The Impact Issue #2: Grant Writing Just Got Easier

Hi there,

We know how busy the world of grant writing can be.

That’s why we’re turning our newsletter into your one-stop-shop for everything grants professionals like you need to know.

In just five minutes, you’ll get expert advice, details on the latest trends, and new opportunities that just might be the perfect fit for your organization – and it all starts now.

Welcome to The Impact.

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Opportunities Spotlight
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Dr. Scholl Foundation Grants

Who It’s For: 501(c)(3) organizations focused in community enrichment

Next Deadline: Mar 1, 2024

Grant Amount: US $5,000 - US $25,000

Overview: This grant provides financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world.

👉 Apply Here!

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Grey Muzzle Grants

Who It’s For: Shelters, rescue groups, sanctuaries, and other nonprofit organizations who help senior dogs

Next Deadline: Mar 14, 2024

Grant Amount: US $2,500 - US $10,000

Overview: This grant funds programs designed to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs

👉 Apply Here!

Looking for something else?
👉 Discover thousands more grant opportunities here!

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Pitfalls and Pointers

We all know how competitive grants can be.

So might as well blindly throw a proposal at as many opportunities as possible to see what sticks – right?

Well, not quite.

⚠️ Pitfall: Not Evaluating a Funder

The not-so-secret strategy to winning a grant is finding opportunities that are a good fit to begin with.

Because the last thing you want to do is waste time and effort developing proposals you probably had little chance of winning.

But the good news?

Evaluating funders might be easier than it sounds – and it can save you a whole lot of time and money in the long run.

💡 Pointer: Research, Analyze, Tailor

Thoroughly researching a funder’s criteria – and thinking realistically about whether your project is a good fit – is a great first step.

Next, analyze data from their 990 forms to identify trends. You might discover your organization matches (or doesn’t match) their previous giving patterns.

(Insider Tip: Instrumentl displays this kind of data in a format that makes trend-spotting easy!)

Finally, write a custom-tailored proposal based on your findings – and explain to them what made you believe theirs was the perfect grant for your project.

Because if you believe, they just might believe it, too.

👉 Explore More Patterns to Look for When Evaluating a Funder!

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Have You Tried This?

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Instrumentl Feature: Reporting

Easily impress your boss, your coworkers, your board, or your clients with Instrumentl’s intuitive reporting features.

It’s simple:

• Navigate to your project tracker
• Click the Download Report button
• Select the projects, statuses, and date ranges you want to see
• Choose from either a CSV or PDF to display your data

Bonus: PDFs automatically include hyperlinks to individual projects, allowing anyone to view more detailed information whenever they need it.

👉 See Reporting in Action with This Walkthrough!

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Tech You Should Know

Have you ever reread a sentence so many times that it stopped making sense?

It happens to all of us – except Grammarly.

And if you’re a grant writer, that can be a lifesaver.

What: Grammarly is a writing assistant that easily integrates into your browser or writing applications.

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Spelling: Sure, “defiantly” is a word, but it’s definitely not what you meant. And Grammarly will catch it.
• Grammar: Me vs. I. Less vs. Fewer. Farther vs. Further. Who has time to remember it all? Grammarly does, apparently.
• Clarity: You got the sentence down on paper, and your readers will probably understand what you meant – but Grammarly will make sure they do.
• Tone: When you write a proposal, you want to sound confident in your message, even if you don’t always feel that way. Grammarly can help you get there.

Keep in Mind:

• Not Every Suggestion Is a Winner: Although it gets it right a lot of the time, Grammarly isn’t in your brain, so always double-check that it’s getting across exactly what you meant to say.

👉 Discover More Great Software for Nonprofits!

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Expert Perspectives

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Elizabeth Burrows on how to pursue grant opportunities and clients

After receiving lifesaving care from the Mayo Clinic, Elizabeth Borrows launched Burrows Consulting to expand healthcare accessibility, especially in rural areas.

Now, with over $175,000,000 secured for healthcare organizations across the country, Elizabeth shares a few tips for aspiring nonprofit consultants.

Here’s her expert advice:

• Be fearless when pursuing opportunities
• Be willing to meet potential clients
• Always initiate the first conversation
• Understand your “why”
• Care deeply about your mission

Looking for more expert tips? Check out Elizabeth’s full story!

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Networking Nook

The opportunities that were originally shared in this issue of The Impact have since passed. To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

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Article:

Redefining Nonprofit and Professional Associations With AI

Nonprofits and professional associations have been slow to adopt the latest in artificial intelligence, but Info-Tech Research Group is looking to change that.

👉 Check Out the Full Story!

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Podcast:

The Importance of Communication In Your Nonprofit's Success

The latest episode of Nonprofit Nuggets with Jennifer Yarbrough teaches the basics of effective communication in the nonprofit sector.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

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Make Your Grants Process Easier Than Ever

If you’re ready to spend less time researching grants and more time applying for your best possible fits, you’ll love Instrumentl’s intuitive end-to-end grant management platform.

👉 And now, you can try it free for 14 days 🔥