Grants Plus

#grants #Grantwriting #nonprofitfundraising Great opportunities can arise from change with the right outlook and solutions. Last week Grants Plus CEO, Lauren Steiner and Kindsight VP of Market Insights, Cherian Koshy, hosted a webinar on turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Attendees also got a sneak peek at Kindsight’s new AI-driven grant writing solution. View the webinar recording here: https://lnkd.in/gDt_DKGD

#TuesdayTip - Cultivating meaningful relationships in fundraising is a critical pillar of success. Grants Plus’s CEO and founder, Lauren Steiner, learned early in her career that picking up the phone and calling a potential funder could lead to great success and established the foundational principles she carries with her today. Following are the valuable lessons she has learned: => Start with gratitude. Thank your contact for the foundation’s ongoing support and acknowledge the meaningful difference they have made. => Ask about their vision. Instead of jumping to the money, ask about the foundation’s priorities or passions. => Connect their vision to your work. Explain how their support can help you align with your goals. => Be specific and confident. If appropriate, share a thoughtful, compelling case for why a larger grant could help achieve their shared mission. FINAL THOUGHTS: Funders are people with dreams of making a difference. When you have the rare chance to connect directly with them, focus on what they want to accomplish in the world and how your organization can help them do it. For more information: https://lnkd.in/gD2ysqXs

Grants Plus Engagement Strategist, Michelle Barbeau, recently presented at the ToolBank USA conference. We appreciate our employees and the difference they make in helping nonprofits succeed and achieve their fundraising goals!

#nonprofitfundraising #GrantTips #Governmentfunding Grants Plus Founder and CEO, Lauren Steiner, recently joined other industry leaders to talk through how to navigate federal funding uncertainties. In NPFX: The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange's recent podcast, listeners are given insightful tips on how to create strategies for fundraising success in these challenging times. Episode highlights include: => Conducting impact reports for each grant to assess the risk. => Contingency planning and strategic questions for nonprofits to consider. => Why you need to communicate with funders now and not wait. => An example of scenario planning. => Transparency with staff and providing resources for job transitions. => Building relationships with funders and adapting grant applications. => The need for nonprofits to join forces and collaborate. => The importance of advocacy with state and local legislators. => Engage long-time supporters of strategic planning and advocacy. => Speak up about the impact of funding cuts on your community. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gC7Q9pkA

When the public sector pulls back, who steps up? The MacArthur Foundation just made a bold decision: increasing its giving over the next two years in response to the federal freeze on foreign aid and grants. They’re raising their payout from 5% to at least 6%, putting an estimated $150 million more into the hands of nonprofits at a time when many are facing a funding cliff. This is exactly the kind of responsive and values-driven leadership that philanthropy must embrace. MacArthur isn’t waiting to see how things play out—they recognize the urgency of this moment and are acting decisively. Now, will others follow? As someone who works closely with nonprofits, I see firsthand the deep reliance on government funding—$303 billion in federal grants flowed to nonprofits in 2023 alone. The sudden disruption of these funds leaves critical programs vulnerable, from social services to climate initiatives. Major private foundations have the resources—and, I’d argue, the responsibility—to step in and buffer this shock. Community foundations, regional funders, and local philanthropic leaders should take note. The cascading effects of these funding cuts won’t just be felt at the national level; they will ripple down into our communities, affecting the people and organizations on the ground. Philanthropy has shown before that it can mobilize in crisis—during COVID, after natural disasters, and in moments of social upheaval. This is another such moment. Kudos to MacArthur Foundation for setting an example. Let’s hope this decision doesn’t stand alone.

Thought for today: Using equitable language in your grant proposals never goes out of style. Check out our resources here. Many thanks to Dana Textoris for her past insights and thought leadership on this topic! https://lnkd.in/eGr4R3PJ https://lnkd.in/eT7aw3HY #grantwriting #grants #Nonprofitfundraising #fundraising

Every challenge is an opportunity. That’s what I was reminded of this week in an enlightening conversation with Viken Mikaelian, CEO, and it couldn’t be more relevant for nonprofits navigating today’s funding landscape. As grant makers become more selective, and federal shifts create uncertainty, the organizations that will thrive are the ones that plan ahead—not the ones relying on the next grant cycle to stay afloat. Viken’s latest blog post, Stop Begging, Start Planning: Why Foundations Are Done Funding Lazy Nonprofits, is a must-read for nonprofit leaders who want to stop chasing dollars and start building sustainability. Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/ebkiAykQ I especially love the guidance on getting a strong grant writer NOW—because in this competitive climate, nonprofits that invest in smart strategy and long-term resilience will come out ahead. What are your thoughts? How is your organization adapting to these changes? #Nonprofits #GrantWriting #Fundraising #PlannedGiving #Leadership

#TuesdayTip 💡To navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively, strategic steps must be taken: 1. Assess and Align: Begin by assessing your organization’s current technological capabilities and align them with your mission’s needs. 2. Educate and Train: Investment in technology also means investing in your team’s ability to use it. Continuous education and training are vital for maximizing technological benefits. 3. Partner for Progress: Collaborate with tech experts and leverage their knowledge to find the best solutions for your organization. 4. Measure and Showcase: Implement measures to track the efficiency and outreach improvements yielded by technological adoption. Learn more ➡️https://hubs.ly/Q033WcgC0 #grantseeking #digitaltransformation #grantwriting #technologicalempowerment

Reminder: Don't miss this excellent opportunity to hear from Lauren Steiner from Grants Plus, and @Cherian Koshy from Kindsight, on February 26th at 12 PM ET for an informative webinar on turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. Plus, get a sneak peek of Kindsight’s new AI-driven grant writing solution! You’ll learn: => How the latest federal funding challenges will impact nonprofits => Innovative ways to build financial resilience => How to leverage AI-driven grant writing to streamline applications and secure more funding Register Here: https://lnkd.in/djSPkE88

Join Grants Plus Founder and CEO, Lauren Steiner, on Thursday, February 20th at 4:30 PM ET as she presents on the changing landscape of government grants at the Grant Professionals Association - North Texas Chapter. She will be covering the current state of federal funding and provide tips on navigating these changes. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g7kU5qfi #grants #GrantTips #Grantwriting #FundingSuccess #FederalGrants #GovernmentFunding