Fundraising HayDay (fundraisinghayday)

Federal funders always produce a set of guidelines with each grant application. They are known by a variety of names, depending on the funding agency, from Request for Proposal (RFP) to NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) and many acronyms in between. Grant professionals must understand how to read each RFP to ensure eligiblity and competiveness of the organization applying, as well as the requirements for a quality proposal.

Whether you work for a local government, nonprofit, university, or another organization seeking grant funds, do not overlook the assistance elected officials can offer. Support letters, grant research, and federal appropriations are just a few examples of the assistance they provide.

Dear funders, we appreciate when you offer a grant workshop. It is ALWAYS helpful to learn more about an upcoming application process and have the opportunity to ask questions of you. But not all funder-led workshops are created equal. Join us as we talk about the aspects of these workshops that drive every grant professional to bang their head against the wall, and hear our dream world about the perfect workshop experience. 

Grant applications vary from application to application. Public and private funding processes are often at two ends of the spectrum, from the level of detail provided in the guidelines to application length to submission processes. Join our cohosts as we discuss the differences between the two, including what we like and don't about each. Neither are perfect, and there is always room for improvement.

Work-life balance. Healthy work environment. The happy, health nonprofit. Let's face it. We have all heard the buzz words about having a healthy work environment, but it's time to get past the talking and actually make it happen. Join our conversation with Tara Davis who manages staff well-being and engagement for the American Psychological Association as we learn some great practices and ideas to make our working environment better for us all. And she's got the data to back it up, a fan favorite for grant professionals. Maybe even forward this podcast episode to your boss...

It's the dreaded question most funders ask: how are you going to sustain this program when the grant is over? If we are being brutally honest, the answer is probably to write another grant. But we want to be funded, so a more comprehensive and multi-faceted answer is required. Learn all about the benefits of collaboration, fundraising, and more to create the best sustainability answer possible.

Sadly, horror stories abound of individuals and organizations not following the rules, regulations, and requirements set forth by grant funders. These stories of fraud serve as a reminder that grant funding is not our money, and we have a fiscal and morale responsibility to safeguard it. Join this year's discussion of stories ripped from the headlines.

Many grant proposals allow, and sometimes require, letters of support. Whether you call them support letters, letters of endorsement, or commitment letters, this is a means for funders to see the wide range of “support” for your project or program. They can be gathered from individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, elected officials, businesses, school systems, civic organizations, and more. But getting quality letters in a timely manner isn’t always as simple as you think.

One of the most frustrating aspects of grant prospect research is the lack of transparency and information provided by private funders. Sure, foundations and corporations are required to file an annual 990, but those are a year or two behind the curve and often provide very little information about their application process. Imagine if every funder had a website! It’s a win-win situation. Applicants can find funders who align with their work, and foundations will receive applications that are better aligned with their work. When the guidelines are clear, it saves time and heartache for us all. Is that really too much to ask?

Today we are interviewing Shavonn Richardson, CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. She has done all the things in the grant world: started her own nonprofit, worked for a foundation to award grants to nonprofits, and finally grant consultant. We talk entrepreneurship, leadership, and all things grant work.

The Enneagram is a tool, complete with nine personality types, used to understand your way of relating to the world around you. Understanding how you and your coworkers interact, based on your enneagram types, can make you a more cohesive team. Find your enneagram today.

Most federal grant programs will allow in-direct cost rates. But what is it? How does your organization get one? What does it fund? The process is complicated and has many moving parts, which is why we brought in an expert. Join our discussion with Karen Norris, Principal of Kanoco, as we get our questions answers and navigate the complex world of federal in-direct cost rates.

With a combined 50+ years of grant writing experience, our cohosts know their way around a grant proposal. Today they are sharing writing tips based on lessons learned, sometimes the hard way. Whether you are new to the grant field or have been doing this a few decades yourself, we are covering a plethora of tips and tricks to help you effectively develop your grant proposals.

Season 1, BONUS Episode of the Fundraising HayDay Podcast. March 8, 2019, is International Grant Professionals Day (IGPD). Learn about the celebratory event's origins and ways to celebrate. IGPD is a both an educational tool for the grant community and a means to thank grant funders and professionals for their contributions to our communities.

If you have spent any time preparing a grant proposal, managing a grant program, or dealt with the many requirements centered around grant funding, you have most likely thrown up your hands in frustration, and probably more than once. From limited character counts and ridiculous online portals to the abysmal funding levels awarded to nonprofits serving and led by people of color, it's enough to make you want to burn the whole system to the ground. In part 1 of this discussion, we are asking all the whys: why is this so bad; why is this so difficult; and why, why, why can't funders make it better? Sometimes a rant is cathartic. 

The grants and fundraising arena has always been a competitive endeavor. If you have spent any amount of time in the fund seeking world, you understand that the need always outweighs the grant awards offered by funders and donations handed out by individuals. But that does not mean us grant professionals and fundraisers have to throw off the gloves and duke it out until the last one is standing. Join today's episode for real world examples of how to dial down the crazy-making competition of grant seeking and fundraising. If we all participate in social grant responsibility, it will be better for all those we serve.

Season Three wraps with a top ten list of the cohosts' favorite tips, organizations, and helpful things. Join Kimberly and Amanda as they chat about all the things that brought them joy in 2020. 

It's the Fundraising HayDay annual episode that is ripped from the headlines. We are talking grant fraud stories and the consequences that happen when the rules are broken. We've got stories about a university professor and a local mayor. We're also following up on a story from last year's episode about the Tennessee state senator who was accused of using federal grant funds for personal gain. 

You know the drill. A funder asks a series of questions, then gives you anywhere from 100 to 1,000 CHARACTERS to answer each question. When you have a million things to share, but a very limited space to do so, how do you fit it all in? Today we're talking writing tight.

In November 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). It provides $1.2 Trillion in federal funding designed to transform, enhance, and augment all sorts of vital projects across the country. To get you acquainted with the funding we are talking Justice40, sharing resources, and more.

Working in the nonprofit sector means we focus on wealth and charitable donations, while juggling sustainability, investments, and the future. Today we are talking to fundraising expert Cherian Koshy about planned giving, stock transfers, decolonizing non-profit strategic planning, and so much more. He knows the artful balance of doing the work today while planning for the future needs of your community.  

Amanda and Kimberly have a combined 50+ years of grant work. To say our cohosts have learned a few things along the way is an understatement. They are sharing their top 10 lessons learned along the way – maybe a few of them will resonate with you.

People come to the grant field from a variety of backgrounds and their work varies depending on their clients, focus, and experience. Dr. Janelle Harvey’s passion is nonprofits and ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive. She shares her insights on being mentored, working with faith-based organizations, her recent experience with the Milestone Circles program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, and so much more.

Show Notes:

Faith and Fundraising Podcast on Kingdom Purpose Radio - Kingdom Purpose Radio – Harvey (drharveywrites.com) & Christian Radio | Kingdom Purpose Radio

Harvey NPO Consulting, LLC - Harvey – Harvey NPO Consulting Group (drharveywrites.com)

Whether virtual, on-site, or a hybrid model, professional conferences are a great way to find tips on raising more through grants and fundraising. But they can be overwhelming and exhausting, even if you are attending in your pajamas. In this episode, learn how to get the most from your professional conference experience from an introvert's and an extrovert's point of view.  

Join co-hosts Amanda and Kimberly for the ups, downs, and all-arounds of working with Boards of Directors as a board member, staff, or consultant. Successful boards can open doors for fundraising, grant seeking, and building strong partnerships in the communities served.

Nonprofit leadership is not for the faint of heart. Our work is messy, imperfect, inspiring, engaging, and everything in between. So how do we lead well, while acknowledging our faults and flaws? Join our conversation with Julie Boll, Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, about courage-building work in the nonprofit sector.

Join our cohosts as we talk with Carol Kraus, former Director of Illinois’ Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit. With backing by the state’s legislature, this new unit worked with stakeholders, creating a streamlined grant process for all state grant programs, including federal pass through funding. Imagine a one stop shop for grant prospect research, grant application portals, and grant management regulations for every state agency. It’s like a dream come true, and Illinois set the standard for the rest of us to follow.

We are talking to Pamela Grow about individual giving. Nonprofits should have a diverse portfolio of funding, and believe it or not, grants are not the biggest slice of that pie. The largest source of charitable giving comes from individuals. Take a listen to learn how to cultivate consistent donors for your organization.

We spend many episodes dreaming of the way we WISH funders would operate - and today we are flipping the script. Learn about funders who are doing things right, earning praise from grant professionals far and wide. Plus, learn how you can lift up those funders who deserve all our praise and recognition. It's a great way to set an example for the hundreds of thousands of others who should step up their game. 

It's not unusual to specialize in a specific field of the grant profession. So how do you determine which one fits your career? The best way is to learn as much as you can about the differences between them all. Today we are highlighting Olivia Smith-Daugherty and her work in K-12 education. She manages the grant needs of entire school system, serving students, teachers, and administrators. Could this be the grant specialty for you? 

As grant professionals and fundraisers, we look to data, information, and resources to determine the best course of action when meeting the needs of the communities we serve. With the growing health pandemic of COVID-19, we need to lean on one another and share relevant health and safety concerns. Funders, both federal and private, across the country are stepping up their game by relaxing restrictions and providing flexibility to grantees. Join us in this bonus episode as we talk about safety, resources, and ways grantors can step up their game.

Every organization has a story. The stories of our work and people served shape our fundraising, grant proposals, and communities, but how do we find them? Join our lively discussion with Julia Campbell, a digital storyteller with a passion for helping nonprofits build movements, to learn how you can best use social media and other avenues to spread the word about the good you do.

Grant management is a vital part of the grant life cycle. If you cannot keep the funding awarded to your agency, you are lessening the chance of future funding. Today we’re walking you through the five main components of post-award work. Whether you are new to the grant world or an experienced grant manager, take a listen to make sure you’re covering all the basics.

December 1st is Giving Tuesday, a day set aside to promote the spirit of giving through social media sites. It sounds like a brilliant fundraising tactic for your growing nonprofit, but if you don't have the staff, social media following, and know-how, you will find time wasted and little return on your investment. Join our cohosts as we discuss this and other funding campaigns that may or may not be the right fit for your organization.

Storytelling is at the heart of our work. We communicate with donors and grantors. We share the successes of the people and communities we serve. Join our story-filled conversation with Marc Pitman, founder of Concord Leadership Group and storyteller extraordinaire.

As protests continue against the violence and racism that African-Americans experience every day, it's important to use our voices and actions to stand up to that racism. Join cohosts Kimberly and Amanda as they share resources for opening up the conversation and understanding how we can all do our part. 

A great way to spread your wings, learn new skills, and gain leadership experience is to get involved with a professional organization. For grant and fundraising professionals, groups like the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), Association of Fundraising Professionals, and National Grant Management Association, are organizations that offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.

During the 2024 GrantSummit we spoke with GPA leaders and volunteers. We’re hearing from folks representing national boards (GPA, Grant Professionals Certification Institute, and Grant Professionals Foundation), the GPA Ethics Committee, GPA Publications Committee, GPA staff, and the inductees of the 2024 Grant Professionals Distinguished Fellows. Learn how you can join a committee or board today.

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY:

Become a member of the Patreon

SHOW NOTES:

Grant Professionals Association’s 2025 GrantSummit

Annual Conference - Grant Professionals Association

Grant Professionals Association Committees (Volunteer Opportunities)

NOTE: You must be signed in as a GPA member to access this site

Committees - Grant Professionals Association

Grant Professionals Association’s Publications

Publications - Grant Professionals Association

Grant Professionals Association’s Ethics FAQs

Ethics FAQs - Grant Professionals Association

Grant Professionals Certification Institute

GPCI – Grant Professionals Certification Institute

Grant Professionals Foundation

Grant Professionals Foundation – Strengthening Nonprofits – Advancing The Grant Profession

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUESTS:

Barb Boggs

(5) Barb Boggs | LinkedIn

Headquarters Staff - Grant Professionals Association

Amanda Day

(5) Amanda Day, GPC | LinkedIn

HayDay Services

Debbie DiVirgilio

(5) Debbie DiVirgilio, MNM, GPC, CGT, CCNL | LinkedIn

Front Page - DiVirgilio & Associates

Laura Gore

Meet the Team | Boyd Grants

Ericka Harney

(5) Dr. Ericka Harney | LinkedIn

Harney & Associates - ErickaHarney Home

Shavon Richardson

(5) Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC (Grant Writer) | LinkedIn

Think and Ink Grant Consulting | Atlanta Grant Writers and Grant Consultants

Tammy Tilzey

(5) Tammy Tilzey | LinkedIn

Innovative Marketing for Nonprofit-Focused Businesses — Willow Peak Consulting

Bernard Turner

(5) Bernard Turner | LinkedIn

Bernard Turner | Belmont University

Erin Van Gilder

(5) Erin Van Gilder, M.A., CGW, GPC | LinkedIn

Cherokee Nation Commerce Services

It can be uncomfortable to talk about race. But you need to push past your own comfort level and bias and be part of the conversation. As grant and fundraising professionals, social justice and equity play a role in the work we all do, no matter our organization or mission. To best serve our communities, we must be prepared to have difficult conversations, talk about inequities, and recognize our own bias. Fleur Larsen works with organizations to shift workplace culture to produce results, and today she is sharing insights on these topics with us.

Getting comfortable with understanding and developing program/project budgets is essential for winning grants. Most grant professionals do not have a finance or accounting background, but budget building skills are necessary for every grant proposal. Consider this episode grant budgets for English majors. It is a deep dive you don't want to miss.

Today we are joined by Erin Goodier, of Goodier Creative, who works with nonprofits on a mission to change the world for the better. She spends her time using videos to tell stories that connect your organization with your audience, whether the world at large or a specific funder. Join our conversation which includes a bit of video 101 training and understanding how to find the right videographer to fit your organization's budget.

Grant writing, just like fundraising, is very relational. The truth is that people give to people. This is why we are talking to Kara D. Mostowy, CFRE, GPC, Chief Development Officer of The Watson Institutehttps://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/. We are working to break down the silos between fundraisers and grant professionals. The more we can work together, the better we can fund the good work of our organizations.

As grant and fundraising professionals, we work with colleagues, boards, partners, other nonprofit agencies, funders, donors, and many other stakeholders. Our job is so much more than bringing in funding. If we are serious about building diversity, equity, and inclusion, we need to build better relationships with all our community stakeholders - making the funding world a better place for every recipient. Don't know how to start? We have a few tips. 

Pat Duboise is a seasoned grant professional who recognized the signs of burnout after attending a national conference. Rather than giving in or ignoring it, she invested in the grant profession through professional development and new experiences in the field. Join our conversation with Pat and learn how to reengage in your own career.

While there are hundreds of thousands of grant opportunities in the United States, not every funder or application fits the mission and need of your organization. Rather than wasting time chasing after dollars you will never win, consider a targeted approach to your grant seeking. We'll tell you how.

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Our cohosts have. Heck, many grant professionals have. We’re sharing our own experiences, the many types of imposter syndrome, and ways to reduce/eliminate the feeling.

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY:

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SHOW NOTES:

“Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back from Living Your Best Life? Why you still feel like you’re faking when you’ve already made it” written by Arlin Cuncic on September 23, 2024 - Imposter Syndrome: The Five Types, How to Deal With It

Grant Professionals are Leaders – Archived webinar from January 2025 led by Amanda Day & Kimberly Hays de Muga for the Grant Professionals Association – free for GPA members; $49 for everyone else - Grant Professionals are Leaders | Grant Professionals Association

When you love or loathe a product or experience, you go online and write a review. It's the American way! GrantAdvisor applied the online review process to foundations, providing anonymous feedback and relevant information to grant seekers and grant funders alike. Hear our interview with Kari Aanestad, Co-Director of GrantAdvisor and Director of Advancement at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and hear how the site (www.GrantAdvisor.org) is growing and foundations are using it for the greater good.

Each year, the Giving USA Foundation and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis releases the annual Giving USA Report. Their goal is to “advance philanthropy through research and education.” The results from the data collected and studies in 2023 were released by Giving USA on June 25, 2024. Our cohosts are highlighting charitable giving by source, types of recipient organizations to receive charitable giving, and why this matters to recipients. The overall message is that while overall funding increased, it did not keep up with inflation, and that will impact nonprofits and their work.

Access the data we highlighted from Giving USA on today’s podcast episode here: Giving USA: U.S. charitable giving totaled $557.16 billion in 2023 | Giving USA

Download the infographic from Giving USA with the highlights of their findings here: 2024 Infographic – Giving USA

There are many varying specialties for grant professionals. So how do you choose the right one for your career? We recommend learning as much as you can about each one. Today we are highlighting TJ Hansell and his work with Tribal Nations, both as a funder and fund seeker. Who knows? This may be the grant specialty for you.

What nonprofit doesn't want to expand their fundraising opportunities? But to be successful, it must first create a healthy culture for its employees, donors, board members, and community served. Today we're talking to Andrew Olsen, Senior Vice President of Fundraising Solutions at DickersonBakker, about examining ourselves, having realistic conversations, and putting in the work.

So many people are focused on getting the grant. But then it’s awarded. Now what? Grant management is a key component to keeping your grant awards AND getting future grant awards. Join our conversation with Rachel Werner and Lucy Morgan of MyFedTrainer.com about all things grant management. We’re talking tips for good management, Uniform Guidance, advice for organizations who are new to federal grant funding, and more.

These days, grant professionals and fundraisers are often asked to tag team on capital campaigns. When raising a significant amount of money in a set time frame for a new building, large technology upgrade, an endowment, a fleet of new vehicles, or any other large-scaled project, it is typically all hands-on deck. We're offering a step-by-step process, highlighting how grants can and should play a role in the process.

In grant trainings, we often talk about the many mistakes grant professionals make that cause grant applications to be denied – from missing deadlines to forgetting necessary attachments. Today we’re covering those reasons, but we are also reviewing the impact of funders, their processes, and their decisions that negatively impact our grant success.

Join us as we review the top 5 reasons your grant proposals are denied. Lessons learned will help future applications.

Fundraising leaders are required to do so much: help donors give with joy, manage the programs, write quality grant proposals, direct their staff, and so much more. And at the heart of it all, they should care about the work they are doing. Join our cohosts as they speak with Margaret Katz Cann of Fundraising Leadership, an organization who grows nonprofit leaders through coaching and training programs. Margaret has been on both sides of the grant and fundraising tables, and she knows a thing or two about giving with joy.

Human service organizations the world over work tirelessly to feed, clothe, house, and care for our communities. In Milwaukee, one nonprofit is bring the full resources of the city to bear in order to end generational poverty. Join our conversation with City on a Hill's CEO, Art Serna, as he shares their approach of holistic programming, collaboration, diversified funding, and community engagement. 

Have you started your own business? Are you thinking about it? Whether you plan to be a grant consultant, start a fundraising empire, or want to freelance here and there, it is important to think about your plans for maintaining or growing your business. We are joined by Kim Joyce, Founder & CEO of Kim Joyce & Associates. When she first started her business she had a handful of clients, and today she employees over 30 individuals. She’s got a lot to say about how it happened.

Your Fundraising HayDay cohosts are big believers that reading is a vital component to quality writing skills. We share what reading does for your vocabulary, sentence structure, and so much more. Whether you love paperback books, audio books, newspapers, magazines, grant proposals, letters, or any reading medium, the written word is a powerful thing that impacts our own writing.

Your organization is ready to tackle the realm of grants, but you need the assistance of a grant professional. Should you hire an employee or consultant? Hear the pros and cons of each, because the answer will vary based on your organization's needs and fundraising goals.

Dana Schuler Drummond has a long and storied career in the field of grants and fundraising. She writes grant proposals; she teaches nonprofit courses at a local college; and she developed a grant management software tool when her post-it system failed her. No two people have the same career trajectory, but Dana has a story that will resonate with us all.

Season 1 of Fundraising HayDay was launched in November 2018. This month (November 2023) marks our 5-year anniversary. We are celebrating with memories and guests who love and support the show.

As tradition goes, Kimberly and Amanda share the things that brought them joy throughout the year. Join our annual top ten favorite things, and see what made the list for 2021. 

The fastest road to burnout is overloading your staff. Boards, elected officials, executive directors, and other leaders must understand the capacity of time and resources necessary to develop and manage grant proposals. It is not a solo sport. So before chasing the dollars, ensure the right people with the right skills are on your agency’s grants team to ensure success and longevity of your grant funded programs.

Cohosts Amanda and Kimberly talk about their top ten favorite things discovered during Season 2 of the podcast. From books to technology to professional development, they share their favorites with you. Take a listen and see which ones might be the next item you decide to check out.

Learn how to make productivity tools work for you, not run your life in this fun, fast-paced interview with Scrum and Agile expert Avi Schneier, the Principle Consultant, Agile Transformations of Scrum Inc. From writing more grants, to raising more money, to the importance of tracking happiness, we cover the waterfront of efficiency and effectiveness in this episode.

In the episode, Avi shared three great scrum related resources, and they are:

(1) Book - Scrum The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time (AKA the red book)

(2) Book - The Scrum Fieldbook: Faster Performance. Better Results. Starting Now. (AKA the yellow book)

(3) Blog Post - 7 Steps To Hybrid Teams Success - Scrum Inc

There are so many technological tools for assisting professionals in their grant writing and management processes, but technology is not the only solution in our field. Join cohosts Kimberly and Amanda as they honor some of the OG (Original Grant) Productivity Tools they often use to get the job done. Sometimes, old school rules!

Sure, we all speak English, but are we talking about the same thing? Fundraising is not an exclusively American thing, so we are talking to our friend across the pond. David Burgess, and his firm Apollo Fundraising, provides consultancy, training, and support to arts and cultural organizations. Turns out, we have more in common than we think - and more to learn from one another in getting the job done well.

Sub-recipients, contractors, fiscal agents, partnerships, collaborators - and the list goes on when it comes to potential relationships developed as a result of grant funding. How you treat each relationship is determined by what type of relationship it is. When it comes to federal funding, it can mean the difference between being in and out of compliance with federal regulations. Know which is which so you don't find yourself in trouble with your funder.

What two things are necessary for a sustainable nonprofit? Fundraising and administration. What two things are nonprofits often judged for spending money on? Fundraising and administration.

Programs serve people, but you cannot have programs without funding and staff. Nonprofits need oversight. They require finance personnel, fundraisers, executive directors, and more.

Too many organizations and people perpetuate the overhead myth – the notion that overhead costs (like administration and fundraising) should be 10% or less. Let’s debunk that myth together.

Foundation and corporate grants are a funding source for many nonprofit organizations, but since these funders are not required to have a website, your best source of information is their annual Form 990. On that document they are required to share information about their assets, board members, recent grantees, and a few details about how to submit an application (or not if they do not accept unsolicited applications). Sounds easy, right? Oh, if only it were so. Today, we’re discussing where to find what you’re looking for on Form 990s and venting our frustrations when things are not where they’re supposed to be.

SHOW NOTES

Tax Exempt Organization Search on IRS Website HERE

If your organization is looking to meet community needs for the benefit of the public, whether it be infrastructure or programming, you can ask your federal elected officials to legislate that project so Congress will send money to fund it. If this sounds familiar, it is. Years ago, it was called earmarks or federal appropriations, but around 2011 this funding source went away (or did it?). Join our very informative conversation with Tonia Brown-Kinzel, GPC, CGMS, for a history lesson on this funding source, plus a step-by-step process for participating in the new process, which is known as Congressionally Directed Spending.

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY:

Become a member of the Patreon

SHOW NOTES:

Senators – Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)

• General Guidance on Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Requests – US Senator Committee on Appropriations

Representatives – Community Projects Funding (CPF)

• FY25 Member Request Guidance

Tonia’s FY2026 Federal Appropriations Links & Resources

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Tonia Brown-Kinzel

LinkedIn

The Grant Plant

For some fundraising and grant professionals, consulting is the ultimate end game. For others, they fall into it through no fault of their own. Either way, one must do more than build a good product and hope clients will come knocking on the door. Join our conversation with Lucy Morgan, owner of MyFed Trainer, to learn the ropes on building and growing a successful business all your own. 

Whether you develop grant proposals or work with donors, we are all storytellers. And it's vital that we share the same messages about our organization, the community we serve, and the work we do. T. Clay Buck knows a thing or two about the power of messaging, and he shares insights on how we can all work together to get the job done.

Professional coaching can go a long way to improve your work, your team, and your organization. But what does it even mean? We’re talking with John Hall, motivational speaker and performance advisor, about the aspects of his program Coaching Up. At the center of it all is collaborative communication, connecting with people, teamwork, gifts and doubts, taking inventory, and  gratitude.

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY:

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SHOW NOTES:

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUESTS:

John Hall - John Hall | LinkedIn

Sisters Emily (PhD) and Amelia (DMA) Nagoski, authors of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, join our cohosts in a conversation about stress, work, life, family, and so much more. The Nagoskis offer brilliant research and solutions to avoiding burnout. Their anecdotes, stories, and songs only add to the beauty of this interview. 

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What about your colleagues? How you operate in the world, interact with your co-workers, find your strength, and recharge will vary, depending on which side of the coin you are. Our cohosts, an introvert and extrovert, share how they learned to work together and learned from one another through their differences. Could be the start of a beautiful discussion with your colleagues.

On this season's episode of the road less traveled we are talking to Simon Scriver, cofounder of Fundraising Everywhere. A backpacking trip in Australia led to his beginnings in the fundraising world, a profession he did not even know existed before then. One never knows their career trajectory in the fundraising field, and it turns out that even a fear of public speaking cannot keep a good fundraiser down. Take a listen to Simon's path and imagine where your career may lead. 

Employee giving is a touchy subject. Don't believe us, check out the conversations on Twitter. We're talking to Ephraim Gopin, Founder of 1832 Communications. After hearing both sides of the argument from leaders in the nonprofit field, he spearheaded a survey of his own, sharing the results in his eBook, Employee Giving: Does Charity Begin in the Office? (Get your own free copy here: Employee Giving Ebook - 1832communications.com. Join our discussions surrounding his survey results, what he learned through this project, and how to best handle employee giving in your nonprofit. And in the words of Ephraim: #alwaysbelearning.

Sure, your title may have “writer” in it, but we are more than grant writers. Grant professionals build capacity, develop programs, conduct research, work with clients, build budgets, and so much more. We also have a voice in philanthropy, because without nonprofits and other agencies to do all of its good works, foundations and government agencies would have money to give but not one to give it to. Our guests, Patrice Shumate and Liyen Chong, are two of the founding members of More Than Grant Writers, a collaborative community space for grant professionals to practice their unique collective power for social and environmental justice. Learn about More Than Grant Writers and how you can add your voice to the collective.

When communicating with anyone, language matters. Language is especially important when you serve as grant and/or fundraising professionals who use the written word to explain to funders the needs, successes, and goals of the communities we serve. It is vital we use inclusive language no matter who we are talking about. Joining the conversation is Morgan Carpenter, GPC, a grant writer who focuses on storytelling as a tool to build community awareness and support, as well as India Phoenix and Jamie Rasmussen, by the brujas, whose mission is to create brand culture through intuitive communication strategies. We’re talking about work focused on bringing ALL people along.

JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY:

Become a member of the Patreon

SHOW NOTES:

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUESTS:

Morgan Carpenter - (3) Morgan (Vanek) Carpenter | LinkedIn

India Phoenix - (3) India Phoenix | LinkedIn

Jamie Rasmussen - (3) Jamie (JR) Rasmussen | LinkedIn

by the brujas - Home | By The Brujas LLC

Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting - Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting

Morgan Carpenter’s Book “Prepare for Impact: Everything You Need to Know to Win Grants and Super-Charge Your Nonprofit” – Amazon.com: Prepare for Impact: Everything You Need to Know to Win Grants and Super-Charge Your Nonprofit eBook : Carpenter, Morgan: Kindle Store

Building community, understanding culture, and recognizing prejudices is such a vital part of being a better human. This is an ongoing conversation, and today we are happy to continue that conversation with Kia Jarmon. We’re talking about conflict, different perspectives, and learned experiences and how we can best bring it all together in our own organizations and communities. If you’re a grant professional who does not understand the community for which you are writing grant proposals, how can you best explain that community’s needs and wants and desires to others?

This season's ripped from the headlines episode highlights three instances of grants gone wrong. Join our cohosts as we discuss grant fraud from both a grantee and grantor standpoint. Real life instances of grant fraud can be a powerful lesson in what not to do and serve as a reminder why our grant office should include policies, procedures, and checks and balances. We want to be good stewards of the resources funders entrust to our organizations. 

There is no clear trajectory for a grant professional. So where do you start, and how do you move up the ladder? The truth is, everyone's ladder is different. Cohosts Amanda and Kimberly share their paths in the grant profession. Take a listen and consider where your career will lead you.

Why do we seek grant funding in the first place? It is simple: we serve communities with needs. Without a need, there is no reason to write that grant proposal in the first place. Listen to learn tips to writing the best needs statement for your next grant.

On November 5, cohosts Amanda Day and Kimberly Hays de Muga joined Lucy Morgan (aka My Fed Trainer) for an "Ask Me Anything" workshop at the 2021 Grant Professionals Association Conference in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, you can listen in on that session - where we cover topics from confessing the biggest grant mistake made to fighting inequities in the grant field. Questions were fielded from both in-person and online audiences. Come learn with us.

From productivity tools to social media management, there are a plethora of tech tools to help grant and fundraising professionals with saving time and keep up with it all. Cohosts Amanda and Kimberly share their favorite tools, from Toggl to Miro, and so much more.  Whether you are a consultant or employed by a nonprofit, local government, or other agency, tech tools are a must-have for getting the job done.

Tax exempt organizations in the United States are the third largest employment sector behind manufacturing and retail. Nonprofits do a lot of good. They help feed the hungry, conduct research for childhood cancer, preserve the environment, provide healthcare to the uninsured, fight injustice, and so much more. As much good as nonprofits do in our communities, that does not mean a new nonprofit is the solution to all of life's problems. Join us as we discuss the reasons you might not want to start a nonprofit.

For individuals managing federal funds, a visit from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is basically your worst nightmare. Hear from cohost Amanda Day about one organization's experience and her hand in picking up the pieces after the fact. It was her first day on the job when she discovered her hiring was actually the result of said audit. Take a listen to find out lessons learned along the way.

From small family foundations to large corporation foundations, many funders ask potential grantees to submit an LOI. Do they mean a Letter of Intent or Letter of Interest? Do they want one page or three? What topics do they expect you to cover? The simple answer: it depends. Our cohosts are sharing the ins and outs of all aspects of an LOI in this “how to” episode.

We often spend more time at work than anywhere else. But that doesn’t mean we are closest to our bosses and colleagues. So how does that work when you have things in your life that affect your work performance? Today we are joined by Melanie Palmer, GPC, CFRE and Leilani Ocasio of Melanie Palmer Consulting, where they share their personal inspirations for leading the "Vulnerability in Grants Work: Set Yourself (and Others) Free" workshop two years running at GrantSummit, a conference hosted by the Grant Professionals Association. Together we talk about building safe spaces and safe communities for everyone to share their moments of vulnerability so we can all work together to be our true, authentic selves.

Everyone wants grant money for their organization, and why not? It helps fund programs, staffing, infrastructure, equipment, and so much more. But to be competitive in the grant funding world, you need all your ducks in a row to ensure your organization is grant ready. From compiling needed paperwork and creating documents, to ensuring that your organization's board of directors is on board with all the work needed to create quality grant proposals, it is a lot of work. Is your organization actually ready for you to write a grant, or do you need to jump through a few hoops first? 

Grant funding requires that you not only stick to your approved budget, but you also follow the funder's procurement and conflict of interest requirements. The Federal government is especially particular about both. Join us as we talk with Lucy Morgan, aka My Fed Trainer, about the procurement and conflict of interest specifics found within the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200). Ignoring either is likely to result in losing of grant funds, landing your organization on the suspension and debarement list, or worse.

Elizabeth Holmes built a billion dollar biotech health business in Silicon Valley, but the board, investors, employees, and the public were all mislead. Lessons learned from the handling of her company, Theranos, can be applied to nonprofits and the care of grants. Take a listen to learn what not to do within your own organization. The study of Holmes and Theranos is a case study in fraud, misdeeds, and taking the phrase "fake it 'till you make it" way too far.

The work is piling up - grant deadlines, conference presentations, a new capital campaign, the next fundraising gala, and other duties as assigned. You feel like you're a jack of all trades, but a master of none. How do you get to the place where you feel good enough and are okay with that? Join our conversation with Jess Pettitt, author of Good Enough Now, as she shares how to "do the best we can with what we have some of the time."

Grants are not free money. As stewards of someone else's money, whether the tax payers, a family foundation, or corporation, we are always responsible for adhering to the funder's rules. That means we have to be above board in all things: truthful grant writing, documenting all our expenses, and accurately reporting the results of our project. Sadly, there are always stories in the news about individuals and organizations who bend and break the rules, and these are their stories.

In October 2024, the latest changes to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (also known as 2 CFR Part 200 or Uniform Guidance) went into effect. Many changes were beneficial to grantees. And while this was recorded before the new administration started making drastic changes in the federal funding landscape, the Uniform Guidance as it stands is in effect until updated again.

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SHOW NOTES:

Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR Part 200) – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards – Where to find the most current version (and you should always go with source material over what is aired in a podcast!) - eCFR :: 2 CFR Part 200 -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

Update guidance of federal funders, and material used by Fundraising HayDay to help create this episode:

• Housing and Urban Development - https://hudgov-my.sharepoint.com/personal/daniel_s_celaya_hud_gov/Documents/2 CFR 200 Changes 2020 vs 2024 breakdown
• Environmental Protection Agency - What’s New in the Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision to 2 CFR 200 | US EPA
• Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - 2024 Part 200 Uniform Requirements Updates

OMB memorandum M-10-11 “Guidance on the Use of Challenges and Prizes to Promote Open Government” issued March 8, 2010 - Memoranda

To learn more about federal grant management, consider registering for the Grant Professionals Associations Next Level Grant University course on grant management - Next Level Grant Training - Grant Professionals Association

Ideally, grant seekers and grant makers should work hand in hand to better the communities they serve. Sadly, this does not always happen. Take a peak behind the philanthropic curtain as we discuss the life and experiences of a foundation program officer. Edgar Villanueva combines his heritage with his in-depth knowledge of the philanthripic sector to drive change in the nonprofit sector. Read more in his book Decolonizing Wealth and by listening to today's episode of Fundraising HayDay.

Fundraising HayDay continues the interview with Edgar Villanueva, author of Decolonizing Wealth. Hear about collaborating with funders, sharing your stories, and so much more. There's even a frank discussion on how not to reach out to your funder. Hint: following them into the bathroom after a presentation is not the best place for pitching a project idea. This is part 2 of our peak behind the philanthropic curtain.

Most funders want to know two things: did the organization do what they promised in the grant application and did they meet their listed goals and objectives. Evaluations are a key component of grant funded programs, and we're sharing tips on writing the evaluation section of a proposal and carrying through with your work during the management phase. In addition, we're celebrating Fundraising HayDay's 100th episode!

Grant funding can be used for travel, if the funder allows it. Your needs for travel expenses will vary from airline and hotel costs to reach a conference event to local mileage for traveling nurses to visit seniors in their homes. If federal funding is involved, there are some very specific rules about what you can and cannot do with travel funding. We’re talking about all those specifics to make sure you spend you grant funding appropriately.

As grant professionals, communication is the root of our work. Not only are we responsible for conveying information through the written word, but we must communicate with a variety of colleagues, subject matter experts, program directors, finance personnel, leaders, elected officials, funders, and more. We’re talking with Michelle Gladieux about the value and importance of communication, plus how we can be direct and vulnerable and diplomatic (through practice) to improve our communication skills.

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WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Michelle Gladieux

Gladieux Consulting

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Today we're talking with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, cohosts  of the Pantsuit Politics Podcast. They're known for their grace-filled political discussions, something all grant and fundraising professionals need to know a thing or two about. Join our conversation as we discuss the comeback of federal earmarks, collecting quality data, changing your mind, and having difficult conversations.