The Impact Issue #31: Thinking Outside the Text

Hey there,

Welcome to The Impact—your weekly dose of grant writing tips, opportunities, and inspiration.

The grant writing landscape is constantly evolving, and we’re here to help you stay ahead.

This week, we're talking about the power of data visualization in your proposals, highlighting a tool that’ll take your visuals to the next level, and sharing seven secrets to a funder’s heart.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

You’ve probably heard that a picture’s worth a thousand words.

If images are so impactful, why are graphics an afterthought in most grant proposals?

⚠️ Pitfall: Submitting Text-Heavy Applications

In text-heavy proposals, it can be easy for funders to lose sight of key takeaways.

There’s nothing worse than having a successful program but communicating your achievements in a way that nobody is able to get to the good stuff! By not making use of data visualization tools, you miss out on communicating your impact in a way that’s memorable and effective.

💡Pointer: Leverage Graphics in Your Proposals

Want funders to be hooked on your proposal? Give them something visual to keep their attention and to remember. Whether it’s a chart, graph, or diagram, visualizing your data makes a huge difference. It brings your impact to life and highlights why your project is so important.

Here are some examples for inspiration:

• Before-and-After Impact Comparisons: Show how your program has made a difference by creating before-and-after visuals. Charity: Water has a great example of a bar graph that shows the decrease in water insecurity in their Nepal pilot study.‍
• Budget Breakdowns: Use pie charts to visually break down where your funding will be allocated. In their 2022 Impact Report, Habitat for Humanity used a pie chart to illustrate their use of funds broken down by expense category. You could do something similar for your proposed grant budget.‍
• Visual Timelines for Project Milestones: Consider presenting your project timeline using a visual roadmap, showing funders different key milestones. This is especially useful for long-term projects that evolve over time. Look at the Central Texas Food Bank’s graphic for inspiration!‍
• Infographics Summarizing Key Statistics: Combine key data points, like the number of people served, total hours volunteered, or funds raised, into one clean, eye-catching infographic. This makes it easy for funders to understand your organization's reach at a glance. Feeding America’s Hunger Facts graphic is a great example.

Not sure what other pitfalls you might be running into with your proposals?

🚩 Check out the top five mistakes made in grant writing—and what to do instead!

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Tech You Should Know

What:

Need a simple way to bring your data to life? Meet Infogram, a tool that allows you to create beautiful, interactive visuals—no design skills required!

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Visualize Data: You can upload your data directly to the platform to create charts, maps, infographics, and more with an easy and intuitive drag and drop interface.‍
• Collaborate With Your Team: Infogram’s real-time collaboration and commenting features ensure version control while letting your whole team contribute to the designs.‍
• Integrate Your Designs: With Infogram, you can embed visuals directly on your website or blog. There are even dynamic charts that update in real time based on the latest data.

Bonus Tip: Infogram has templates tailored for nonprofits so you don’t have to start from scratch.

🌟 Check out all Infogram has to offer and get started today!

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Rachel Grusin’s 7 Secrets to a Funder’s Heart

Funder relationships are important—but that doesn’t mean they’re easy.

Rachel Grusin, Project Coordinator at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, shared with us seven strategies that a seasoned grant team can use to transform basic funder relationships into robust partnerships.

Check out her tips for fostering mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to achieving impactful outcomes.

Here’s her expert advice:

• Develop Customized Engagement Plans: While it does take effort, you should tailor your engagement to each individual funder’s communication style and expectations.‍
• Move Beyond Generic Updates and Reports: Dive into more sophisticated engagement by sharing stories and data that resonate with the funder’s specific goals. Show that you value their relationship and understand their perspective.‍
• Value Their Input: Keep funders in the loop with regular updates and be transparent about setbacks to establish trust. Ask for their feedback as partners in your work—not just as funders.‍
• Acknowledge and Appreciate Them: Regularly thank funders in your publications and make sure your events team knows to include them. Recognition is key to developing a strong partnership.‍
• Become a Resource: Help funders meet their goals by being an organization they can call for trustworthy insights and answers. Make sure they know you are available as a resource.‍
• Foster Multiple Levels of Relationships: Make sure your board, your executive staff, and your program leads also build relationships at the funder’s organization.‍
• Remember That Funders Are People Too: Focus on more than just the financial transactions. Invite them to events, offer opportunities to interact with the people they’re helping, or even involve them in volunteering activities. 

🔍 For more tips on building deep relationships with funders check out the full webinar!

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🎁 A Gift for You: Annual Report Template for Nonprofits

Crafting your nonprofit’s annual report can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve got you covered with a free Annual Report Template to help you showcase your impact, financials, and future goals with clarity and professionalism.

This easy-to-use template includes:

• Visual storytelling tips to make your data stand out
• Editable sections for highlighting key accomplishments
• Guidance on presenting financial data in a way funders will appreciate

👉 Download your free template here!

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Opportunities Spotlight

❗Big Lots Foundation Grants

Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations working on the issues of hunger, housing, healthcare, and education. 

Next Deadline: January 1, 2025

Grant Amount: Variable

The Details: Big Lots invests in partnerships that improve and enrich the lives of families and children. Support is provided through monetary gifts, gift cards, and merchandise in-kind to organizations where Big Lots operates stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices.

👉 Apply Here!

⭐ Creating New Economies Fund (CNEF) Grant

Who It’s For: Organizations who focus on work in rural, low-income communities to address root causes of community poverty

Next Deadline: February 16, 2025

Grant Amount: Up to $15,000

The Details: The Creating New Economies Fund Grant supports projects that are planned and implemented by community organizations that build on local assets (a community’s natural, historical, cultural, and human resources) to address community challenges.

👉 Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Hybrid Training Program: Grants Works’ Federal Grants Simplified Bootcamp

On demand now; hybrid (on demand + live classes) starting November 14, 2024

Now's your chance to learn the fundamentals of what it takes to find, obtain, and manage a federal grant. Grants Works is offering Instrumentl members an opportunity to learn about federal grants and earn six (6) CFRE or six (6) GPCI education credits while doing it. You’ll also get a 25% discount with code INSTRUMENTL24B if you sign up through November 14!

Don’t miss out!

👉 Register Now!‍

To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: How to Determine the Requirements for a Grant Application Using Instrumentl

Are you new to Instrumentl? Check out this guide to learn exactly how you can leverage our platform to increase your efficiency in your grant search and accurately tailor your proposals to each funder.

👉 Get the Full Story!

📑 Article: What Is the Best Funding for Nonprofit Organizations?

Check out one of our newest articles about creative funding strategies, evaluating the pros and cons of different funding sources, and learning to adjust proposals to different kinds of donors.

👉 Read the full Article!

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Ready to Win and Maintain Grants Like a Pro?

Are you facing challenges in your grant prospecting or grant management? Are you looking for creative strategies to increase the retention of your funders and improve communication?

Instrumentl has the resources you need 👇

👉 Try Instrumentl free for 14 days today!