This month I'm honoring Nelson Mandela, a freedom-fighter from South Africa who made a deep and lasting impression on the world. His unwavering focus on human rights, justice, conflict resolution, and reconciliation led to amazing changes. July 18 was his birthday and in 2010, the United Nations named that day as Nelson Mandela International Day. This annual celebration calls us to
recognize each person's power to make change in our world, beginning wherever we are.
Mandela used his words as a mighty force -- and so can you!
Happy writing,
Dalya Massachi
(Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may be interested.)
If you follow my work, you may have noticed that my advice on writing a grant proposal usually focuses on the written part – called the “narrative” section. But a full grant proposal actually has at least one other component: the budget. Both parts are crucial to grant success and, along with administrative pieces, comprise a total grant proposal package.
Your grant proposal narrative will point the way to your proposal budget; the process is straightforward. In fact, the more directly your narrative flows to the budget the better...[more]
Ask Dalya Live: Twice a Month
Got 10 minutes? Join me twice a month for "Ask Dalya Live." In our brief conversation, I'll answer many of your questions about nonprofit grant writing and management.
Submit your questions ahead of time, or just listen in as we discuss issues on the minds of grant writers like you. You'll also be able to engage in real time to ask any new questions that pop up.
When: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
July 14: Starter Question: "What do funders think about collaborations?"
In the first 4 episodes of Ask Dalya Live we addressed questions on these topics:
– How to tell if your organization is ready to attract grants
– Nonprofit federal tax status
– Grants specifically for Executive Directors
– The true beneficiaries of a grant
– Members of your grant writing & management team – How to show results of your proposed changes
– How a B Corp gets a grant
– Reframing grant strategy for issues under the radar
– Helping a colleague write a proposal's needs statement
– When funders are looking for something “new”
– Importance of the evaluation piece in a grant proposal
– How to find a fiscal sponsor
– Basic structure/outline for grant proposals
– Dealing with other nonprofits that are less than honest
– How to get started on a new nonprofit
– Reading a grantmaker’s ‘Request for Proposals’
Did you miss a session or want to watch again? We've got you covered. All"Ask Dalya Live"
recordings are available online. Don't forget to leave a comment!
(By the way, you should be able to see the recorded videos even without a Facebook account.)
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
In Case You Missed It...
You can use this summer's "downtime" to get your organization ready for grant success. So what can you expect to find in the grant world and how can you prepare for it?
If your organization has not lined up the information, people, and other resources you're going to need, you will be wasting your time and money pursuing grants. You need to make sure you are ready and able to take this on.
In this free introductory webinar, "How to Use the Summer to Prepare Your Organization for Grant
Seeking," we:
Discussed 4 things to consider about the grant world before taking the plunge
Listed the 8 information essentials you need to have at your fingertips
Identified the skills and resources you’ll need on your grant team
Previewed the “Grant Roadmap” that you will travel along
A few participant comments:
“Love the steps and approach for getting ready for grants.”
“I learned: BE PREPARED...and be patient!!!!”
"I love how you made this understandable for all.”
“I am just beginning to learn about grant seeking... This was a great overview to help me get perspective on what is involved.”
“I love the descriptions of “players” in the grant process.”
“I feel better now that I don't have to do it all by myself. One person cannot be a grant team!”
I am inspired by Plastic-Free July, a global movement that started in Australia. Plastic is everywhere, including inside the bodies of humans and animals. It's destroying our oceans and sucking up massive amounts of fossil fuels. Check out your daily routine and count the number
of plastic items you use regularly.
But we can do something about it!
What would happen if enough of us contacted our favorite manufacturers with a simple message about shifting to renewable packaging? This summer I am writing a brief note to companies whose products regularly show up in my life:
"I love your product but I DON'T love your packaging. If you want to keep me as a loyal customer you will need to do better.
Today's climate crisis requires you to lead (or join) your industry in using renewable packaging alternatives. Recyclable materials, plant-based "plastics" or film, and these innovative and creative packages are only a few examples of the many out there.
A great first step would be to join the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Capitalize on consumer interest in renewable packaging by showing us how your company can do it well! We will reward you handsomely."
