The Impact Issue #108: More Donors, Less Funding? Here’s What To Do Next.

Hey there!

If your grant strategy has been feeling a little ….scattered lately, you’re not imaging things.

Between shifting donor behavior, the rise of AI, and a constant stream of new opportunities, it’s getting harder to know where to focus - and what actually matters.

And here’s the challenge: more options don’t always lead to better results.

This week, we’re breaking down how to stay grounded in a clear, intentional strategy - so you can make smarter decisions about where to invest your time, how to adapt to changes in giving, and which opportunities are actually worth pursuing.

Let’s dive in!

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Don't Miss Out!

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But first: The Workarounds End Here.

Grant teams tackle some of the most complex, high-stakes work in the nonprofit sector, but the infrastructure hasn’t kept up. 96% rely on workarounds, and 87% have walked away from funding due to operational burden.

This spring, that changes.

Join Instrumentl Co-founders Gauri Manglik and Angela Braren as they unveil the first operating system for grants - where every stage of the grant lifecycle connects and each stage makes the next one smarter.

Pick your date:

• April 23 — See it first!
• April 30 — Can’t make the 23rd? We’re running it back!

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Pitfalls and Pointers

It feels like there’s always something new you should be doing. A new storytelling format. A new campaign style. A new way to “stand out”.

But constantly pivoting to keep up can quietly pull your organization off course - and weaken your grant proposals in the process.

⚠️ Pitfall: Following trends without a clear strategy

It’s easy to see what’s working for other organizations and think, we should try that too. But when you adopt ideas without pressure-testing them, you risk:

• Diluting your core messaging
• Prioritizing what’s visible over what’s effective
• Building programs or proposals that don’t align with your mission or funder priorities.

And when your strategy feels scattered, funders notice.

💡 Pointer: Build around fit, not FOMO

Before jumping on a new idea, take a step back and ask:

• Does this align with our mission and long-term goals?
• Does this strengthen what funders already value about our work?
• Do we have the capacity to sustain this beyond the initial push?

If the answer isn’t clear, it’s probably not the right move - at least, not right now.

Instead, focus on:

• Doubling down on your programs that have proven outcomes
• Strengthening messaging that already resonates with funders
• Refining systems that make your impact easier to measure and communicate

Because strong proposals aren't built on what’s trending; they’re built on what’s consistent, aligned, and backed by results.

🔐 Unlock the secrets to a winning grant strategy - without chasing every new trend.

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Tech You Should Know

What: 

Anthropic’s AI Fluency for Nonprofits - a free learning experience designed to help nonprofit professionals understand, evaluate, and responsibly use AI in their day-to-day work.

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Build confidence with AI: Instead of guessing how to use AI (or avoiding it altogether), you’ll learn what it’s actually good for in grant work.
• Save time without sacrificing quality: Understand how to use AI to support drafting, editing, and researching - while keeping your proposals human and compelling.
• Make smarter decisions about tools: Walk away knowing how to evaluate AI platforms before investing time or money.
• Strengthen your strategic thinking: Learn how to integrate AI into your workflow in a way that supports your goals - not districts from them.

Keep in Mind:

• AI is a tool - not a strategy: It should support your existing grant strategy, not replace it.
• Human insight still wins: Your understanding of your mission, community, and funders is what makes proposals compelling.
• Start with use cases, not tools: Focus on where AI can help before deciding which AI tool to use.

🖥️ Build your AI skills so you can use it with purpose - not just because it’s trendy.

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Amanda Day & Kimberly Hays de Muga on Strategic Grantseeking

Feeling overwhelmed by too many grant opportunities - and not sure where to focus? You’re not alone!

In a webinar hosted by HayDay Services, grant experts Amanda Day and Kimberly Hays de Muga tackled one of the biggest challenges in grant writing: analysis paralysis.

Here’s their expert advice:

• Start with your needs - not the opportunities. Before you even look at available grants, get clear on what your organization actually needs to fund. The right opportunities should follow - not drive - your strategy.
• Don’t confuse eligibility with competitiveness. Just because you can apply doesn’t mean you should. Focus on opportunities where you have a real chance of winning - not just meeting the minimum criteria.
• Use a consistent “go/no-go” framework. Evaluate every opportunity based on factors like timeline, funding fit, reporting requirements, and internal capacity - so you’re not making decisions on gut feeling alone.
• Prioritize quality over quantity. It’s not about how many grants you submit - it’s about how many actually move your mission forward.

🎧 Watch the full webinar to learn more about how to cut through the noise and build a better strategy.

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The Latest Numbers

CCS Fundraising’s 2026 Philanthropy Outlook highlights a shift in how charitable giving may take shape in the coming years.

More than 8 million additional households are expected to give, thanks to a new universal charitable deduction.

Sounds like a win, right?

Here’s the catch:

• Those new donors are expected to give at lower amounts on average
• Meanwhile, -$6.1 billion in giving could be lost from top-bracket donors
• -$1.55 billion may drop form corporate giving
• And -$2.43 billion could be affected by new itemizer thresholds

All together, the report projects a $5.69 billion annual decline in total charitable giving.

In other words: more people are giving - but not at levels high enough to replace the dollars lost from major and corporate donors.

But don’t panic - this shift is something you can plan for.

Here are 3 ways to get ahead of it:

• Turn new donors into long-term supporters with stronger donor retention practices.
• Build a mid-level giving strategy for your individual donors that actually grows revenue over time.

Reduce reliance on major gifts by diversifying your funding mix

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Opportunities Spotlight

Mutual of American Community Partnership Award

Who It’s For: Nonprofits, public agencies, and social enterprises delivering impactful community programs

Next Deadline: May 15, 2026

Grant Amount: $25,000+

The Details:

• Recognizes outstanding partnerships that improve quality of life in communities across the US
• Emphasis on collaborative efforts between nonprofits, government, and/or private sector partners
• Winners receive national exposure, which can help attract additional funding and support
• Strong fit for organizations with proven programs and measurable outcomes - not early-stage ideas

👉 Apply Here!

James M. Cox Foundation Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits focused on youth, education, health, and community enrichment in areas where Cox Enterprises operates

Next Deadline: May 15, 2026

Grant Amount: Typically $2,500 - $50,000

The Details:

• Supports programs that improve quality of life, with a strong emphasis on youth development and education
• Focuses on communities where Cox Enterprises has a presence, making geographic alignment key
• Funds both programmatic support and broader community initiatives
• Prioritizes organizations with clear impact, strong leadership, and community ties

👉 Apply Here!

Don’t miss even more good-fit opportunities!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: Grant Writing in the ChatGPT Era: How AI Can Help & Hinder Successful Proposal Development

April 23, 2026 | 2-3 PM ET

This session, hosted by Dogwood Health Trust, explores how funders are responding to AI, where AI can create risks in proposal development, and what the “X factor” is in winning grants that generic AI output can’t replicate. It’s a strong fit for grant writers who want to use AI thoughtfully without weakening strategy or quality.

Hurry - spots fill up fast!

✅ Register Now!

📅 Conference: Points of Light Conference 2026

June 22-25, 2026 | Washington, DC

Points of Light’s social impact conference brings together nonprofit leaders, civic innovators, educators, and corporate partners for hands-on learning, networking, and sessions focused on strengthening communities and advancing civic engagement. It’s a solid pick for nonprofit professionals looking beyond grant tactics to broader strategy and leadership.

Don’t wait - registration is live!

✅ 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 Build a Grant Strategy that Actually Works

If you’re tired of chasing every opportunity and hoping something sticks, this guide walks you through how to build a focused, realistic grant strategy from the ground up - so you can spend more time on the right opportunities (and less on guesswork).

👉 Get the Full Story!

📼 Video: Building Relationships with Grantmakers

Strong grant strategies aren’t just about what you write - they’re about who you connect with. This webinar, hosted by CharityHowTo, breaks down how to build meaningful, long-term relationships with funders so you’re not starting from scratch with every application.

👉 Watch the Master Class!

🎙️ Podcast: Unlocking Social Media Fundraising

Social media can feel like just another “trend” to keep up with - but when used strategically, it can become a powerful fundraising channel. This episode of the Nonprofit Hub Podcast breaks down how nonprofits can turn engagement into real support without spreading themselves too thin.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

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Simplify Your Grant Work

You’ve got enough on your plate - chasing grants shouldn’t be one of them.

With Instrumentl, you can find the right grants faster, track every deadline in one place, and focus your time on opportunities that actually fit your mission.

Join thousands of nonprofits using Instrumentl to work smarter, not harder.

✏️ Start your 14-day free trial today!

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