I never thought that a podcast can actually predict the future, but our newest Fundraising HayDay episode all about the power and need for inclusive language was recorded at the 2024 Grant Summit in November. Amanda and I had the privilege of interviewing three incredible grant and marketing experts about inclusive language. The conversation was so enlightening that I wanted to share some key takeaways.
In today’s rapidly changing social landscape, how we communicate about the communities we serve in our grant proposals and marketing materials can significantly impact our relationships, effectiveness, and ultimately, our missions.
Our incredible guests included Morgan Carpenter, a nonprofit consultant and grant writer at Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting; and India Phoenix and Jamie “JR” Rasmussen, co-founders of By the Brujas, a consultancy dedicated to transformative communication strategies and leadership development.
The current push to scour any trace of DEI language from federal grant-making agencies is not a signal for everyone to back off problematic language that persist in nonprofit communications. If anything, we all need to push forward together.
Jamie shared a powerful insight: “If you haven’t taken the time to understand and get to know the person, then you’re referring to them as an object, not as a person.” This struck me deeply. How often in our deadline rushes have we filled need statements with a litany of statistics or problems to be solved (AKA Poverty Porn), rather than seeing the full humanity of those we serve? Yes, there are often character or word limits and many RFP questions to answer in small spaces, but there are ways to weave community assets and accomplishments into grant proposals.
As India explained, “If you’re in relationship with those you serve, telling stories and pulling out anecdotes for your grant narratives is not going to be difficult.”
This isn’t about being politically correct—it’s about accuracy, respect, and effectiveness. When we tell stories from a place of genuine connection and understanding, our narratives become more authentic and compelling.
An eye-opening moment came when we discussed how grant writing and marketing teams should be communicating regularly. As JR pointed out, “If you’re writing something in a grant, are you also sharing that publicly? And if you’re saying something else publicly, how is that contradicting what you wrote in the grant?” This underscores the importance of consistent, authentic messaging across all platforms.
What I appreciate most about this conversation was its authenticity. There were no easy answers or quick fixes—just honest dialogue about how we can all do better in our communication.
As grant professionals, our words have power. They can perpetuate harmful stereotypes or help build a more equitable world. The choice is ours each time we sit down to write.
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The Fundraising HayDay Podcast charted on the 90 Best Fundraising Podcast list compiled by Feedspot . In fact, we landed at spot #4.
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