What should I write for the sustainability section of a grant proposal?

Funders want to know what happens after their grant ends, especially if you are launching a new program. Your sustainability answer should describe other grants you are pursuing, individual donor support, government funding, program income, corporate partnerships, or board fundraising efforts. Do not write that you will continue to seek funding. That is not a plan. Give the reviewer something specific and realistic.

What is the purpose of the grant proposal summary or abstract?

The summary is typically placed at the beginning of the proposal but should be written last. Once the full proposal is complete, you will have a clearer sense of the strongest points to highlight. A good summary briefly explains who your organization is, what you are requesting, what the grant will support, who will benefit, and what impact the project will have. Keep it clear, jargon-free, and concise. It is the front door to everything that follows.

What if my grant proposal is strong but we still do not get funded?

Not getting funded does not always mean your proposal was weak. Foundations have limited budgets, shifting priorities, and sometimes geographic or strategic constraints that have nothing to do with proposal quality. Request feedback when you can, ask whether you are eligible to reapply, and look for other funders with a closer alignment to your work. Many funded organizations applied multiple times before receiving a grant. Treat each application as a practice run and keep building your foundation of strong, reusable proposal components.

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Inspiration, insight, news, and training resources for nonprofits

How Nonprofits Can Find New Donors (and Actually Keep Them)

You need new donors. Of course you do. Every nonprofit does.

But here is the part nobody likes to say out loud: getting new donors will not fix a fundraising system that cannot keep them.

That is the nonprofit version of pouring water into a bucket, watching it leak all over the floor, and deciding the solution is a bigger hose. Respectfully, no. Fix the bucket.

THE 2026 REALITY CHECK: The Fundraising Effectiveness Project reported in April 2026 that giving grew in 2025, but donor counts still fell. Overall retention edged up only slightly to 43.3%, while new donor retention stayed essentially flat. Translation: the sector is raising more money from fewer people, and first-time donor conversion is still a major problem.

That does not mean you should stop looking for new donors. It means acquisition and retention have to be treated as one connected system. New people need to find you, understand you, trust you, give, feel thanked, see impact, and be invited into a deeper relationship.

Most nonprofits are not failing because their mission is weak. They are failing because the follow-up is weak. Or random. Or trapped in someone's head. Or happening only when there is an appeal going out.

This post covers both sides: how to find new donors and how to keep them once they say yes.

Why Donor Acquisition Fails

Most nonprofits do not have a donor pipeline. They have names scattered across event lists, board contacts, newsletter subscribers, volunteers, lapsed donors, and that one spreadsheet nobody wants to open because it has 47 tabs and no mercy.

A donor pipeline is not a list. It is a process.

It answers simple questions:

· Who are we trying to reach?

· How are new people hearing about us?

· What is the first easy step we invite them to take?

· Who follows up?

· When do they follow up?

· How do we move someone from interested to invested?

· What happens after the first gift?

If your organization cannot answer those questions, donor acquisition will feel like luck. And luck is not a fundraising strategy. It is a casino with a mission statement.

The good news is that you do not need a giant budget to build a stronger pipeline. You need clearer actions, consistent follow-up, and fewer vague asks.

FREE RESOURCE: Need a simple way to see your donor pipeline more clearly? I created a free Donor Pipeline Tracker to help you organize warm prospects, board introductions, first-time donors, follow-up steps, pipeline stage, status, priority, source, and relationship owner. You can use it alongside your donor software, or as a starting point if you do not have donor software yet. Download it HERE.

How to Find New Donors for Your Nonprofit

These are practical strategies nonprofits of almost any size can use. No magic. No “go viral” nonsense. Just relationship-first work that actually makes sense.

1. Ask current donors for specific introductions

Your current donors know people who may care about your mission. But most nonprofits ask for help in the weakest possible way.

“Please introduce us to people who might care” is too vague.

Try this instead:

“Would you be willing to introduce me to two people who care about this issue and might want to learn more about our work?”

That is specific. It is reasonable. It gives the donor a clear next step.

Do this one-on-one with board members, loyal donors, volunteers, and community partners. Not as a mass email. Not as a rushed agenda item at the end of a board meeting when everyone is already mentally in the parking lot.

2. Host a no-ask introduction event

A no-ask event gives new people a chance to understand your work before you ask them for money. This could be a short tour, coffee with the executive director, a lunch-and-learn, a mission moment, a small house gathering, or a behind-the-scenes conversation with program staff.

The goal is not to impress people with a giant production.The goal is to make your mission feel real.

The follow-up matters more than the event. Everyone who attends should receive a personal note or call within a few days. Ask what stood out. Ask what questions they have. Invite them to take one next step.

Do not skip this. The event opens the door. The follow-up is what keeps it from closing.

3. Capture every guest at every event

Many nonprofits track the person who bought the table but not the people sitting at it. That is a missed opportunity wearing a name tag.

Sponsors bring colleagues. Donors bring friends. Board members bring spouses, neighbors, business contacts, and people who politely clap during the appeal and then disappear forever because nobody captured their information.

Build guest information into registration. Collect names and emails for every attendee. Then follow up with something personal and useful: a thank-you, a short impact story, a photo from the event, or an invitation to learn more.

Warm prospects are expensive to ignore.

4. Give board members a fundraising menu, not a guilt trip

Board members often freeze because “help us fundraise” sounds enormous and uncomfortable. They think you are asking them to pressure their friends for money, make awkward asks, or suddenly become professional fundraisers overnight.

That is not what you need from them.

You need introductions. You need opened doors. You need them to help bring the right people closer to the mission.

Give them options instead:

· Introduce the executive director to two people.

· Bring one guest to a no-ask event.

· Make three thank-you calls to donors.

· Share a specific campaign with a personal note.

· Host a small gathering with staff support.

· Review their network list with the development team.

Specific beats vague every time. A board member who will not “fundraise” may absolutely be willing to make introductions, thank donors, or bring someone to a mission moment. Start there.

5. Mine the people already in your database

Before you spend money trying to find strangers, look at the people who already know you.

Pull lists of:

· Lapsed donors

· Event attendees who never gave

· Volunteers who have not donated

· Newsletter subscribers who engage regularly

· Former board members

· Peer-to-peer fundraisers

· People who gave once and never heard anything meaningful again

These people are not cold prospects. They already know something about your organization. That gives you a starting point, and in fundraising, a starting point is gold.

Create a reactivation plan before you launch another broad acquisition campaign. A personal message to a lapsed donor will often outperform a generic appeal to people who have never heard of you.

6. Use visibility as a donor acquisition tool

Visibility is not fluff. It is how people find you before they give.

Press coverage, podcast interviews, community presentations, LinkedIn posts, partner newsletters, local awards, speaking opportunities, and opinion pieces can all put your organization in front of new people. But visibility only becomes fundraising when you have a next step.

Every visibility opportunity should answer this question:

Where do interested people go next?

That next step could be joining your email list, attending an intro event, downloading a guide, volunteering, touring your program, or making a first gift. Do not let public attention float around with nowhere to land.

How to Keep the Donors You Worked So Hard to Find

Now for the part that quietly decides whether your fundraising grows or keeps starting over.

Retention is where the money lives. The 2026 CCS Philanthropy Pulse report found that nonprofits still identify donor acquisition and donor retention as major challenges. It also found that 69% of organizations use targeted digital communications to retain new donors. That tells us something important: nonprofits know retention matters, but many are still trying to figure out how to do it well.

Here is the simplest truth: donors do not leave because you failed to send enough appeals. They leave because they do not feel connected enough to say yes again.

The first gift is not the finish line

A first gift is a hand raised. It means the donor is interested. It does not mean they are loyal yet.

The 2026 Virtuous Nonprofit Benchmark Report found that 3 out of 4 first-time donors never make a second gift. In plain English, most new donors are not becoming repeat donors, which means the first 30 to 60 days after a gift matter more than many nonprofits realize.

That should make every fundraiser sit up straighter.

The most important donor journey in your organization may be the path from gift one to gift two.

If you improve that one thing, you strengthen the entire pipeline. You reduce churn. You increase lifetime value. You make acquisition worth the effort.

Build a first 90 days donor welcome system

The first 90 days after a gift should not be improvised. New donors should receive a simple, warm, human welcome sequence that tells them they made a good decision.

At minimum, build this:

· Within 48 hours: Send a personal thank-you from a real person. Not just a receipt.

· Within 7 days: Share one specific thing their gift helps make possible.

· Within 30 days: Send a short impact story or program update.

· Within 60 days: Invite them to take a low-pressure next step, such as a tour, event, volunteer opportunity, or behind-the-scenes update.

· Within 90 days: Make a meaningful second contact that is not only another ask.

This does not need to be fancy. Fancy is optional. Follow-up is not.

Write better thank-you messages

A donor thank-you should not sound like it was assembled by a committee trapped in a beige conference room.

Weak thank-you:

“Thank you for your generous donation. Your support helps us continue our mission.”

Better thank-you:

“Thank you for your $50 gift. Because of you, a family can receive the first hour of support they need instead of waiting alone and overwhelmed. We are grateful you chose to be part of this work.”

Specific wins. Human wins. Impact wins.

Create a stewardship calendar, not just an appeal calendar

Most nonprofits have an appeal calendar. Fewer have a stewardship calendar.

An appeal calendar asks, “When are we asking for money?”

A stewardship calendar asks, “How are we showing donors their gift mattered?”

Your stewardship calendar should include:

· Thank-you calls

· Impact emails

· Program updates

· Short videos or photos from the work

· Donor spotlights

· Behind-the-scenes notes

· Small gatherings

· Volunteer invitations

· Reports back after campaigns

· Personal check-ins with major and mid-level donors

If donors only hear from you when you need money, do not act shocked when they treat you like a bill. Relationships need more than invoices with feelings.

Segment donors so your follow-up makes sense

Not every donor should receive the same communication.

Start with simple segments:

· First-time donors: welcome them and show immediate impact.

· Repeat donors: recognize their ongoing commitment.

· Monthly donors: remind them they are part of the dependable base that keeps the work moving.

· Mid-level donors: give them more personal attention before they drift away or before they are ready for a larger conversation.

· Lapsed donors: reconnect with humility, not guilt.

· Major donors: provide personal, strategic updates and meaningful access to leadership.

Segmentation does not have to be complicated. It just has to be more thoughtful than blasting everyone with the same “Dear Friend” email and hoping nobody notices.

Make monthly giving easier to choose

If recurring giving is buried on your donation page, you are making donors work too hard.

Monthly giving helps retention because it turns one-time generosity into an ongoing relationship. It also gives your organization more predictable revenue, which means you can spend less time scrambling for the next appeal and more time building real donor loyalty.

Make monthly giving visible. Give it a name if that fits your brand. Explain what monthly gifts make possible. Offer realistic amounts.Thank monthly donors differently. Report back to them regularly.

Do not treat monthly donors like small donors. Treat them like reliable donors. There is a difference.

What to Stop Doing

Some donor acquisition and retention advice sounds good but does not hold up. Here is what I would cut.

· Stop chasing new donors before you know your retention rate.

· Stop treating the donation receipt as the thank-you.

· Stop asking board members to “fundraise” without giving them a specific action.

· Stop hosting events without a follow-up plan.

· Stop ignoring the guests at sponsor tables.

· Stop sending the same message to every donor.

· Stop assuming donors remember why they gave. Remind them.

The Simple Donor Pipeline Every Nonprofit Needs

If you want to make this manageable, build the pipeline in five stages:

1. Visibility: New people hear about your work.

2. Invitation: They are invited to take a low-pressure next step.

3. Connection: Someone follows up personally.

4. First gift: They are asked clearly and given an easy way to give.

5. Retention: They are thanked, shown impact, and invited deeper.

That is the system. Not complicated. Not easy either, because consistency is where good intentions go to be tested.

But once this is documented, assigned, and measured, fundraising starts to feel less chaotic. You stop reinventing the wheel every quarter. You stop treating every appeal like an emergency. You start building something that can actually grow.

Before You Spend Another Dollar on Acquisition

Calculate your donor retention rate.

Here is the formula:

Donors who gave both last year and this year ÷ donors who gave last year × 100 = donor retention rate

Then calculate your first-to-second gift conversion rate. That number may be even more important if you are actively bringing in new donors.

If your retention rate is weak, do not panic. Fix the system: thank faster, follow up better, segment smarter, and show impact more often.

New donors matter. But keeping donors is how fundraising becomes sustainable.

Your donors came to you because they believed something good could happen through your organization. Your job is to prove them right.

Build the pipeline. Fix the follow-up. Keep the people you worked so hard to earn.

Free Resource: Donor Pipeline Tracker This is not a replacement for your donor software. It is a simple planning tool your team can use before the next appeal, board meeting, or follow-up push.

Already have donor software? Use this tracker to step back, look at the bigger picture, and quickly identify who needs attention right now.

Do not have donor software yet? Use this as a starting point to organize your warm prospects, board introductions, first-time donors, follow-up steps, pipeline stage, status, priority, source, and relationship owner.

Because knowing who is in your pipeline is not enough. Someone still has to move the relationship forward. Download it HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do nonprofits find new donors?

Nonprofits find new donors by building visibility, using board and donor introductions, hosting low-pressure introductory events,following up with event guests, reactivating warm contacts, and making it easy for interested people to take a first step. The key is having a documented pipeline, not a pile of random tactics.

What is donor acquisition?

Donor acquisition is the process of finding people who may care about your mission, building trust with them, and inviting them to make a first gift. Strong acquisition includes visibility, personal introductions, clear messaging, follow-up, and an easy giving experience.

What is a good nonprofit donor retention rate?

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project reported in April 2026 that overall retention edged up from 43.1% to 43.3%. A retention rate above that benchmark is better than average, but the real goal is steady improvement, especially with first-time donors.

Why do so many first-time donors not give again?

Many first-time donors do not give again because the organization does not follow up in a meaningful way. A receipt is not enough. Donors need a prompt thank-you, a clear impact update, and a reason to feel connected before the next ask arrives.

How quickly should nonprofits thank donors?

As quickly as possible. A donor should receive an automatic receipt immediately, but that should be followed by a personal thank-you from areal person. For first-time, mid-level, and major donors, faster and more personal follow-up can make a major difference.

How can nonprofit board members help find new donors?

Board members can help by making introductions, bringing guests to no-ask events, hosting small gatherings, thanking donors, sharing campaigns with personal notes, and helping identify people in their networks who may care about the mission. The ask must be specific and supported by staff.

Is donor acquisition or donor retention more important?

Both matter. But if donors are leaving quickly, acquisition alone will not solve the problem. Nonprofits need to bring new people in and build a stewardship system that keeps them connected after the first gift.

How do nonprofits keep donors longer?

Nonprofits keep donors longer by thanking them quickly, showing impact clearly, communicating consistently between appeals, segmenting messages, inviting donors into the work, and making them feel like partners rather than transactions.

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Nonprofit Funding Opportunities For General Operating Support

Nonprofit Weekly Grant Roundup – This week we’re focusing on funding for general operating support. Every week, we gather the latest grant opportunities so you don’t have to. Whether you're looking for funding for programs, operations, or special projects, this list is designed to help you stay on top of what’s available.

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

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Roy A. Hunt Foundation

Supports organizations working to improve quality of life through general operating support and direct service programs.

Deadline: August 3, 2026

https://rahuntfdn.org/general/

(If you can't access the site, please copy and paste the link in a separate tab or different browser.)

Singing for Change Charitable Foundation

Provides $1,000 to $10,000 in operating support to nonprofits helping underserved individuals and families overcome barriers to education, employment, and economic stability through programs that promote long-term self-sufficiency and community empowerment.

Rolling Deadline

https://www.singingforchange.org/guidelines

Wallace Foundation

Focuses on the arts, education, and community development, providing operational funding to support nonprofits to develop their capacity and leadership.

Rolling Deadline

https://www.wallacefoundation.org/

Kresge Foundation

Provides general operating grants in sectors including health, arts, education, and human services. Focuses on nonprofits helping build equitable communities.

Rolling Deadline

https://kresge.org/

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Supports communities, children, and families as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success. Funding priorities include programs focused on thriving children, working families, and building equitable communities. Submit letter of inquiry.

Rolling Deadline

www.wkkf.org

William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The Foundation supports nonprofits working to drive systemic change in the areas of education, the environment, and global development.

Rolling Deadline

https://hewlett.org/

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

National Grassroots Organizing Program offers unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the U.S. The Foundation funds organizations working to confront social and environmental injustice by empowering those most directly impacted to lead meaningful change.

Deadline: February 2027 (check website for updates; the 2026 deadline has passed)

https://benandjerrysfoundation.org/national-grants/

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Grant Funding Opportunities: Programs For Children And Youth

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is accepting applications for Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards which aim to help fill the funding gap in the under-resourced children’s mental health sector. The goal is to connect nonprofits with funders to match much-needed capital with innovative projects in the field of mental healthcare for children and youth. Grants available to nonprofits with annual total revenue under $5 million.

Deadline: July 7, 2025

https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/giving-back/childrens-mental-health-awards-faqs

Born This Way Foundation

The Foundation’s Kindness in Community Fund provides grants to community-led, youth-focused nonprofits and others supporting mental health.

Deadline: June 30, 2025

https://bornthisway.foundation/kic/

Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood

The Foundation is providing seed money to implement imaginative proposals that exhibit the greatest chance of improving the lives of young children, from infancy to 7 years, on a national scale. Areas of support include parenting education, early childhood welfare, and early childhood education and play. Submit Letter of Inquiry online.

Deadline: September 30, 2025

https://earlychildhoodfoundation.org/#application-process

Kars4Kids

Kars4Kids is supporting educational initiatives around the country from nonprofits whose work is impacting children. This grant program reaches more diverse populations by lending support to local charities doing great work for children in their communities. Focus areas include youth development, mentorship, and education. Previous grantees include Girls on the Run, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Treasures 4 Teachers, and many more.

No Deadline

https://www.kars4kidsgrants.org/

NBA Foundation

The Foundation’s Grant Program is supporting organizations that provide skills training, mentorship, professional coaching, and pipeline development to foster employment and career advancement for under-resourced youth ages 14-24.

Applications accepted October 1 to November 14, 2025

https://nbafoundation.nba.com/grants/

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The Foundation supports communities, children, and families as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success. Funding priorities include programs focused on thriving children, working families, and building equitable communities. Submit letter of inquiry.

No Deadline

www.wkkf.org

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How Nonprofits Can Adapt and Stay Resilient In Uncertain Times

Read Time

Leadership

Fundraising

Late last week, I picked up the phone to a familiar voice, a nonprofit leader I’ve worked with for years. But this call didn’t start with the usual hello. It started with panic. Frustration. Defeat. And a glimmer of hope, all rolled into one shaky sentence.

Their organization is currently owed three-quarters of a million dollars under a government contract. The work has been done. The reports have been submitted. But the money? Completely stalled. And from what they’re hearing, it may never come. These are funds promised before the 2024 election, and now, they’re evaporating.

Sound familiar?

If your nonprofit is watching funding dry up, contracts hang in limbo, and political winds blow in directions you never anticipated, you’re not alone. The ground has shifted for many of us. And while there’s no magic fix, there are practical, proactive steps you can take right now.

Let’s talk about it.

Step One: Name the Reality

We are in a moment of funding uncertainty. Period. Federal and state budgets are being reevaluated. Priorities are shifting. And organizations that rely on government support, especially those doing work in justice, equity and community health, are feeling the squeeze.

Your first step? Get clear. Get honest. Don’t sugarcoat what’s happening. Because you can’t plan your way out of a storm until you admit there’s thunder.

Key Questions for Nonprofit Leaders

If you’re navigating this mess, take a breath and ask yourself:

What is our mission and what values do we refuse to compromise?
How will these cuts impact our programs and people?
Is our board ready to engage more deeply and advocate on our behalf?
Have we talked with our top donors to bring them into the conversation?
Can we back up our concerns with both data and story?

Not every nonprofit will respond the same way. Some may rally their communities with bold advocacy. Others may quietly shift messaging to preserve services. There’s no one right answer — but there is a right-for-you answer.

Messaging in the Middle of the Storm

As a person, my gut says, “Grab the megaphone. Let’s fight.”
As a nonprofit leader? I know it’s not that simple.

If your organization provides critical services like housing, mental health support, or domestic violence intervention, your mission is to keep those doors open, even if it means softening your language publicly while staying true to your values behind the scenes.

This isn’t selling out. It’s strategy. It’s survival. And it’s ok.

8 Practical Steps to Stay Steady Right Now

Whether you are riding the wave or building a raft, these tried-and-true strategies can help you stay grounded:

1. Center your mission.
Make sure every single piece of communication points back to why you exist.

2. Tell better stories.
Funders want to see outcomes. But they also want to feel them. Use real voices from the communities you serve.

3. Strengthen your marketing.
Now is not the time to go quiet. Use your website, social media, email and earned media to stay visible.

4. Show up on social.
Go beyond posting. Engage. Thank donors. Comment back. Share behind-the-scenes content. Be real.

5. Nurture your donors.
This is your moment to over communicate with the folks who already believe in you. Keep them close.

6. Ramp up fundraising.
Do not freeze. Test new appeals. Talk to lapsed donors. Run a mini campaign. Take action. Develop a nonprofit fundraising plan.

7. Diversify income.
Think corporate sponsors. Think monthly giving. Think earned revenue if it fits your model.

8. Keep your people aligned.
Make sure staff and board understand what’s happening and are rowing in the same direction. Have them undergo nonprofit board training if you must.

Take the Long View, Too

Once the immediate scramble is addressed, start looking ahead. This is not the last storm. So prepare now.

Create a crisis communications plan.
Know what you’ll say if another contract pauses or a funder pulls out.

Fix your online presence.
Make donating easy. Make your impact obvious. Make sure people know how to help.

Update your nonprofit directory profiles.
No more stale data on Candid or Charity Navigator. These platforms matter more than you think.

Get professional PR and messaging support.
When the world is loud, your message has to be smart, strong and clear. Invest in support if you can.

Re-evaluate your marketing budget.
Yes, even now. Visibility builds trust. Trust attracts support.

We’re All Feeling This

And it’s not just professional. It’s deeply personal.

For so many of us, our work is tied to our identity. So when funding is yanked, or priorities shift in ways that threaten the very heart of what we do, it hurts. It shakes us. It can feel like an attack on everything we’ve built , and everything we believe in.

So here’s your permission slip: feel it.
And then, rally. Not just for your organization. But for each other.

Pick up the phone when another nonprofit leader calls. Share what’s working. Offer your playbook. Be the kind of support you wish someone had been for you last week.

We’ll weather this storm like we always do...with purpose, persistence, and a little bit of nonprofit magic.

Need help building a response strategy or reshaping your messaging?
Success For Nonprofits is here. We’ve got tools, trainings, nonprofit development plans, and real talk to help you move forward. Reach out if you need us.

Let’s keep doing the work that matters. Together.

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Should You Use AI for Grant Writing? Yes. But Let’s Talk About How.

Read Time

Fundraising

Grant Writing

Content Marketing

Artificial Intelligence

Raise your hand if you’ve ever opened a blank Word doc to start a grant proposal and immediately decided to reorganize your sock drawer instead. We get it. Grant writing is one of the most necessary but mentally draining parts of nonprofit work.

Now AI is everywhere, promising to write your proposals faster than you can say “restricted funds.” So the question is not just can you use AI for nonprofit grant writing. The question is how do you use it well without losing your message, your mission, or your mind?

Let’s dig in.

What AI Can Actually Do for Grant Writers

AI is not a miracle. It cannot understand your community’s unique challenges or the heart behind your programs. But it can handle the stuff that bogs you down. Here's how smart nonprofits are using AI today:

Writing first drafts of grant sections like mission statements, program descriptions, and community needs
Summarizing long grant guidelines so you know what a funder really wants
Brainstorming answers to repetitive application questions
Editing for clarity, tone, and structure
Rewriting content to fit a new grant with different word counts or formatting

If you have ever spent 90 minutes trying to find a more impressive way to say “we help people,” AI can help with that.

What AI Cannot Do

Let’s be clear. AI does not know your organization. It does not know what keeps your clients up at night. It does not know what makes your team special. That means AI cannot:

Tell your impact story with any real emotion
Build trust with a funder
Strategically align your ask with a funder’s priorities
Replace your judgment, your voice, or your nonprofit brain

So please do not let ChatGPT write and submit your grant proposal without you.

Using AI Well: A Success For Nonprofits Strategy

If you want to use AI the right way, here is your step-by-step:

Start with your real content
Feed the tool your mission, past grant language, or program summaries. AI needs raw material. Give it something to work with.
Use it for structure or improvement
Ask it to write a first draft or rewrite a section with a specific tone. For example, “Make this sound more persuasive” or “Cut this to 250 words.”
Layer in your voice and heart
Always go back and revise. Add real stories, data, and insights that only you have.
Fact-check and personalize
AI is confident and often wrong. Review everything before you hit submit.
Keep your funder in mind
If it sounds like it could have come from anyone, it is not ready yet. Make sure it clearly speaks to that funder’s goals and values.

Our Take at Success For Nonprofits

We love tools that make nonprofit life easier. But we also know that people give to people. Funders invest in relationships, trust, and the real human work behind your mission. AI can save time. It can spark ideas. It can make a painful writing day a little smoother.

But AI will never replace your experience or your insight. That is your superpower!

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Stability in Uncertain Times: Why Every Nonprofit Needs a Monthly Giving Program

Read Time

Fundraising

The headlines may change every hour, but your mission deserves a funding stream that doesn’t.

Between economic shifts, global challenges, and whatever curveball the news cycle throws next, it’s getting harder for nonprofits to plan ahead. Donors are pulled in a dozen directions. Funding sources are shifting. And your mission still needs to move forward.

So how do you keep your footing when everything else feels wobbly?

You build consistency. And one of the most powerful ways to do that is through monthly giving.

Monthly Giving Isn’t Flashy. It’s Foundational.

This isn’t about chasing trends. This is about stability. Monthly giving helps you create a reliable stream of support that keeps your work going, no matter what’s happening in the world.

It’s not just convenient for you. Donors love it too. Monthly donors are more committed, they give more over time, and they stay with you longer. It’s a win-win.

Why It Works

When you have a monthly giving program that runs like a well-oiled machine, you gain:

Steady income you can actually count on
A donor base that sticks with you year after year
Less stress about hitting your goals in December
More time to focus on impact instead of survival

It’s a strategy that reduces panic and increases planning. And that’s something every nonprofit needs more of right now.

How to Start Without Overhauling Everything

You don’t need a complicated rollout. You need a message that speaks to the moment. Something simple and heartfelt like:

“In times like these, dependable support means everything. Will you join our community of monthly donors and help us keep going strong?”

Make your donation form easy to use. Default to monthly giving. Create a thank-you flow that feels personal. And follow up regularly with quick updates about the impact those monthly gifts are making.

This Is About More Than Revenue

Yes, monthly giving helps your bottom line. But it also builds community. It brings people closer to your work. It gives donors a way to feel like they’re making a difference, even when the world feels uncertain.

And let’s face it. Consistency is comforting.

So if you’ve been putting off launching a monthly giving program, now is the time. Not because it’s urgent. But because it’s smart.

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How To Find The Right Grants (Without Losing Your Mind)

Read Time

Grant Writing

Fundraising

Nonprofit Tech Stack

A No-Fluff Guide to Grant Research That Won’t Make You Cry In Your Coffee

If you’ve worked in the nonprofit world for more than five minutes, you’ve no doubt heard someone’s great idea for funding: “Let’s just get a grant to pay for it!”

Sure, sounds easy enough… until the responsibility of finding that magical grant lands squarely in your lap.

Whether you’ve spent hours down the Google rabbit hole searching for funders or you’re staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to be a pro researcher to find solid grant opportunities.

What you do need is a strategy, and a few tips on where to look. The goal isn’t to chase every dollar, it’s to find funders who actually want to support the kind of work your nonprofit does.

And that? That’s totally doable.

It might sound daunting, but with a few smart tips and tools, you’ll be uncovering potential funders faster, and with less frustration. Let’s dive into how to find the right grants without burning out.

Tip #1: Get Clear On What You Really Need (Before You Start Searching)

Before you jump into the world of grant research, take a step back and get clear on what you actually need funding for. Are you launching a new program? Expanding an existing service? Supporting work with a specific population, like youth or older adults?

Grants aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some fund programs, others fund capital projects, and many are targeted to specific issues or communities. That’s why it’s crucial to know your own goals before you start searching. Don’t just wing it. Write your needs down. Be specific.

Once you start exploring potential funders, check their eligibility requirements and funding priorities. Do they align with what you’re doing? If yes, great! Dig a little deeper into their application guidelines and make sure you can meet all the criteria.

One of the best ways to narrow your focus is to start small by targeting local funders. Tackling large government grants or national corporate requests can be overwhelming if you’re new to grant applications. Smaller local grants are often easier to achieve and less time-consuming, making them a smart place to get your foot in the door.

Local foundations and corporations often understand your community and its needs, and they may already know your nonprofit. Building relationships with these funders helps you establish a history of grant success, which can open doors to bigger opportunities later.

Getting clear on your needs will save you hours chasing the wrong leads and gives you a much better shot at finding the right match.

Tip #2: Work Smarter With Online Tools

Save yourself time by leaning on online tools to guide your grant search. Start with good old Google. Use specific keywords based on your goals and try the “advanced search” feature to narrow topics and limit your results even further.

Check free government sites like grants.gov and your city or state’s official pages. Grants.gov alone lists thousands of federal grants, many perfect for small nonprofits. Again, that search feature with key words will help narrow your search and save you from poring through thousands of opportunities.

See if your local library or nonprofit association partners offer free access to subscription-based databases like Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation, GrantWatch, Grant Gopher, or any of the many other paid databases that provide detailed information on funders. You can narrow by areas of interest, type of grant maker, types of support, geographic location, and other terms. Purchasing these databases may be expensive, so finding free access is a great way to get started.

Signing up for grant newsletters which provide ongoing lists of available grants is another great way to stay on top of current opportunities without hunting for them yourself.

And here’s a tip: don’t just stop at the basic search results. Go beyond the surface. Look at who’s funding nonprofits in your community and in your field. For example, if you’re a small arts group, check which local arts organizations are getting grants.

Community foundations are also great sources of support. They are often less competitive and really focused on local impact, so they’re worth a look.

Big retailers like Walmart also run local grant programs that fund neighborhood projects, another good place to explore.

Don’t forget about Google Ad Grants, either. If you qualify, Google will give you up to $10,000 a month in free search advertising. Think of the visibility boost that could bring without spending a dime!

Finally, pay attention to past deadlines and grant cycles. Many funders repeat similar deadlines every year, especially government programs. If you spot a good fit but missed this year’s deadline, mark your calendar and be ready to apply next time around.

Starting local and combining these tools with some thoughtful digging will help you find better matches faster, and set you up for success.

Tip #3: Keep Track – Don’t Let Leads Slip Away

Stay organized so you don’t lose valuable leads. Develop a system to track your research and follow-ups.

Here’s how:

Log key info—record funder names, deadlines, requirements, and contact info.
Use a spreadsheet—an Excel or Google Sheet works well for most organizations.
Explore tools—consider grant tracking software if you want more features.
Stay current—update your list regularly with new leads and status updates.
Review often—revisit your list to prioritize strong matches and plan ahead.

A well-kept list can reveal more good opportunities than you expect.

The bottom line is that grant making is match making. It all starts with focused research, finding the funders whose goals align with yours and who are most likely to support your mission.

The key is having a clear strategy, knowing what you need, and targeting your efforts wisely. By following these steps, you’ll quickly identify the best funding matches for your nonprofit.

Then, when someone says, “Let’s get a grant for that new program,” you won’t have to lose your mind or cry in your coffee. You’ll already know where to go, and how to get that money.

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Ready to stop guessing and start winning grants? Download our free grant-writing checklist below and write your best proposal yet!

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Nonprofit Funding Opportunities For Mental Health Programs

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

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Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation

The Foundation is supporting local nonprofits serving the mental health of those in need, including increasing awareness and education, improving access to care, and building protective factors.

Deadline: July 1, 2025

https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/c/content/saks-foundation

Maude’s Ventures

Nonprofits with innovative ideas for dementia care that are new, scalable, and in need of early funding are invited to apply for the Maude’s Ventures Funding Program.

Deadline: July 7, 2025

https://maudesventures.org/apply-coming-soon/

U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation

The Foundation’s Program Grants help disadvantaged individuals, improve the quality of people’s lives, and strengthen our communities. The Foundation supports the following areas: psychological health and addiction, physical health, family support and social connectedness, and others.

Deadline: July 25, 2025

https://www.usventure.com/giving-back/us-venture-schmidt-family-foundation/program-grants/

J.W. Couch Foundation

The Foundation supports U.S. nonprofits for programs to combat various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bi-polar, PTSD, and more. Other funding areas available.

Deadline: September 26, 2025

https://jwcouchfoundation.org/apply

Howe Foundation

The Foundation’s Grant Program makes contributions to charitable organizations whose principal purposes are in the areas of education, health, or medical advancements.

Deadline: August 1, 2025

https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/howe-foundation/

DWF Foundation

Foundation grants provide funds, resources and mentoring support to help individuals, groups and communities achieve their full potential. Areas of support for nonprofits include Health and Wellbeing, Education, Homelessness, Employability, and more.

Deadline: September 30, 2025

https://dwfgroup.com/about-us/dwf-foundation

(Some browsers may require you to copy and paste the link in another tab)

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Grant Funding Opportunities For Environment And Climate Change

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

‍

Burroughs Wellcome Fund

The Fund’s Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants Program promotes growth of new connections between scholars, practitioners, educators, and/or communicators working to understand, spread the word about, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health. Applications must be submitted by nonprofits or degree-granting institutions.

Deadline: July 24, 2025

https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/climate-change-and-human-health/climate-change-and-human-health-seed-grants/

Clif Family Foundation

The Foundation’s Grants Program supports general operating costs or specific projects. Priorities for funding: healthy food access, climate justice, environment, regenerative and organic farming, food production, workers’ health and safety, among others.

Deadline: August 1, 2025

https://cliffamilyfoundation.org/grants-program

Earth Rising Foundation

The Foundation’s Funding Program promotes bold, bottom-up action on climate change. Focus areas include indigenous voices, regenerative agriculture, climate intersections, sustainable visions, and youth activism.

Deadline: June 30, 2025

https://earthrisingfoundation.org/apply

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The USDA and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) offer the Regional Food System Partnerships grant program to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local and regional food systems. Partners may include nonprofits.

Deadline: June 27, 2025

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358904

TC Energy

TC Energy is accepting applications for its Social Impact Program in focus areas including: safety, education, environment, and resilient communities.

Deadline: November 7, 2025

https://www.tcenergy.com/community-giving/apply-for-funding/

Quadratec

Quadratec Cares ‘Energize the Environment’ Grant Program supports nonprofit programs or initiatives to benefit our environment, including trail improvements, litter prevention, park beautification, community environmental efforts, and more.

Next deadline: June 30, 2025

https://www.quadratec.com/page/quadratec-cares-grant-program

New Earth Foundation

The Foundation funds innovative projects that enhance life on the planet, including environmental initiatives working to help eliminate pollution and to save ecosystems, community efforts that create models of social sustainability, and more.

Deadline: July 1, 2025

https://www.newearthfoundation.org/apply.html

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Nonprofit Funding Opportunities For Arts And Humanities

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

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National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

The NEH is accepting applications for the Public Impact Projects Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Program. This program supports cultural nonprofits in creating and developing public programs that celebrate the people, events, ideas, and legacies related to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Deadline: July 9, 2025

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355125

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

The Foundation’s grant program supports nonprofits for which a relatively small amount of funding might make a large difference. The Foundation supports museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational and skills-training programs; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Deadline: November 10, 2025

https://www.mvdreyfusfoundation.org/

Hearst Foundations

The Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. Focus fields include culture, education, health, and social service.

No deadlines

https://www.hearstfdn.org/faq

ProLiteracy

ProLiteracy is seeking applications for its Literacy Opportunity Fund to meet the needs of U.S. nonprofits that are doing direct work with adult students. Funded by the Nora Roberts Foundation.

Upcoming quarterly deadlines: July 1 and October 1, 2025

https://www.proliteracy.org/Literacy-Opportunity-Fund

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

The NEH is accepting applications for the Preservation and Access Education and Training Grant Program. This program supports training that develops knowledge and skills among professionals responsible for preserving and establishing access to humanities collections.

Deadline: June 17, 2025

https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-and-access-education-and-training

Barnes & Noble Charitable Donations Program

Barnes & Noble, a bookstore chain with stores throughout the U.S., supports nonprofits that focus on literacy, the arts, or education (pre-K-12), at both local and national levels. The company also funds sponsorship opportunities with organizations that focus on higher learning, literacy, and the arts. Barnes & Noble funds nonprofits in communities with company stores.

No Deadline

https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/about-bn/sponsorships-charitable-donations/

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Grant Funding Opportunities For Women and Diversity

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

‍

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women has launched the Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program to support a comprehensive approach to addressing abuse in later life, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm committed against victims who are 50 years of age or older. Nonprofits eligible to apply.

Deadline: July 8, 2025

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/359053

Together Women Rise

Through the Featured Grants Program, Together Women Rise provides funding to organizations that empower and support women and girls in low-income and marginalized communities in the Global South.

Deadline: June 6, 2025

https://togetherwomenrise.org/featured-grant-guidelines/

Good Relatives Collaborative

The grants program supports the development of new and exploring Native-led and serving organizations who need guidance in their stage of growth. The program also supports more established and mature Native-led and serving organizations through their ongoing growth and encourage sharing of knowledge and wisdom.

Deadline: June 16, 2025

https://goodrelativescollaborative.org/grants-opportunities/good-relatives-collaborative-grants/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKRB7NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzeE5iOVlNYkNhaDJiU2laAR6Xj4pkBgxCxTz1X-1sAvXy3VbJWam4MjJV8jUV6NOgUvfJAvGYMtBjrdLzeQ_aem_Lee1VRQMPpwZor9SRSWA8g

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)

The OVW Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program funds programs that provide transitional housing and support services for victims who are homeless or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance as a result of a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Deadline: June 9, 2025

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358846

Black Migrant Power Fund

The Fund is a new grant making fund focused on supporting and building power with Black trans and gender non-conforming migrants in the U.S.

Deadline: June 13, 2025

https://portal.justfund.us/p/rfps/b9f4fa68-90e1-4ff8-9e2b-458380d9b7f1

Hanger Foundation

The Foundation supports nonprofits that directly and positively impact people with physical challenges in need in the U.S. that fit within their focus areas, including rehabilitation and support services for trauma, and athletic programs, social activities, and events for individuals with physical challenges.

Deadline: June 9, 2025

https://hangerfoundation.org/impact/grants/

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)

The OVW is accepting applications for the Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program. The Rural Program enhances the safety of rural victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking by supporting projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural areas.

Deadline: July 8, 2025

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/358847

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7 Ways Strategic Planning Supercharges Fundraising

Read Time

Fundraising

Strategic Planning

Too many nonprofit leaders treat strategic planning like flossing, something they know they should do but somehow never get around to. The truth? A well-done strategic plan isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a powerhouse tool that can clarify your direction, fire up your team, and make fundraising a heck of a lot easier (and more successful).

Here are seven ways strategic planning can level-up your fundraising game, and how to get the most out of the process.

1. Prioritize What Actually Needs Funding

There’s nothing more chaotic than a fundraising team with no clear roadmap. You’ve got board members tossing out shiny new project ideas with zero budget, program staff lobbying for their own needs, and someone trying to pitch a “game-changing” new initiative that isn’t even real yet. Sound familiar?

A solid strategic developoment plan for nonprofits puts the brakes on this madness. It brings everyone together to co-create a shared vision and, more importantly, to prioritize what you’re raising money for and why. Once that’s clear, your fundraising team can stop chasing the shiny squirrels and start raising money with focus and confidence.

2. Design Programs Worth Funding

Donors are smart. They want to fund programs that deliver actual results, not just busywork in a pretty brochure. Strategic fundraising planning for nonpprofits forces you to step back and evaluate: Which programs are really moving the needle? Which are just...moving?

This process gives you the space to fine-tune or even overhaul your offerings so that everything you’re running aligns with your mission, delivers impact, and is fundraising-friendly. Strong programs = stronger case for support. Simple math.

3. Strengthen Operations That Support Fundraising

You can't raise major gifts on a foundation of chaos. If your database is a mess, your systems are duct-taped together, and no one knows where the latest donor report lives, you’re not set up for success.

Strategic planning shines a light on those internal operational gaps that are silently sabotaging your fundraising. It gives you the green light (and the plan!) to invest in infrastructure, like better donor management software, stronger reporting tools, and staff training, that makes fundraisers’ lives easier and donors more confident in your professionalism.

4. Get Your Board and Staff Aligned Around Fundraising

Fundraising is a team sport. If your development staff are working in a vacuum, you're leaving money on the table and probably burning them out.

A strong strategic planning process brings your board, staff, and leadership team into alignment around your mission, goals, and the role fundraising plays in achieving them. When everyone buys in, you can tap into your whole team for donor cultivation, outreach, and storytelling. Suddenly, it’s not just the development director asking for money, it’s a full-court press.

5. Cut Grant Writing and Pitch Time in Half

If you’ve ever found yourself rewriting the same mission paragraph for the 47th time, this one’s for you.

Strategic plans are gold mines when it comes to creating grant templates and donor pitch decks. Your vision, goals, and program strategy are all baked in saving your team hours of scrambling to piece things together from scattered documents and conflicting narratives. With a well-crafted plan, you can copy, paste, tweak, and hit send. Efficiency for the win.

6. Create a Culture of Accountability

We’ve all seen beautiful fundraising plans for nonprofits that go straight into a drawer and stay there until the next five-year cycle rolls around. That’s not the goal.

The real magic happens when strategic planning leads to clear, measurable goals and a developoment plan to actually track them. With an eye on implementation, your team knows what success looks like, how they’re progressing, and where they need to adjust. This kind of accountability is a gift for fundraisers. It gives them the data and confidence they need to report outcomes to funders and show that your nonprofit delivers.

7. Future-Proof Your Fundraising

Strategic planning isn’t just about fixing what’s broken today, it’s about setting your organization up to thrive tomorrow.

By scanning the landscape, exploring emerging trends, and thinking long-term, you’ll position your organization to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s diversifying revenue streams, experimenting with digital campaigns, or building a planned giving program, a strategic plan gives your fundraising team a roadmap for what’s next so they’re not just reacting to change but leading it.

Tips for Making Strategic Planning Count

Now that we’ve made the case, here are some quick tips to get the most out of your planning process:

Focus on the process, not just the paper. The magic happens during the conversations, not in the final PDF.
Invite fundraisers to the table. They bring critical insights on donor expectations, data realities, and revenue trends.
Get perspectives from every level. Program staff, board members, volunteers, and even clients can help shape a more grounded, relevant plan.
Be brave enough to kill your darlings. If something’s not working—even if you love it—it might be time to pivot.
Plan for implementation. Build in checkpoints, align department goals, and make sure the plan actually gets used.

Strategic fundraising planning for nonprofits doesn’t have to be a dusty, painful process. Done right, it’s energizing, clarifying, and transformational, especially when it comes to fundraising. If you’re ready to raise more, stress less, and finally get everyone rowing in the same direction, this is the move. Your fundraisers will thank you. So will your bank account.

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Want more actionable strategies? Download the board diagnostics and development fundraising plan template below!

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Fixing a Dysfunctional Nonprofit Board

Read Time

Board Members

Leadership

Let’s just call it like it is: nonprofit boards can be glorious, maddening, mission-saving, or mission-sinking sometimes all in the same quarter.

You’ve got the micromanager who rewrites staff reports at midnight.
The ghoster who hasn’t shown up since the “Welcome!” email.
And the well-meaning cheerleader who claps for everything… but never lifts a finger.

Sound familiar?

If your board is more “chaotic neutral” than “governance dream team,” you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Dysfunction doesn’t mean defeat. It means it’s time for a reset.

Here’s how.

Step 1: Define the Actual Job

Be honest: have you really told your board what you expect from them?

If you’re hoping they’ll fundraise, attend every event, read the financials, and serve as a strategic brain trust—have you said that out loud? In writing?

Start with a clear, no-fluff board member job description. Include expectations like:

Attend X% of meetings
Make a personal financial contribution (whatever “meaningful” means to your org)
Participate on at least one committee
Support fundraising in specific, bite-sized ways (calls, intros, thank-you notes)
Act as an ambassador in the community

No more vague “support the mission” language. Be specific. Then share it with every current board member. Yes, even that one.

Step 2: Assess the Current Reality (Gently)

Now that the job is clear… how’s everyone doing?

Use a nonprofit board self-assessment tool to let folks reflect on their engagement anonymously. Ask things like:

Do you feel clear on your role and responsibilities?
Are board meetings productive?
Do you feel your skills are being used?
Are you comfortable speaking up?

You may be shocked by how many people are frustrated, but don’t know how to say it. Or think you should just be grateful they’re there.

Spoiler alert: you don’t have time to manage egos. You’re here to serve a mission.

Step 3: Reset the Culture, Not Just the People

This is the big one. Dysfunction isn’t just about individuals, it’s about culture. And culture is what you allow to happen.

So, start fresh:

Name the reset: “We’re entering a new season as a board. Let’s revisit what we need from each other to thrive.”
Make meetings matter: Set intentional agendas, assign timekeepers, and keep reports brief. Use the bulk of your time for real conversation and decisions.
Celebrate progress: Did someone follow through on donor calls? Showed up to an event? Name it. Normalize engagement.
Enforce boundaries: Micromanaging staff? Politely redirect to the Executive Director. Missing three meetings in a row? Have the “Are you still interested?” conversation.

Step 4: Don’t Be Afraid of the Exit Door

Here’s a secret: your nonprofit deserves an engaged, aligned board. And not everyone fits that bill.

You are allowed to rotate people off. You are allowed to enforce term limits. You are allowed to ask the “sleeping” board members to step down gracefully so you can bring in new energy.

Say it with me: You are not stuck with your current board forever.

Final Thought: Dysfunction Is a Symptom, Not a Diagnosis

You don’t need to burn the whole board down and start over (though hey, sometimes…).
You just need clarity, communication, and a little courage.

So if your nonprofit board is feeling more Real Housewives than Harvard Business Review, take a breath.

Reset. Reengage. And remember, leadership isn’t always smooth. But with the right tools and a clear path forward, you can absolutely steer the ship.

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Grant Funding Opportunities for Equity and Diversity

Read Time

Grant Writing

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

‍

Impact Fund

The Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice.

Deadline: July 8, 2025

https://www.impactfund.org/about-legal-case-grants

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Foundation is requesting proposals for its Research to Advance Racial and Indigenous Health Equity to promote health equity and combat structural racism as the most fundamental barrier to health in America.

Deadline: July 16, 2025

https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/active-funding-opportunities/2025/research-to-advance-racial-and-indigenous-health-equity.html

Third Wave Fund

Applications are now open for the Mobilize Power Fund, a rapid response fund that resources gender justice organizations to adapt or pivot their work when met with unanticipated time-sensitive opportunities or threats to their movement building work and organizing conditions. Potential projects include healing justice work, conflict mediation/resolution, legal or bail fees, marches or rallies, leadership training and skills building, and more.

Deadline: July 1, 2025

https://www.thirdwavefund.org/mobilize-power-fund

AJ Muste Foundation for Peace and Justice

The Foundation’s Social Justice Fund supports grassroots activist projects in the US, giving priority to those with small budgets and little access to more mainstream funding sources. The Fund is especially interested in confronting institutionalized violence against racial, ethnic, gender-based, and LGBTQ communities, ending criminalization of immigrants, ending economic exploitation, and more.

Check Website – New Deadlines To Be Posted in Late May 2025

https://ajmuste.org/apply/sjf

Righteous Persons Foundation

The Foundation’s Grant Program supports efforts to build a vibrant, just, and inclusive Jewish community in the U.S. The Foundation is currently focused on projects that are national in scope and focus on the vibrancy, complexity, and diversity of Jewish life; build relationships across religious divides; and strengthen faith-rooted moral leadership and advance social justice.

Deadline: August 8, 2025

https://www.righteouspersons.org/letters-of-inquiry/

Russell Sage Foundation

The Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry under the core program for Social, Political, and Economic Inequality to support original research in the U.S. Areas of interest include economic wellbeing, equality of opportunity, climate change, natural disasters, and others.

Deadline Date: July 16, 2025

https://www.russellsage.org/research/funding/social-inequality

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Grant Opportunities For Education And Workforce Development

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

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Nasdaq Foundation

Focuses on expanding economic opportunity and financial empowerment in underserved communities through workforce development, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, investor education, and access to capital initiatives.

Deadline: Letters of Intent Due July 31, 2026

https://www.nasdaq.com/nasdaq-foundation

Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation

Supports a broad range of nonprofits working in areas such as education, healthcare, community development, environmental stewardship, peace, social justice, food security, and other charitable causes.

Deadline: October 31, 2026

https://dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/

Learning Disabilities Foundation

Supports charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes for the identification, ongoing evaluation, education of and services for adults (and children) with learning disabilities.

Deadline: September 15, 2026

https://www.ldfamerica.org/grant-guidelines.html

Spencer Foundation

The Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) Grants Program supports education research projects that engage in collaborative and participatory partnerships.

Deadline: July 10, 2026

https://www.spencer.org/grant_types/research-practice-partnerships

Health Resources and Services Administration

Rural Community Health Support Program strengthens healthcare access and improves health outcomes in rural communities through technical assistance for community-based organizations and rural health stakeholders.

Deadline: July 8, 2026

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361316

National Institutes of Health

Research Education Program supports educational activities that enhance research training and workforce development in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences through research-focused educational experiences.

Deadline: September 25, 2026

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361159

ProLiteracy

Literacy Opportunity Fund supports U.S. nonprofits that are doing direct work with adult students. Funded by the Nora Roberts Foundation; grants awarded quarterly.

Next Deadlines: July 1 and October 1, 2026

https://www.proliteracy.org/Literacy-Opportunity-Fund

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7 Fundraising Systems Every Nonprofit Needs to Raise Money More Consistently

If your nonprofit fundraising feels scattered, you are not alone.

A lot of organizations are trying to raise money with too few staff, too little time, and too many competing priorities.

So fundraising becomes reactive.

A campaign here.
An event there.
A donor email when someone remembers.
A board ask when things get uncomfortable.
A donation page that technically exists, but is not exactly inspiring anyone to whip out a credit card.

This is how good organizations end up stuck in fundraising chaos.

And let’s be clear: chaos is not a strategy.

In last week’s post, we talked about why nonprofit fundraising systems matter, especially when organizations are being asked to do more with less.

If you missed it, start here: Nonprofit Fundraising Is Getting Harder. Your Systems Need to Get Smarter.

That post was the wake-up call.

This one is the practical next step.

Because knowing you need better systems is one thing. Building them is where the real work begins. Here are seven fundraising systems every nonprofit needs to raise money more consistently. (Plus two FREE resources)

1. A simple fundraising calendar

A fundraising calendar is one of the easiest systems to create, and one of the easiest to ignore.

That is a mistake.

Your fundraising calendar should not just include event dates and grant deadlines.

It should show how your nonprofit will build relationships, communicate with donors, ask for support, and report impact throughout the year.

A strong fundraising calendar includes:

Appeal dates
Donor thank-you activities
Impact emails
Monthly giving promotions
Board fundraising actions
Sponsor outreach
Major donor meetings
Social media campaigns
Newsletter dates
Year-end fundraising
Lapsed donor follow-up
Donation page review dates

The goal is simple: stop letting fundraising sneak up on you.

You should not be surprised by your own appeal.

A fundraising calendar helps your organization move from “Oh no, we need money” to “Here is our plan for keeping supporters engaged all year.”

That shift matters.

Ready to stop winging it? Download the FREE Sample Fundraising Calendar for a homeless services nonprofit and see what a full year of intentional fundraising looks like. Then make it your own.

2. A donor thank-you system

If your donor thank-you process is basically “send the receipt and move on,” we need to talk.

A receipt is not a thank-you.

A receipt is proof that the transaction happened.

A real thank-you makes the donor feel seen, appreciated, and connected to the mission.

Your donor thank-you system should answer:

Who sends the thank-you?
How quickly does it go out?
What does the message say?
Does it feel personal?
Do first-time donors get special attention?
Do monthly donors get a different message?
Do larger gifts trigger a phone call?
Do board members help thank donors?
Does the donor understand what their gift made possible?

This does not have to be complicated.

But it does have to be intentional.

A simple system might look like this:

Gift received.
Receipt sent immediately.
Personal thank-you email within 48 hours.
Handwritten note for gifts over a certain amount.
Phone call for major gifts or first-time larger gifts.
Impact update within 30 to 60 days.

That is a system.

And it can make a big difference.

Because donors who feel appreciated are more likely to stay connected.

And donors who stay connected are more likely to give again.

3. A donor retention system

Donor retention is one of the most important fundraising systems your nonprofit can build.

Why?

Because if donors give once and disappear, your organization is constantly starting over.

That is exhausting.

And expensive.

A donor retention system helps you keep track of who gave, who gave again, who lapsed, and who needs follow-up.

Start with these questions:

How many donors gave last year?
How many gave again this year?
How many first-time donors made a second gift?
Which donors have not given in 12 months?
Which donors used to give more frequently?
Which monthly donors stopped giving?
Who needs a personal touch?

Then create a simple follow-up process.

For example:

Send a warm thank-you after every gift.
Send impact updates throughout the year.
Contact first-time donors within 30 days.
Reach out to lapsed donors before year-end.
Invite loyal donors into monthly giving.
Call long-time donors just to say thank you.

Not to ask.

To thank.

Radical, I know.

The point is to stop letting donors quietly drift away.

Your donors should not have to wonder whether their gift mattered.

Tell them.

Then tell them again.

4. A monthly giving system

Monthly giving is one of the most practical ways to create more predictable revenue.

It helps your donors give in a manageable way, and it helps your nonprofit plan with more confidence.

You do not need a giant monthly giving program to get started.

You need a simple invitation.

Your monthly giving system should include:

A clear monthly giving option on your donation page
A short explanation of why monthly gifts matter
Suggested monthly gift amounts
A welcome email for new monthly donors
Regular updates for monthly supporters
A plan to invite current donors to become monthly donors
A thank-you message that feels special

Do not overcomplicate this.

You can start by inviting your existing donors.

They already care about your mission. They already trust you enough to give. They are the best audience for this kind of invitation.

Your message can be simple:

“Monthly donors help us provide steady support all year long.”

Or:

“Your monthly gift helps us plan ahead, respond faster, and serve more people without starting from zero every month.”

Monthly giving is not just about convenience.

It is about consistency.

And consistency is exactly what many nonprofits need.

5. A board fundraising system

Many nonprofit leaders are frustrated because their board members are not helping with fundraising.

Fair.

But sometimes board members are not helping because they have no idea what “help with fundraising” actually means.

That phrase is too vague.

It sounds like you are asking them to walk into a room, shake a stranger’s hand, and come back with a $50,000 check.

No wonder people freeze.

Board fundraising works better when it is specific, realistic, and matched to different comfort levels.

Your board fundraising system should include clear options, such as:

Make a personal gift.
Thank donors.
Invite people to events.
Introduce staff to potential supporters.
Share campaign messages.
Identify possible sponsors.
Host a small gathering.
Call lapsed donors.
Tell the organization’s story in the community.

Not every board member has to do the same thing.

But every board member should do something.

The system is not “go fundraise.”

The system is:

Here are five ways board members can help this quarter.
Here is the script.
Here is the timeline.
Here is who is responsible.
Here is how staff will support you.
Here is how we will follow up.

That is how you turn board fundraising from vague guilt into actual action.

6. A better donation page system

Your donation page may be costing you money.

Not because your mission is weak.

Not because people do not care.

But because the page is confusing, hidden, outdated, slow, or emotionally flat.

People should not need a treasure map to give you money.

Your donation page should make giving easy.

Review your page and ask:

Is the donation button easy to find?
Does the page clearly explain why giving matters?
Is the form simple?
Does it work well on mobile?
Are monthly giving options easy to select?
Are suggested gift amounts helpful?
Does the page feel trustworthy?
Does the thank-you message feel warm?
Are there too many distractions?
Is the donor told what happens next?

If your donation page feels like an afterthought, fix it.

This is low-hanging fruit.

And unlike real fruit, it will not rot in the staff kitchen.

A good donation page does not need to be fancy.

It needs to be clear, easy, and emotionally connected to your mission.

7. An impact storytelling system

Donors need to see the difference their support makes.

Not just once a year.

Not just in the annual report.

Regularly.

An impact storytelling system helps your nonprofit collect and share stories throughout the year, so you are not scrambling when it is time to send an appeal.

Your system might include:

One client story per month
One donor impact story per month
One staff reflection per quarter
One volunteer story per quarter
One program win each month
One “because of you” email each month
One photo or quote from the field each week

You can also create a simple story bank.

Track:

Who was helped?
What changed?
What problem was solved?
What role did donors play?
What quote or detail makes the story feel human?
What photo or visual could support the story?
Do we have permission to share it?

This helps you avoid the dreaded blank screen when you need content.

And it helps donors understand that their giving matters.

Because fundraising is not just asking.

Fundraising is showing people the difference they can make.

Start with one system

Here is the important part.

Do not try to build all seven systems at once.

That is how you end up with a beautiful spreadsheet, fourteen tabs, and absolutely no progress.

Start with one.

If your donors are not being thanked well, start with the thank-you system.

If donors are not giving again, start with retention.

If your revenue feels unpredictable, start with monthly giving.

If your board is disengaged, start with board fundraising roles.

If people are clicking away before they donate, start with your donation page.

Pick the system that would make the biggest difference right now.

Build it.

Use it.

Improve it.

Then move to the next one.

That is how sustainable fundraising gets built.

Not through panic.

Not through perfection.

Through repeatable systems that make the work easier to manage and easier to sustain.

Not sure which system to tackle first? Download the FREE worksheet, "Which Fundraising System Should You Build First?" and score yourself on all seven systems in about five minutes, and let the numbers tell you where to start.

The bottom line

Nonprofit fundraising does not have to feel like constant chaos.

It will always take work.

It will always require relationships.

It will always require asking.

But it does not have to depend on last-minute scrambling, staff heroics, and board members who are vaguely “willing to help” but never actually do anything.

Your nonprofit can build better systems.

A fundraising calendar.
A donor thank-you system.
A donor retention system.
A monthly giving system.
A board fundraising system.
A donation page system.
An impact storytelling system.

None of these systems has to be perfect.

They just have to exist.

Because when your systems get stronger, your fundraising gets more consistent.

And when your fundraising gets more consistent, your mission gets stronger.

That is the whole point.

If you are still wondering why this matters so much right now, go back and read the first post in this series: Nonprofit Fundraising Is Getting Harder. Your Systems Need to Get Smarter.

It explains why scattered fundraising is breaking down and why stronger systems are no longer optional.

Need practical tools to strengthen your fundraising?

Success For Nonprofits offers templates, guides, and toolkits to help nonprofit leaders build stronger fundraising systems, engage board members, improve donor retention, and raise money with more confidence.

Because your mission deserves more than last-minute fundraising panic.

And so do you.

FAQ: Fundraising Systems Every Nonprofit Needs

What fundraising systems does every nonprofit need?

Every nonprofit needs systems for donor thank-you messages, donor retention, monthly giving, board fundraising, donation page improvement, impact storytelling, and annual fundraising planning.

How can a small nonprofit build a fundraising system?

A small nonprofit can start by choosing one system to improve first, such as donor follow-up or a fundraising calendar. The goal is to create simple, repeatable steps that staff and board members can follow.

Why is donor retention important?

Donor retention is important because it is usually easier to keep existing donors than to constantly find new ones. Strong donor retention helps nonprofits build more reliable support over time.

How can board members help with fundraising?

Board members can help by making personal gifts, thanking donors, making introductions, inviting people to events, identifying sponsors, sharing campaigns, and talking about the organization in the community.

What makes a good nonprofit donation page?

A good nonprofit donation page is easy to find, simple to use, mobile-friendly, emotionally clear, and focused on impact. It should make giving feel easy and meaningful.

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Nonprofit Grants For Equity And Empowerment

Scroll down to explore this week's grants. Deadlines are always approaching, so take a look and see which ones might be the right fit for your nonprofit.

Happy grant writing!

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Aerie Real Foundation

Supports nonprofits focused on building confidence in women and girls through community programs, leadership development, access to resources, menstrual equity initiatives, education, and other empowerment-focused efforts.

Deadline: June 29, 2026

https://www.ae.com/aerie-real-life/aerie-real-foundation-grant-guidelines/

Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation

Two different funding programs available:

1. Community Grants support nonprofits whose work advances the interests and well-being of LGBTQ+ people through advocacy, programs, and services.

Next Deadline: September 30, 2026

https://leonardlitz.org/how-our-process-works

2. LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund for specific projects rooted in pivotal progress for LGBTQ+ people on a broad scale.

Rolling Deadline

https://leonardlitz.org/lgbtq-advocacy-fund

U.S. Department of Justice

The Office on Violence Against Women is accepting applications for the FY26 STOP Formula Grant Program to support initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across the U.S. Other upcoming grant programs and deadlines as well.

Deadline: July 10, 2026

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362669

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Third Wave Fund

The Mobilize Power Fund supports gender justice groups addressing unexpected challenges in their organizing work. The fund focuses on rapid response mobilizations, healing justice work, conflict resolution and conflict transformation, community accountability, mutual aid, direct actions, emergency safety, and more.

Deadline: July 7, 2026

https://www.thirdwavefund.org/mobilize-power-fund

Mildred’s Dream Foundation

Supports nonprofits addressing critical needs in education with an emphasis on access, diversity, and inclusion for children, violence prevention and survivor support addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and abuse prevention, and physical and mental health challenges with a focus on underserved and vulnerable populations.

Deadline: July 17, 2026

https://mildredsdreamfoundation.org/grant-program/

Looking Out Foundation

Grants to nonprofits include, but are not limited to: LGBTQIA2S+ support, disadvantaged youth, public health, women, the arts, those experiencing food insecurity, and the unhoused.

Deadline: July 1, 2026

https://www.lookingoutfoundation.org/grants/

The Impact Fund

The Fund provides grants to legal services nonprofits who seek to confront social, economic, and environmental injustice that affect marginalized groups. Focus areas include LGBT rights, human and civil rights, prisoners’ rights, voting rights, gender equity, and more.

Rolling Deadline

https://www.impactfund.org/legal-grants/application-requirements

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Grant Writing Made Easier: What Funders Really Want to See

Grant Writing Made Easier: What Funders Actually Want to Know

Grant writing can feel like a secret language.

Every funder has a different:

Application
Portal
Character limit
Deadline
Way of asking the same question seventeen times

Fun, right?

But here is the good news: most grant proposals are built from the same basic ingredients.

Funders may ask for the information in different ways, but they are almost always looking for the same things.

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Before we jump too far in...Want to make your next grant proposal less painful?

Download the free Grant Proposal Readiness Checklist and gather the pieces before you start writing.

What Funders Want to Know

Funders want clear answers to these questions:

Who are you?
What are you doing?
Why does it matter?
How will you do it?
What will change?
How will you spend the money?
Can they trust you to follow through?

That’s it.

A strong grant proposal is not about sounding fancy. It is about making a clear, compelling case that your organization understands the problem, has a real plan, and can deliver results.

Let’s break down the pieces you need.

1. Organization Overview: Tell Them Who You Are

Every proposal needs a clear introduction to your organization.

This is not the place to copy and paste your entire history from 1987 to now. Please don’t. Grant reviewers are tired and caffeinated. Help them.

Your organization overview should answer:

Who are you?
When and why were you founded?
What is your mission?
Who do you serve?
What programs or services do you provide?
What makes your organization credible and trusted?

This section helps the funder understand whether your organization is capable of managing the grant and doing the work.

And yes, you can be honest.

If your organization has gone through a leadership transition, a major challenge, or a period of rebuilding, you do not need to pretend everything has been perfect. Funders do not expect perfection. They expect honesty, stability, and a plan.

A strong organization overview says:

We know who we are. We know who we serve. We know what we’re doing.

That is the energy we want.

2. Project Description: Tell Them What You Want to Do

This is where you explain the program, project, or work you want the funder to support.

Be specific.

Please do not write:

“We will empower youth through meaningful engagement opportunities.”

Nope. Try again.

Say what you are actually going to do.

For example:

“We will provide an eight-week after-school leadership program for 40 middle school students in Palm Desert. Students will participate in weekly workshops focused on communication, goal setting, conflict resolution, and career exploration.”

See the difference?

Your project description should include:

What the project is
Who will participate
Where it will happen
When it will happen
What activities are included
Who will manage the work
How the grant funds will be used

This is also where many nonprofits forget to say how much money they are requesting.

Do not make the funder go on a treasure hunt.

Tell them what you need and what the money will pay for.

3. Need Statement: Explain Why This Matters

Your need statement answers the big question:

Why should anyone care?

This section explains the problem, gap, or opportunity your project is addressing.

A good need statement includes facts, but it should not read like a data dump. You want enough research to show that the need is real, but enough humanity to remind the reviewer that real people are affected.

Use a mix of:

Local data
Community feedback
Program waitlists
Survey results
Stories or examples
Research from credible sources

The strongest need statements connect three things:

The problem
The people impacted
Why your organization is positioned to respond

And here is a little grant writing truth bomb: the need statement should connect to the funder’s priorities.

Not in a fake way. Not in a “we twisted ourselves into a pretzel to fit this grant” way.

But if the funder cares about youth mental health, financial stability, housing, workforce development, seniors, arts access, or community health, make the connection clear.

Do not assume the reviewer will connect the dots.

Connect them yourself.

4. Outcomes and Evaluation: Show What Will Change

Funders do not just want to know what you will do.

They want to know what will be different because you did it.

That is where outcomes matter.

Activities vs. Outcomes

Activities are what you do.

Outcomes are what changes.

Examples:

Activity: We will host six financial literacy workshops.
Outcome: Participants will increase their understanding of budgeting, credit, and savings.
Activity: We will provide rent assistance to 25 families.
Outcome: Families will avoid eviction and maintain stable housing.
Activity: We will serve 100 seniors through an arts program.
Outcome: Seniors will report reduced isolation and increased social connection.

Numbers matter, but numbers are not the whole story.

Yes, say how many people you will serve. But also explain what people will learn, gain, improve, access, or experience because of the program.

Then explain how you will measure it.

You might use:

Surveys
Attendance records
Pre- and post-tests
Interviews
Case notes
Client feedback
Partner reports

A strong evaluation section tells the funder:

We are not just doing activities.
We are paying attention.
We are learning.
We are measuring what matters.

That is what funders want to see.

5. Budget: Make the Numbers Match the Story

Your budget is not just a spreadsheet.

It is your proposal in numbers.

If your narrative says you are running workshops, the budget should show workshop expenses.

If your narrative says staff will provide case management, the budget should include staff time.

If your narrative says participants will receive transportation, meals, supplies, or stipends, those costs should show up clearly.

Your budget should answer:

How much does the project cost?
How much are you requesting from this funder?
What will their money pay for?
Are there other funding sources?
Is the budget realistic?

The biggest mistake nonprofits make is treating the budget like an afterthought.

Do not do that.

A confusing budget makes reviewers nervous. A clear budget builds trust.

And please, for the love of all things nonprofit, make sure the numbers add up.

6. Future Funding: Explain What Happens Next

Many funders want to know what happens after their grant ends.

This is especially true if you are asking them to support a new program.

They may ask:

Will this project continue?
How will you fund it in the future?
Do you have other funders?
Are you building partnerships?
Will participants, donors, government contracts, earned income, or other grants support the work?

This does not mean you need to have every dollar secured forever.

But you do need to show that you have thought beyond the grant period.

A good sustainability answer might include:

Other grants you are pursuing
Individual donor support
Corporate sponsorships
Government funding
Program income
Partnerships
A phased growth plan
Board fundraising efforts

Do not write, “We will continue to seek funding.”

That is not a plan. That is a sentence wearing a tiny grant-writing hat.

Give them something real.

7. Summary or Abstract: Write This Last

The summary is usually at the beginning of the proposal, but you should write it last.

Why?

Because once the full proposal is written, you will have a much clearer sense of the strongest points.

Your summary should briefly explain:

Who your organization is
What you are requesting
What project the grant will support
Who will benefit
Why the need matters
What impact the project will have

Think of it as the front door to your proposal.

It should be:

Clear
Compelling
Easy to understand
Free of jargon
Strong without being dramatic

Not stuffed with buzzwords. Not trying too hard.

Just strong.

8. Attachments: Do Not Let the Boring Stuff Sink You

Attachments matter.

A funder may ask for:

Board list
IRS determination letter
Organization budget
Project budget
Financial statements
Audit or review
Staff bios
Letters of support
Annual report
Strategic plan
Proof of insurance
Program materials

Read the guidelines carefully.

Then read them again.

Then have someone else read them.

Missing attachments can hurt an otherwise strong proposal. Sometimes they can make your application ineligible.

That is a painful way to lose money.

Do not be that nonprofit.

Final Thought: A Good Grant Proposal Tells a Clear Story

A strong grant proposal does not need to be complicated.

It needs to be clear.

It should tell the funder:

Here is the need.
Here is who we are.
Here is what we will do.
Here is what it will cost.
Here is what will change.
Here is how we will know it worked.
Here is why you can trust us.

That is the story.

And when you prepare these pieces ahead of time, grant writing gets a whole lot easier. You stop starting from scratch every time. You build a strong foundation, then adapt it to each funder.

That is how you move from panic-writing at midnight to submitting proposals that are clear, competitive, and fundable.

Still stressful? Sometimes.

But much less chaotic.

And we love less chaotic.

Free Resource

Want to make your next grant proposal less painful?

Download the free Grant Proposal Readiness Checklist and gather the pieces before you start writing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grant Writing for Nonprofits

What do funders actually look for in a grant proposal?

Funders want to know if your organization is credible, if the need is real, if your plan makes sense, and if their money will create meaningful impact. They are not looking for fancy language. They are looking for clarity, alignment, and confidence that you can do what you say you will do.

What are the main components of a grant proposal?

Most grant proposals include an organization overview, project description, need statement, goals and outcomes, evaluation plan, budget, future funding plan, summary or abstract, and required attachments. Funders may ask for these pieces in different ways, but the basic ingredients are usually the same.

What is a need statement in a grant proposal?

A need statement explains the problem, gap, or opportunity your project is addressing. It should include data, community context, and real examples that help the funder understand why the work matters. The best need statements connect the problem to the people affected and show why your organization is the right one to respond.

What is the difference between activities and outcomes in a grant proposal?

Activities are what your organization will do. Outcomes are what will change because you did it. For example, hosting six workshops is an activity. Participants increasing their knowledge or changing a behavior is an outcome. Funders want both, but outcomes are what show impact.

How do I write a grant budget that builds funder confidence?

Your budget should match your proposal. If you describe staff time, supplies, workshops, transportation, meals, evaluation, or outreach in the narrative, those costs should appear in the budget. A strong budget is clear, realistic, and easy to understand. A confusing budget makes reviewers nervous, and nervous reviewers do not usually write checks.

How long should a grant proposal be?

As long as the funder asks for, and not one word longer. Follow the application instructions carefully. If there is no stated limit, keep your answers clear, specific, and focused. More words do not automatically make a stronger proposal. Better answers do.

Should I use stories or data in a grant proposal?

Use both. Data shows the need is real. Stories show why the need matters. A proposal with only data can feel cold. A proposal with only stories can feel unsupported. The strongest proposals use credible numbers and human context.

What makes a grant proposal stand out?

A strong proposal is easy to understand. It clearly explains the need, the plan, the people served, the expected outcomes, and the budget. It also shows alignment with the funder’s priorities. The magic is not in sounding impressive. The magic is in making it easy for the funder to say yes.

What is the biggest mistake nonprofits make when writing grants?

One of the biggest mistakes is being too vague. Funders need specifics. Who will you serve? How many people? What will you do? What will it cost? What will change? How will you know it worked? If your proposal sounds like it could belong to any nonprofit, it needs more clarity.

What should I do before I start writing a grant proposal?

Before you start writing, gather your core information: mission, program description, need statement, outcomes, budget, evaluation plan, attachments, and any funder-specific requirements. Starting with the pieces in place will save time, reduce stress, and help you write a stronger proposal.

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Nonprofit Fundraising Is Getting Harder. Your Systems Need to Get Smarter.

Nonprofits are being asked to do more with less, and the old way of fundraising is not going to cut it anymore.

A few emails, one annual appeal, a tired event, and a board that “supports fundraising” in theory is not a fundraising system.

It is a wish with a logo.

And right now, nonprofit leaders need more than wishes.

They need systems.

Across the country, nonprofits are facing increased demand, financial uncertainty, staffing challenges, and serious burnout. Many organizations are being asked to serve more people, solve more problems, and raise more money with fewer people and less breathing room.

Lovely.

Just what every exhausted nonprofit leader needed, right?

But here is the hard truth: when the pressure increases, scattered fundraising breaks faster.

If your nonprofit’s fundraising depends on last-minute appeals, heroic staff effort, board guilt, inconsistent donor communication, and the occasional “maybe this event will save us” moment, you do not have a fundraising system.

You have fundraising chaos.

And chaos is expensive.

It costs you money.
It costs you donors.
It costs you staff energy.
It costs you momentum.
It costs you confidence.

The good news?

You do not need a massive development department to build better fundraising systems.

You need clarity. You need consistency. You need follow-through. And you need to stop treating fundraising like something you squeeze in after everything else.

Because fundraising is not extra.

Fundraising is mission work.

What is a nonprofit fundraising system?

A nonprofit fundraising system is the repeatable process your organization uses to raise money, build donor relationships, communicate impact, and keep supporters engaged over time.

It is not one campaign.

It is not one event.

It is not one person who “just knows how to do it.”

A fundraising system includes the simple structures that help your nonprofit raise money more consistently, such as:

Donor follow-up
Thank-you processes
Monthly giving
Board fundraising roles
Donation page improvements
Email communications
Storytelling
Sponsor outreach
Appeal calendars
Donor retention tracking
Impact reporting
Clear calls to action

In other words, a fundraising system helps your organization stop reinventing the wheel every time money gets tight.

And please believe me, the wheel does not need to be reinvented.

It needs to be put on the car.

Why nonprofit fundraising feels harder right now

If fundraising feels harder, you are not imagining it.

Nonprofits are operating in a messy environment.

Community needs are rising. Costs are higher. Staff are stretched. Donors are more selective. Funders are overwhelmed. Board members are often unsure what to do. And many nonprofit leaders are carrying the emotional weight of trying to keep programs alive while smiling through meetings like everything is fine.

Everything is not fine.

The problem is not that nonprofit leaders do not care.

They care deeply.

The problem is that too many organizations have never been given the time, tools, or permission to build fundraising infrastructure.

So everything becomes reactive.

You need money, so you send an appeal.
You need donors, so you post on social media.
You need sponsors, so you dust off last year’s packet.
You need board help, so you say, “Please share this with your networks,” and then everyone quietly pretends they did.

That model is not built for the pressure nonprofits are under now.

A stronger fundraising system is proactive.

It asks:

Who are our donors?
How are we keeping them engaged?
What do they need to understand?
How often are we communicating?
Are we thanking people well?
Are we asking consistently?
Are we making it easy to give?
Are we giving board members specific actions?
Are we tracking what works?
Are we building relationships before we need money?

That is where the shift happens.

Fundraising gets smarter when it becomes less random.

The old way of fundraising is too fragile

Many nonprofits are still relying on a fundraising model that looks something like this:

Panic in March.
Event in May.
A few social media posts in July.
A year-end appeal in November.
A rushed email in December.
A board reminder that everyone ignores.
Repeat.

That is not a strategy.

That is a seasonal anxiety disorder with a donation button.

A fragile fundraising model depends on urgency instead of planning.

It depends on staff memory instead of documented systems.

It depends on donor goodwill without enough donor care.

It depends on board members magically knowing what to do.

It depends on people giving again even if they barely heard from you after their last gift.

That is not sustainable.

And it is definitely not fair to the people trying to hold the organization together.

Your donors need more than an ask

One of the biggest fundraising mistakes nonprofits make is only communicating with donors when they need something.

That gets old fast.

Imagine if a friend only texted you when they needed a ride to the airport.

Eventually, you would stop answering.

Donors are the same way.

They need to hear from you between asks.

They need to know what their giving made possible. They need stories. They need progress updates. They need to feel like they are part of something meaningful, not just part of a database.

This does not mean you need to send a 14-page newsletter every week.

Please do not.

It means you need a simple donor communication rhythm.

For example:

One thank-you message after a gift
One impact email each month
One donor story or client story each month
One behind-the-scenes update each quarter
One clear fundraising ask when appropriate
One personal touch for major donors or loyal supporters

Simple.

Repeatable.

Human.

That is the system.

Donor retention should be a top priority

If your nonprofit wants to raise more money, one of the smartest places to start is with the donors you already have.

New donors are wonderful.

But keeping existing donors is usually more efficient than constantly trying to find new ones.

If someone already gave to your organization, that person has already said, “This matters to me.”

Your job is to help them keep caring.

That means donor retention should not be an afterthought.

It should be part of your fundraising plan.

Start by asking:

How many donors gave last year?
How many gave again this year?
How many first-time donors gave a second gift?
How many monthly donors stayed active?
How many lapsed donors did we contact?
How quickly did we thank donors?
Did donors hear what their gifts accomplished?

If you do not know the answers, do not panic.

But do start tracking.

Because what gets ignored usually gets worse.

Not sure where your systems stand? Download the FREE Fundraising System Scorecard and find out in 5 minutes. Rate your organization across 8 systems and get a clear picture of exactly where to start.

Fundraising systems reduce burnout

Here is the part people do not talk about enough.

Better fundraising systems are not just about raising more money.

They are also about reducing burnout.

When there is no system, everything depends on memory, urgency, and whoever is willing to stay late.

That is how staff burn out.

That is how donor follow-up falls through the cracks.

That is how campaigns get rushed.

That is how opportunities get missed.

That is how the executive director becomes the entire fundraising department, communications department, crisis response team, and emotional support raccoon.

No one can operate that way forever.

A good system creates repeatable steps.

It helps staff know what happens next.

It helps board members understand their role.

It helps donors feel cared for.

It helps leaders make better decisions.

It gives your organization a little more oxygen.

And oxygen is not a luxury.

The bottom line

Nonprofit fundraising is getting harder.

That does not mean your organization should panic.

It means your organization needs to get more intentional.

You do not need to do everything.

You do not need to chase every trend.

You do not need to launch six new campaigns at once.

You need stronger systems.

A system for thanking donors.
A system for keeping donors connected.
A system for monthly giving.
A system for board fundraising.
A system for telling your story.
A system for making giving easy.
A system for following up.
A system for raising money before the crisis hits.

Because hope is lovely.

But hope is not a fundraising plan.

And in this season, nonprofits need more than good intentions and heroic exhaustion.

They need fundraising systems that are clear, consistent, and built to last.

Your mission deserves more than last-minute fundraising panic. Download the FREE Fundraising System Scorecard, find your score, and build the one system that will make the biggest difference first.

Want the practical next step?

In the next post, we will break down seven fundraising systems every nonprofit needs to raise money more consistently, without burning everyone out in the process.

Because your mission deserves more than last-minute fundraising panic.

And honestly?

So do you.

FAQ: Nonprofit Fundraising Systems

What is a nonprofit fundraising system?

A nonprofit fundraising system is a repeatable process for raising money, communicating with donors, tracking relationships, making asks, thanking supporters, and reporting impact. It helps nonprofits raise funds more consistently instead of relying on last-minute appeals or scattered efforts.

Why is nonprofit fundraising getting harder?

Nonprofit fundraising is getting harder because many organizations are facing increased demand, financial uncertainty, donor retention challenges, rising costs, and staff burnout. These pressures make it more important for nonprofits to build clear and consistent fundraising systems.

Why do nonprofits need fundraising systems?

Nonprofits need fundraising systems because random, last-minute fundraising is not sustainable. Systems help organizations communicate consistently, retain donors, engage boards, improve follow-up, and raise money with more confidence.

How do fundraising systems reduce burnout?

Fundraising systems reduce burnout by creating repeatable processes, clear roles, and planned communication. Staff do not have to start from scratch every time money is needed.

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