August 17th is National Nonprofit Day --and we can celebrate all month, right? Let's acknowledge the immense effort nonprofits put into making an impact
across the globe.
I feel very fortunate to be connected to so many amazing nonprofits that do incredible work in our communities. If you work at a nonprofit, take a few moments to join your colleagues in honoring all you do!
Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead got it so right when she said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Happy writing,
Dalya Massachi
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(Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who may be interested.)​​
Quote of the Month
Recent Blog Post:
8 Essentials You Need To Set Up Your Nonprofit for Grant Success
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I have spoken with untold numbers of people representing nonprofit organizations who really want to get started — or better at — grantseeking. No wonder! Just think what great work your organization can do with some extra cash.
But wait! There is definitely no “free lunch” and you’d be well-advised to look before you leap. After all, if you’re not really ready to enter the grant world, you will just waste a lot of time, energy, and maybe even money.
If you want to maximize your grantseeking efforts, you need to prepare your organization to be worthy of a grant maker’s investment. That is, you need to be able to show that you are credible, well-run, and effective at carrying out your mission. Not only that, but you have to be set up to use a grant effectively – from their point of view....[more]
 Ask Dalya Live: Twice a Month
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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.
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Submit your questions ahead of time, or just listen in as we discuss issues on the minds of grant writers like you.
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When: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
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August 11 [Episode 7]: Starter Question: "How can your organization’s strategic plan help you attract funds?"
Wondering what to ask? In the last episode, we addressed questions on these topics:
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Topic 21: Using all application space vs. keeping it concise
Topic 22: Ongoing funder relationship
Topic 23: Online groups of funders
Topic 24: Average timeframe involved in getting a grant
Topic 25: Both quantity AND quality of grant proposals
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In case you missed an episode or want to watch again: all"Ask Dalya Live" recordings are available online. Don't forget to leave a comment!
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(By the way, you should be able to see the recorded videos even without a Facebook account.)
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I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Climate Solutions Report
UPDATE: In last month's Climate Solutions Report, I suggested the idea of contacting your favorite products' manufacturers with a simple message about shifting to renewable packaging. A few days later I heard about a new (and free!) app that lets
you easily do just that. It's calledRemark, and users have already started
getting results!
Moving away from using so much plastic is one of the many lifestyle shifts that are actually not that hard to make; they just take a little attention and creativity. Examples: composting instead of throwing food scraps in the landfill, wearing clothes made of
natural fibers instead of oil-based fabrics, reusing or repairing things instead of replacing them, etc.
Even closer to home? Inside our own heads. I have found that the more I learn about how I can contribute to slowing, stopping, or even reversing climate chaos the more empowered I feel.
One way I am doing that is with the free video "course" series called Climate Solutions 101. Put out by Project Drawdown, this series is a great way to get started learning about today's climate solutions from many different perspectives. The 6 units each include a brief lecture, in-depth conversations with experts, and
graphics.
I also really loved thisbrief TED talkby sci-fi writer Kim Stanley Robinson, in the form of a message from someone living 50 years from now.
We hear the "history" of how humanity ended the climate crisis and restored the damage we had done to Earth's biosphere. The story encapsulates what we can do once we come together as people all living on the same planet at this momentous time.
