The Impact Issue #102: Being Vulnerable With Funders

Hi there!

It can be hard to admit we don’t have all the answers. But those moments of vulnerability build trust with funders, so it’s critical that we step out of our comfort zones and get real.

In this week’s issue, you’ll learn how to identify weaknesses and build confidence to help your nonprofit grow. We’ll also share networking opportunities, potential grants, and so much more.

Welcome to The Impact.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

⚠️ Pitfall: Overpromising and Underdelivering Results

You want to believe you have all the answers. After all, you’re committed to helping your community solve a real need, and you have great plans to do so.

However, sometimes you might overpromise in your grant applications and then underdeliver in your execution. When you do that, funders start to lose trust in your abilities and your credibility can be damaged.

💡 Pointer: Admit Weaknesses and Gaps to Build Trust and Transparency

The truth is, it’s okay not to have all the answers, especially when you’re launching a new program.

Admitting weaknesses and identifying potential challenges you’ll face in your grant application (rather than just glossing over them) will actually enhance your proposal.

Here’s how to do this well:

• Acknowledge gaps: Face your limitations head-on. You may need to develop more standardized operating procedures or formalize your evaluation processes. Instead of hiding from your opportunities for growth, bring them to light.
• Follow them up with action: It’s not enough to say you have a weakness; you need a clear plan for how you will address it. For example, partner with other organizations that have strengths where you lack or work with consultants to help bridge gaps. Whatever you end up choosing, be specific with your proposed solutions.
• Emphasize the role the funder will play throughout it all. Funders want to see themselves as part of change, and that includes at your organization. Make it clear how they fit into the narrative of increasing your capacity and impact.

Looking for more ways to enhance your grant applications?

👀 Check out these 24 tips for writing stronger grant proposals!

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Tech You Should Know

What

Creately’s free online SWOT analysis tool can help you identify your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

How Grant Writers Can Use It

• Collaborate more easily with key stakeholders. Work in real-time with your team to help understand the internal and external factors that are impacting your organization.
• Leverage AI insights to solve common problems. Enter a brief description of your project or challenge and let AI break it down for you. This third-party insight could help you see your organization from a new perspective.
• Develop strategic plans and roadmaps. An effective SWOT analysis can help you get on the same page about what you can realistically accomplish based on your current resources.

Keep in Mind

A SWOT analysis only measures a moment in time. It can change, so it’s important to regularly revisit your analysis to make sure it is still representative of your organization’s current climate.

🧩 Start on your SWOT analysis with Creately!

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Katie Appold on Growing Your Confidence

Nonprofit consultant Katie Appold knows the importance of putting your best foot forward—and that starts with being confident. According to Katie, confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you can learn and grow over time.

Here’s her expert advice:

• Get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Consider the moments that challenge yourself - board meetings, donor calls, presentations - and start to do them more often. Confidence is a practice, and you can get better and stronger the more attention you put into it.
• Be prepared. The more prepared you can be, the better. You are the expert, so state your opinion clearly and back it up with facts. It’s not about being the loudest person in the room. You want to be the subject matter expert, so don’t be afraid to speak up - and back up your claims with facts.
• Practice genuine, active listening. Don’t just listen to speak, listen to learn. Demonstrated confidence is about being responsive, asking questions, and creating a dialogue that builds everyone up. Let your team speak for their work. True confidence doesn’t get threatened by the good work of others.
• Stop looking for external validation. Your confidence shouldn’t be measured by someone else’s opinion. It’s not about how many social media likes you get or how many people told you you did great. You need to feel it.

🪴 Grow your confidence with Katie during her full webinar!

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Opportunities Spotlight

⭐ Joan M. Wismer Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: U.S.-based nonprofits focused on improving and enriching lives

Next Deadline: Rolling

Grant Amount: $2,500-$25,000

The Details:

The Joan M. Wismer Foundation Grant honors the legacy of its founder. It provides grants to nonprofits in the following areas: education and youth development; safety and humanitarian services; medical and scientific research; and culture and the arts. Priority will be given to organizations that can provide long-term sustainability.

👉 Apply Here!

✨ Pop Culture Collaborative Infrastructure Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits that impact multi-community focus areas to help promote economic justice

Next Deadline: Rolling

Grant Amount: $20,000-$200,000

The Details:

The Pop Culture Collaborative provides grants to organizations that are working to advance long-term narrative change and inspire social change. While their grant program is invitation-only, nonprofits are encouraged to submit an idea for consideration. If invited, you can apply for a one or two-year grant.

👉 Apply Here!

Not the right fit?

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: Grant Writing in the ChatGPT Era: How to Keep Your Edge

Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 1:00 PM EST

As more nonprofits use AI tools like ChatGPT, funders are seeing a wave of proposals that sound the same. In this session, grant professionals will learn how to use AI strategically while protecting their organization’s voice and maintaining a competitive edge.

Don’t miss out!

✅ Save your seat!

📅 Conference: NIO Summit Live

September 22-24 | Fort Worth, TX

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit is where growth-driven nonprofits come to meet. Learn proven tactics that have helped your peers raise more money, network with fundraising experts, and have fun. You don’t want to miss it.

Save your spot!

✅ Register Now!

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

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In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: Why You Shouldn’t Use Deficit-Based Language In Your Grant Proposals

Deficit-based language may be holding your grant applications back, creating an us vs. them narrative that can be off-putting. Learn how to make small shifts in your language to be more asset-based in this article.

👉 Get the Full Story!

📼 Video: How to Run a High-performing Grant Program in Healthcare

Learn from grant professional Teri McClanahan how she set up a strategic, systems-based approach to managing grants in complex environments. Whether you work in a hospital or another organization with multiple departments, this is one session you won’t want to miss.

👉 Watch the Master Class!

🎙️ Podcast: Selecting the Right Consultant with Matt Hugg

Grant expert Matt Hugg shares his insights on how to hire the right consultant for your organization. Not every consultant is created equally, and Matt shares how you can find the diamond in the rough to add the most value to your organization in the short term. 

👉 Listen to the Episode!

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Being Vulnerable Takes Strength

It can be really tempting to just fake it until you make it, overlooking vulnerabilities and gaps instead of addressing them directly.

Thankfully, Instrumentl can help you level up your organization, pushing you to turn your opportunities into strengths.

• Find new grant opportunities. Whether you’re looking to fund a specific program or build capacity, Instrumentl brings the best-fit grants to you. 
• Stay on track. Collaborate with your team in real-time with our calendar, allowing you to see what tasks, deadlines, and key deliverables are coming up.
• Track key information. Instrumentl can be your one-stop shop for all your grant management needs.

🎉 Sign up today for a free 14-day trial!

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