Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 9, 2025

Use metrics to back this up. Like venture capital, success comes from volume and persistencenot perfection. Show average nonprofit success rates. Illustrate how many applications typically yield one win. Remind them: this is a long game with exponential return over time.

Grant

CauseVox

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

Progress bar with CauseVox automated matching And it’s not just about the money—CauseVox also displays impact metrics, so donors can see the tangible results of their gifts, like meals served, trees planted, or hours of service funded. Plus, when there is a match in place, these metrics automatically double!

IT

The Fundraiser Coach

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

One of the biggest challenges we face as major gift fundraisers is balancing two distinct ways of thinking: our internal, metrics-driven mindset versus the donor-focused approach that builds relationships. In the office, we're measured by revenue, the number of donors engaged, meetings booked, and Asks made (and successfully closed!).

Fundraising

Lightning Fast Grant Writing

MAY 12, 2025

Many prefer to fund shiny, specific programs with catchy titles and easy metrics. Skilled grant writers include metrics that show organizational efficiency, lean operations, and smart strategy. Because core operating supportthe golden goose of grant fundingis maddeningly hard to secure. Its not that funders dont know you need it.

Grant Writing

Greater Giving

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

What metrics will you track? How to Build a Year-End Giving Campaign (That Includes GivingTuesday) 1. Start With a Clear Goal What do you want to accomplish before the year ends? How much money do you need to raise? Are you focusing on new donors, recurring gifts, or funding a specific project? What milestones will show you’re on track?

Goals

Blackbaud

APRIL 24, 2025

Mistake #6: Neglecting Data and Metrics Fail: Decisions are based on anecdotes rather than data-backed evidence. Track key metrics: Review donation retention rates, average gift size, cost per dollar raised, and lifetime donor value. Are they capturing the metrics that matter most for your organization?

Fundraising

Grant Professionals Association

MARCH 6, 2025

If you have other metrics you have used, please share! What was the rate of growth in individual grant sizes? What was last years conversion rate? What was the rate of grant-flipping, moving from declined to awarded? What was the rate of brand-new funder growth?

Grant

Candid

OCTOBER 16, 2024

They pick a goal, define strategies, and stay focused on the small handful of metrics that measure the execution of the strategy. Successful nonprofits try to solve one specific difficult problem.

Fundraising

Blackbaud

MARCH 18, 2025

Making this shift includes moving beyond traditional metrics of success that prioritize short-term results over long-term sustainability and embracing approaches that are relational, equitable, and human-centered. And many funders are stepping up to address the well-being of those doing mission-driven work.

Burnout

Just Write Grants

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Analyze Campaign Performance After the campaign, review the performance to assess what worked and what didn’t: Track Metrics : Analyze key metrics such as total funds raised, donor engagement, and campaign reach. Recognition : Acknowledge top donors publicly (with their consent) to build goodwill and encourage others to contribute.

Fundraising

Grant Writer Team

JANUARY 2, 2025

Articulate clear interim and summative metrics to demonstrate the impact of your project. Establishing strong connections with community leaders and officials can also enhance your chances of success. Measurable Your Results! Show funders how their investment will make a tangible difference in the community.

Proposal

CauseVox

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Study Social Media Analytics Monitor Analytics Diligently This means tracking your website and social media metrics like page views, click-through rates, and the time spent on various sections of your website and social media platforms. These metrics can unveil which stories or content pieces resonate most with your audience.

Media

Just Write Grants

JANUARY 2, 2025

DEI Metrics and Reporting Nonprofits will be required to report on DEI metrics , including: Workforce Diversity : Providing data on the diversity of staff and leadership. Program Impact : Demonstrating how programs address and advance equity and inclusion within communities served. Focus on Long-Term Sustainability 5.1

Grant Writing

Tony Martignetti

DECEMBER 8, 2024

There are relationships and data; stories and metrics; motivations and outcomes; emotions and systems; and, more brain interactions. There are relationships and data; stories and metrics; motivations and outcomes; emotions and systems; and, more brain interactions. Your objective is to balance the art and the science.

Metrics

Grant Professionals Association

APRIL 21, 2025

Go beyond surface-level metrics by illustrating how your project will directly improve lives to reinforce both the necessity and the impact of the funding. Sharing positive stories can inspire confidence in your organizations ability to implement grant projects and create meaningful change.

Grant Writing

Candid

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

By aligning on shared goals and performance metrics—such as skills building, well-being, community and program outcomes—nonprofits can strengthen the business case for corporate involvement while advancing community causes.

Nonprofit

Blackbaud

JUNE 6, 2025

This finding is particularly puzzling because the majority of those surveyed expressed confidence in their abilities, in the effectiveness of their fundraising materials, and in the fairness of their performance metrics. This shift in perspective can transform how we engage with prospects.

Fundraising

Candid

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

These difficulties stem from factors such as grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.

AI

Ann Green's Nonprofit

JUNE 30, 2025

Look at metrics such as website visits and email open rates. Remember the ask, thank, report, repeat formula , with a focus on thanking and reporting. Make improvements to your donor communication Many nonprofits can do a better job of communicating with their donors. Are you one of them?

Goals

Blackbaud

DECEMBER 30, 2024

To better understand the shortcomings of for-profit metrics as a true measure of nonprofit success, lets look at how return on investment (ROI) is calculated. You will have the elements to translate between and marry the business metrics that ROI measured and your mission impact criteria.

Metrics

Pamela Grow

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Testing and optimization: By defining clear objectives and success metrics, a direct response fundraising agency ensures data-driven decisions. Printing and mailing: An agency will handle printing and mailing outreach to donors. Theyll also know how to use VDP to personalize direct mail based on donor data.

Fundraising

The Fundraiser Coach

MARCH 30, 2025

In unsettled times, it’s tempting to focus on metrics: number of meetings, dollars raised, goals hit. This change was the difference between a simple thank you and offering an opportunity to talk about their connection – about creating a relationship. What Gets in the Way of Connection? It happens in conversation.

Metrics

Just Write Grants

JANUARY 9, 2025

Set Up Metrics for Success Funders want to know that their money will make an impact. Clearly outline the metrics you will use to evaluate the success of your project. When writing your grant, include quotes or testimonials from key stakeholders to demonstrate unified commitment. These should tie directly to your strategic goals.

Proposal

Planned Giving

JANUARY 25, 2025

Capture data points like donation history, event attendance, and engagement metrics (e.g., Key Insight Tweet Tracking and Evaluating Your Moves Management Process Key Metrics to Monitor Conversion rates between stages (e.g., Start by cleaning up donor records: Remove duplicates. Verify contact details. email opens). Average gift size.

Management

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Even if they have not yet made an additional gift or volunteered, keep promoting ways for them to be involved with your cause: Ask them to subscribe to your newsletter Share news articles and research reports on the topics they care about Remind them about matching gifts from their employer Send a one-pager showing tangible outcomes and impact metrics (..)

CRM

Center for Major Gifts

JANUARY 25, 2025

Remove duplicates, verify contact details, and capture crucial data points like donation history, event attendance, and engagement metrics (e.g., Use built-in dashboards and reports to track key metrics, such as conversion rates from identification to cultivation, average gift size, and donor retention rates. email opens).

Management

Ann Green's Nonprofit

APRIL 21, 2025

Measuring your email metrics will help you communicate more effectively. Some people will choose not to receive email from you and thats okay. The ones who do are interested in hearing from you. Give people the option to unsubscribe, too. When you send email, its important to strike a balance between being known and being annoying.

Electronics

Blackbaud

JULY 11, 2025

This metric , which measures how much a nonprofit spends on administration (such as rent, salaries, software licensing, etc.) Beyond Financials: Defining Impact The IRS 990 is the only standardized metric for nonprofit reporting, but it does not capture an organization’s full scope and impact.

Metrics

Ann Green's Nonprofit

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Highlight metrics, success stories, and detailed breakdowns of how donations were used to further your mission. This social proof can influence potential donors to trust and contribute. Publish an annual impact report. An annual impact report is a powerful tool for showcasing your achievements and financial transparency.

Donation

Just Write Grants

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

Calculate anticipated expenses and projected outcomes to create a “cost per outcome” metric (e.g., Highlight these metrics in your proposal to build funder confidence in your financial stewardship. cost per individual served).

Proposal

Just Write Grants

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Performance Metrics : Funders often require detailed reports on the program’s progress and impact. Special Projects : Grants for time-limited projects, such as a new educational initiative or a public awareness campaign. Characteristics Goal-Oriented : Program grants are focused on achieving specific outcomes related to the funded program.

Grant

Allied Grant Writers

MARCH 17, 2025

Evaluation Plan: Outline the metrics and methods that will be used to assess the projects success. Where possible, support your proposal with historical data and success metrics from previous projects. The grant proposal included a detailed analysis of current digital engagement metrics and projected improvements.

Funding

HSF House

JUNE 4, 2025

One of the key materials for our study is the OURA ring, a popular health-tracking device that generates an extensive database of information on an individuals physiological metrics. These hormone metrics will provide critical data to track changes throughout our exercise intervention.

Metrics

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 25, 2024

To be successful in securing grant funding, individuals must grasp the basic components involved in the grant application process, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and evaluation metrics. A solid impact assessment includes the methods for evaluation and metrics to track progress.

Grant Writing

Blackbaud

MAY 23, 2025

From there, analyze key metrics, such as abandonment rates and average donation size, to identify areas for improvement. To do so, try conducting A/B testing on different elements, such as button colors, form layouts, suggested donation amounts, or call-to-action text, to see what resonates most with donors.

Donation

Pamela Grow

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

By tracking key metrics, you can measure the duration and quality of your donor relationships and identify areas for improvement. Track these metrics using your nonprofit constituent relationship management system (CRM) and fundraising software.

Metrics

Center for Major Gifts

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

While emotion is a powerful tool, data-driven success metrics add credibility and transparency to the ask. Providing them with talking points, success stories, and impact metrics can help them feel confident when engaging potential donors. Donors appreciate knowing that their investment is backed by measurable results.

Fundraising