QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Nothing you write, if you hope to be good, will ever come out as you first hoped –
Lillian Hellman |
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Check out my featured article in the January/February issue of the Grassroots Fundraising Journal. The piece reminds us that funders rely on nonprofits to fulfill their missions, and offers tips for interrupting the lopsided power dynamics that often plague those relationships. As a subscriber to my newsletter, you can read " Time to Reclaim Your Power in Funder Relationships" for
free. It starts out like this:
GRANT FUNDING HAS A LOT TO DO WITH POWER. Who has the money, who gets the money, and what are the dynamics between the two groups?
At first glance, it can definitely appear that foundations and other funders hold all the cards when it comes to their relationships with grantseekers. After all, grantmakers control the funds and seem to have complete discretion
over how the money is doled out.
As a grantseeker, you may feel like you're begging with a virtual tin cup. By accepting this position of powerlessness, you may hope funders take pity on you. Or maybe you will learn to answer their questions with the answers they want to hear. If they visit your organization, you often find yourself bending over backwards to please them. You would never think of biting (or even challenging) the hand that may feed
you.
After all, beggars can't be choosers, right?
If you are somehow successful in winning the grant, your eternally grateful (and dependent) stance will continue: one that looks up to the grantmaker as the one calling all the shots.
I have seen this attitude run rampant throughout the many years I have been conducting grantseeking trainings. Participants are eager to learn how to "play the grant game" with their
mysterious opponents. Students often get nervous when practicing one-on-one conversations with funders because it feels like one wrong move can seal a decision to deny funding.
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Wednesday, February 15, 10am-11am PT
Most nonprofits need to attract grants to help pursue their missions or carry out specific programs. But perhaps -- like many other nonprofit executives -- you have been less than thrilled with the results of your organization's grantseeking efforts. How can you boost your team's efficiency and effectiveness? What can
you do on a managerial level to empower your grantseekers to be more successful?
In this webinar you will learn some strategic tips to get the most out of your grantseeking dollars, We'll cover:
- Why you must set up for success - whether you're using staff, consultants, or volunteers
- How to ensure that your organization is ready to seek the grants you need
- Strategic decisions you will need to make
- How to rally the organizational capacity you will need
- How to prepare
for the informational needs of grantseekers
Sign up for this FREE webinar hosted by 4good.org RIGHT HERE.
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HOLIDAY GIFT RAFFLE WINNER
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Congratulations to Denise Bridges, the winner of last month's Holiday Gift raffle! On behalf of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, Denise won an expert, written review of a Letter of Intent. Thank you for all the work you do to support the cultural
arts community.
I offer LOI review services to nonprofit grantseekers year-round to help build their capacity and confidence to engage readers and boost impact. The reviews help to highlight their unique voice and add a professional polish to their proposals and LOIs. Service fees are on a sliding scale according to the organization's budget.
Learn more about
document reviews and other services I offer, and how to contact me to set up your complimentary initial strategy session HERE.
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FEATURED SERVICE: GRANTWRITER'S FASTTRACK COACHING PROGRAM
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The Grantwriter's FastTrack Coaching Program offers in-depth training, coaching, practice, and feedback to build your team's capacity to develop competitive grant applications. This unique online program results in at least one improved grant proposal/report that can be tweaked for months to come. We are an Approved Provider of CFRE continuing education
credits.
The customized learning program is designed for groups of 2-5 colleagues (staff, volunteers, or board members) who: Seek to start or grow a robust grantseeking system at your nonprofit organization Are beginning/intermediate grantwriters who will benefit from guidance, accountability, practice, and feedback
Need a convenient way to
integrate grantwriting training into their regularly scheduled work
(Note: Colleagues can be from a single organization or 2 allied organizations. One-on-one programs are also available.) The multi-week program
Includes: Several 90-minute live group webinars (recorded for future reference) Training documents with instruction, samples, checklists, worksheets, and other tools and resources Group discussions over several weeks, both during live sessions and online Thorough feedback and advice on real-time grant proposal/report drafts and other homework Supportive coaching about your organization's specific situation Official Certificates of Completion
Three ways the Grantwriter's FastTrack Program is unique: The FastTrack program goes beyond one-size-fits-all group training "boot camps". Instead, it is customized to your organization's specific interests and schedule over several weeks. We allow time to process the lessons covered and
practice via homework assignments.
The FastTrack program encourages your team members to learn from each other, as well as practice providing analytical feedback. Working as a team builds group cohesion in a shared context, and can lead to future collaboration.
The FastTrack program is conveniently delivered to your organization regardless of
geography. All sessions (and the online discussion group) include extensive interaction and Q & A. That is, the program is NOT like many of the static online trainings you may know about.
Since 2014, Grantwriter's FastTrack Program participants have: Increased their clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm about grantwriting Felt empowered to give helpful feedback to their grantwriting colleagues Understood what their next steps would be after the program's end
Now Scheduling Customized FastTrack Programs for
2017!
For a complimentary strategy session to discuss your organization's needs, contact us HERE.
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Like many changemakers, I am concerned about our planet's climate crisis. This feature shares some simple eco-tips provided by my friend and green business consultant, Shel Horowitz. Here are a few basic tips to prepare for the new year:
1. Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm; pay an annual membership and receive vegetables, herbs, and other goodies every week.
This helps local farmers, provides your family with extremely high-quality food, and eliminates the environmental consequences of transporting food long distances.
2. Grow some of your own food. If you have any land at all, an organic garden is easy. If you have no land, you can at least grow tomatoes and herbs on your windowsills, and sprouts on your kitchen counter. Warning: You may
lose your tolerance for lifeless store-bought veggies once you've gotten used to the real thing!
3. Install faucet aerators on all faucets, and low flow high-performance shower heads with on-off switches so you don't waste water while lathering your hair on all showers. Some of these items may be free with an energy audit from your local utility. Even if you
have to pay for them, the aerators should cost only pennies, and the shower heads no more than $25 or so (sometimes as little as $5). You can easily install them yourself.
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Dalya F. Massachi, M.A.
~grantseeking - content development - nonfiction book editing - featured speaking ~
* The highest compliment you can offer is a referral.
Find us in the National Green Pages for writing, editing, training & coaching services!
Office: 510-839-1544 |
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