This week on the Nonprofit Jenni Show, Grant Writing Mentor Teresa Huff explains the basics of how grants work, how to find grants that are a good fit for your nonprofit, and how to build relationships with grant makers. She also talks about her podcast, Grant Writing Simplified, and free grant writing resources available on her website.
REMINDER: Get your nonprofit featured on the Nonprofit Jenni Show!
I can’t wait to tell you about my chat with Teresa. But first, I want to remind you that you can have your nonprofit featured on the Nonprofit Jenni Show’s upcoming 100th podcast episode!
If you want to have your nonprofit included in this special episode, please fill out this short form. (It will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.) The deadline to submit your nonprofit’s information is February 28, 2021.
3 FAQs About Grants
I probably asked Teresa Huff a dozen questions about grant writing on my latest podcast episode, and you can listen to the full episode here. But I want to highlight three questions I hear frequently from nonprofit leaders that you may be thinking right now:
1. Is it okay to create a new program (or a new element for your existing program) to obtain COVID-related grant funding?
Teresa talks about the balancing act between getting creative in describing your mission and programs to grant makers, and chasing after grant dollars by developing new programs or program elements. She explains that you should certainly highlight how your existing or future program aligns with a foundation’s mission and focus. However, starting a new program simply to obtain a specific grant is not a good idea.
Foundations want to support sustainable programs, and they want to see evidence that your program creates a real impact. It would not be a good look to create a program that can’t produce results or outlast grant funding.
2. Which grants are most worthwhile to pursue?
If your nonprofit is new to grant writing, Teresa recommends that you start small. Look at the grant opportunities from foundations local to your area. Usually, these grants are easier to write and can help you learn how the grant application, award, and reporting process works.
Next, Teresa suggests that you research each additional grant opportunity before deciding whether to apply. You may notice that:
Some grants are more competitive; you can look at how many organizations have historically received a grant in previous cycles to estimate how competitive it is.
Some grants will require more work for the application and/or the reporting process than others.
Some grants are only available to your nonprofit once, and then you may have to sit out of the next few grant cycles before you can reapply for the funding again.
Keep scrolling to find some of Teresa’s free resources to help you learn more about different grant opportunities!
3. Are grants available to cover operational or consulting costs?
Teresa says that most grants she comes across exist to fund specific nonprofit programs; not operational or consulting costs. When she finds grants that help cover overhead expenses, they generally come in smaller amounts.
Also, there are opportunities called “capacity-building grants” that can help your organization pay for certain types of consulting. For example, you may be able to find a grant that allows you to hire a consultant to facilitate your nonprofit’s strategic planning.
Listen to My Full Interview with Teresa
Listen now on Apple Podcasts
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Listen now on Google Podcasts
Resources from Grant Writing Simplified
Check out these resources from Teresa!
Teresa Huff’s Freebie Vault: Includes the “What a Grant Funder Really Wants” checklist and the “Lessons I Learned from 15 Years of Grant Writing” ebook.
Grant Funder Call Script: Learn what to say and how to say it when you call grantmakers for information about their grant opportunities.
Grant Writing Simplified Podcast: Be sure to check out Episode 25, featuring Nonprofit Jenni!
Don’t forget: I want to feature you on the podcast!
Before we wrap up, don’t forget to fill out this form so I can feature your nonprofit on the upcoming 100th episode of the Nonprofit Jenni Show!
I’ll walk you through the steps for recording a short audio segment for the podcast. If your nonprofit is selected for the episode, I’ll also help promote your organization’s social media accounts and email list!
The deadline to submit your information is February 28, 2021.