Hi :

(Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may be interested.)

Do you write text (copy) for a social sector organization? I'm talking about a nonprofit, social enterprise, or similar group that has a social mission.

If so, you undoubtedly have a lot on your mind. What is the organization's brand strategy? Who are its target markets? How can you explain the benefits it brings to the community?

It's also your job to help the organization share information and enthusiasm about its work with interested people who may want to exchange their support (money, time, etc.) for the value the organization adds <more>

Why (Only) Nonprofit Storytelling Won't Be Enough in 2014 (guest post)

Grant Proposal Feedback Clinic (webinar)

Learn from my feedback on 2 grantwriters' drafts. You'll also hear about 2 of the basics you'll need: what I call the 2 P's (Purposes and Priorities).

Participants said:

"This was really helpful. I really liked that we got to see what other people had written - and Dalya's feedback was wonderful."

"I was delighted to get a better sense of how to hit an LOI out of the park. I soaked everything up."

A couple of event organizers quoted in the video:

"Dalya is an excellent speaker, has attracted large audiences, always offers a wealth of useful ideas, and is a pleasure to work with."

"Dalya's expertise was very sought-after by our participants, and she delivered targeted, relevant and impactful information to our attendees. She is an incredible resource!"

Starting in October 2014, the Writing Wednesdays format will undergo a small change. Formerly a conference call series, it is now a full-fledged podcast that you can listen to during your commute, at the gym, etc. You can also download the accompanying visuals online. New recordings will be released one Wednesday per month.

Writing Wednesdays will still cover a wide range of writing-related topics for the social sector. But the new format will offer higher audio quality and more flexibility. I will announce each new podcast in this newsletter, but if you want notification on release days, just sign up HERE. 

This distance learning community will shorten your grantwriting learning curve and help you win grants faster!

The Grantwriter's FastTrack Coaching Program offers a unique 6-week opportunity to develop or refresh your grantwriting skills. We'll cover the topics that YOU most want to learn about, as they relate to the craft and business of grantwriting to foundations and corporations.

The Program includes group training, thorough feedback on 2 of your proposal drafts, individual "laser" coaching, group Q & A, and written materials: all to help you improve at least one grant proposal in real time and tweak many others for months to come. You'll also earn up to 7 Continuing Education credits through CFRE International!

This online program is designed for you if...

• You have grantwriting responsibilities as a nonprofit development or program staff member, volunteer, or board member
• You are a beginning/intermediate grantwriter
• You have strong writing skills and want to explore the world of grantwriting

If you or your organization is ready to invest in grantwriting capacity, you owe it to yourself to check out the FastTrack Program.

~ Limited to 6 friendly folks! ~

Regular Fee: $527 (payment plans available)

Early Bird Discount thru 10/3: $477 (payment plans available)

Get more info today right HERE. 

(FYI, if 3 or more people from your organization are interested in the FastTrack Program, we can run a custom series just for you!)

Q: If you're applying to a foundation that supports operating costs as well as programs, should you build a relationship first by going for a program-related grant, and then follow up the next year with an operating cost grant, or can you go right for the operating costs? Which is more likely to get funded, in your opinion?

A: Most funders will want to start out with a program grant to test you out. But I would recommend contacting them, explaining that you are interested in both, and getting their suggestion. Each funder is very different, as I am sure you know.

Q: If a foundation has a grant range of $5K - $25K and an average grant size of $15K, what's the best number to pick for your first grant request to them?

A: This is another great question to ask when you speak with the funder. Generally, a first grant is going to be on the lower end. With no other info, I would probably ask for $15K. A first grant will probably be less than the funder's average grant size, but it is always good to ask for a bit more than you expect. Just make sure you request  just a fraction of the total project budget.

Q:  If you are pursuing other funding for a project but have not been approved for it yet, do you include that information in a new proposal?

A: In the Request for Proposal or Grant Guidelines, you will often be asked about other pending funding and/or your financial sustainability strategy. These are great opportunities to talk about other grants you are pursuing.

Good news! These questions are exactly the kind we answer in the Grantwriter's FastTrack Coaching Program. You will also get to engage in a mock grantmaker-grantseeker conversation where you can ask these questions (and many more you'll learn about), in preparation for the real thing.

This past summer was the hottest on record (since 1880). I'm sure you noticed! You probably drank lots of water. But was it bottled or from the tap?

Switch from bottled water to tap water -- filtered when necessary.  (Actually, bottled water is often just tap water, but that is another story...)

Bottled water is an environmental disaster! It consumes petroleum and wastes or contaminates several times as much water as goes in the bottle. In addition, bottling plants can draw down the local water supply, causing problems for agriculture and for local residents. Plus, the carbon footprint of transporting the water around the world is significant.

What about times you need a water bottle because you're out and about? Fill a reusable bottle at home or at a water fountain.

PS: Find me (Writing for Community Success) in the National Green Pages under "writing services " (page 84/85)