How Much Should You Request in Your Grant Proposal? How Much Do You Need?!

How Much Should You Request in Your Grant Proposal? How Much Do You Need?!

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “How do you know how much to request when drafting a foundation grant proposal?” Well, how much do you need? Folks, this isn’t rocket science and I refer, once again, to my constant mantra of “systems, systems, and systems.” Have you been researching...
It’s the Economy Stupid! What Smart Grantseekers Need to Know to Get Funds in Today’s Economy

It’s the Economy Stupid! What Smart Grantseekers Need to Know to Get Funds in Today’s Economy

“When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters-one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy The other day I was chatting with a fellow nonprofit consultant on Twitter about business and she noted that “organizations...
Behind the Scenes at a Grantmaking Foundation

Behind the Scenes at a Grantmaking Foundation

Have you ever wondered just exactly what goes on behind the scenes at a private, grantmaking foundation once your proposal is delivered? I was fortunate for the opportunity to work at a private, family foundation for over six years. I worked for them during their early days, when they were just beginning...
Direct Mail Dilemma: Re-solicit Existing Donors or Acquire New Donors?

Direct Mail Dilemma: Re-solicit Existing Donors or Acquire New Donors?

Faced with limited dollars, is it best to hit up existing donors again, or forage for new ones? Like many questions, the answer to this question depends? In his book, “Revolution in the Mailbox: Your Guide to Successful Direct Mail Fundraising (The Mal Warwick Fundraising Series),” Mal Warwick suggests...
How To Lose Donors & Persuade People To Hate You

How To Lose Donors & Persuade People To Hate You

I’m a big fan of John Carlton. For those who aren’t familiar with John’s work, he’s one of the highest paid copywriters in the world and a very successful marketer. He recently hosted a couple of events, one in San Francisco and the other in Las Vegas, and experienced some interesting hotel...