As I write this in the middle of October, Halloween costumes are vying with Christmas decorations for my attention in the big box store. Thanksgiving tchotchkes are a distant third on a few endcaps here and there.  I grew up as a preacher’s and teacher’s child, so for...

Right now, grant writing feels more solitary and isolating than ever before in my 28 years of experience. The uncertainty around federal and other grant funding sources has intensified this stress dramatically—with agencies announcing massively shortened deadlines...

As a recovering Development Director, I have lots of thoughts and feelings about fundraising events. They can be amazing, but there is a huge staff and resource cost involved whether you host an elegant gala, a fun run, an awards breakfast, or anything and everything...

Many Federal agencies are throwing deadlines at us with barely any warning. What used to be about a month of super-focused prep time has telescoped into a few frantic days. It’s ridiculous, ineffective, and feels like it’s being done on purpose at this point. It’s...

If you’ve been reading this newsletter long enough or have listened to our Fundraising HayDay podcast, you know that Amanda is the nice one, right? So let me sling some slang to get us started. I wanna hold your hand while I say this with my whole chest and my...

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…You're in a board meeting when the chair suddenly lights up and declares, "I just read that MacKenzie Scott gave away $2 billion last year! We should apply for one of her grants for our new community center!" The room buzzes...

The Reality Check We All Need: How HR1 Will Impact Our Work I've been digging into the implications of the reconciliation bill that was signed into law this July, and I need to share what I've learned with our community. Amanda and I discussed this in more detail on...

To get a grant, you must demonstrate a need. And that need should directly reflect the gaps in programs, services, or other resources that your community needs to thrive. Over the next 12-18 months, federal funding will shift dramatically, and your ability to best...

If you’re anything like me, you could use a solid boost of positive energy and a feel-good story for inspiration. Look or listen no further!  In the most recent episode of the Fundraising HayDay podcast interview, Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks shared her remarkable 25-year...

Grant Readiness: It's About Way More Than Just Writing When most people think about grants, they immediately jump to "grant writing." While writing is critical to the process, it's one piece of a much larger puzzle. The secret to grant success is to be grant-ready...