nonprofit Grant Grants 122