Grant Writing Simplified

In this shorter, experimental format episode of Grant Writing Simplified, Teresa shares insights on the importance of asking different questions to navigate challenges in the nonprofit sector.   Drawing from her experiences leading workshops and serving as a sounding board for nonprofit leaders, Teresa encourages listeners to step back from their frustrations and conventional problem-solving approaches. She emphasizes the value of exploring problems more deeply and considering alternatives to the status quo, without necessarily seeking immediate solutions.    Teresa challenges you to apply this approach in your team discussions and collaborative efforts, suggesting that asking the right questions can unlock new paths forward. She also references her TEDx talk for further exploration of this topic and teases future interviews and resources aimed at aiding nonprofit strategies and grant writing careers.   00:00 What do you think of this format?    00:21 Preparing for a Nonprofit Workshop: Insights and Challenges   01:01 The Power of Asking Different Questions   02:11 A Challenge to Think Differently   02:40 TEDx Talk and Upcoming Resources   03:17 Encouragement and Closing Thoughts   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: https://teresahuff.com/share-quiz/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12544635/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffteresa/ https://www.instagram.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://youtube.com/@grantwritingsimplified Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

In this episode, I'm doing something a little different. I was recently invited to be a podcast guest on the Marketer of the Day podcast by Robert Plank and I was happy to do that. It was such a fun conversation. He asked such really good questions that I thought, why not share it here with you as well! We talk about grant writing, nonprofit strategies, and making a lasting impact in communities through grant opportunities. We also address how important it is to build solid relationships with grantmakers to achieve success. I think you're going to love this episode!   On this episode: Introduction   Flipping the Script   Diving Deep into Grant Writing   The Art of Grant Writing: Making an Impact   Success Stories and Strategies in Nonprofit Funding   The Process and Strategy Behind Effective Grant Writing   Expanding Your Grant Writing Skills and Network   Final Thoughts and How to Connect   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: https://teresahuff.com/share-quiz/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12544635/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffteresa/ https://www.instagram.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://youtube.com/@grantwritingsimplified Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Book a 1:1 strategy call with Teresa Huff: www.teresahuff.com/mentor   In this episode of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast, I have a fascinating conversation with Chris Ekimoff, a forensic accountant specializing in litigation consulting and forensic accounting services. Chris discusses the importance of financial vigilance and proactiveness in nonprofits to prevent fraud and financial mismanagement. He emphasizes that it's not about fostering suspicion but about creating awareness and setting up good systems, checks, and balances. We touch upon various topics, including the value of having financial or legal professionals on nonprofit boards, the necessity of self-awareness and admitting organizational weaknesses, and the idea of 'trust but verify' to maintain a healthy and transparent nonprofit culture. We advocate for collaboration among nonprofits to learn and grow together, emphasizing that it's not a competitive but a collective mission to serve communities better. This conversation is aimed at helping nonprofits understand the significance of good financial practices and how to implement them to ensure their organization's and mission's sustainability.   00:00 Welcome and Workshop Announcement   00:47 Introducing Forensic Accounting with Chris Ekimoff   03:36 Chris Ekimoff's Unique Background and Forensic Accounting Explained   05:01 The Importance of Forensic Accounting in Nonprofits   13:32 Practical Steps for Nonprofits to Prevent Fraud   19:58 The Balance of Trust and Compliance in Nonprofit Culture   27:25 Navigating Your Career with Skiing Wisdom   28:18 Strategic Planning for Nonprofits   31:23 The Power of Collaboration in the Nonprofit Sector   33:57 Elevating Nonprofit Impact: Moving Upstream   37:31 Cultivating a Culture of Openness and Improvement   45:56 Leveraging Professional and Personal Resources   48:20 Connecting and Sharing Resources for Nonprofit Success   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: https://teresahuff.com/share-quiz/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12544635/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffteresa/ https://www.instagram.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://youtube.com/@grantwritingsimplified Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Book a 1:1 strategy call with Teresa Huff: www.teresahuff.com/mentor The Crucial Role of Data in Non-profit Grant Funding In this episode, I'm diving deep into why data collection and tracking are absolute game-changers for non-profit organizations, especially when it comes to snagging those crucial grant funds. I'm all about getting the full picture, which means not just crunching numbers but also capturing those heartwarming stories that truly showcase our impact.  I'll walk you through a handy five-question guide to evaluate your current data practices, because let's face it, we can always level up.  From day one, I'm all about data – using it to back up our relevance, measure our progress, and guide our decisions at every turn. We'll also chat about how to navigate those pesky constraints in data collection and even how to weave stories seamlessly into our data narrative. Plus, we'll explore techniques for tracking trends and spotting behavior change.  Stick around as we cover data-driven goodness from start to finish!   00:00 Introduction and Webinar Recap 00:48 The Importance of Data in Grant Applications 01:41 The Role of Data in Nonprofit Operations 02:01 When and How to Start Collecting Data 02:57 The ROI Framework and Data 04:01 Understanding Internal and External Data 04:26 Quantitative vs Qualitative Data 05:51 Challenges in Data Collection and Creative Solutions 08:24 Using Data to Inform Programs and Engage Stakeholders 08:42 Five Questions to Evaluate Your Data Collection   Challenge Question: Is your data reflecting a realistic picture of your impact? If not, do you need to adjust? Read the full show notes: www.teresahuff.com/149   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: https://teresahuff.com/share-quiz/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12544635/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/huffteresa/ https://www.instagram.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingsimplified/ https://youtube.com/@grantwritingsimplified Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   As we dive into the hustle of year-end activities, the race to finish strong is on for nonprofit leaders, grant writers, and consultants. In this busy season, we need to recognize that finishing well may mean finishing with rest and recovery.  Let's take a cue from coaches and explore the strategic use of timeouts to navigate the challenges and finish the year on a high note. Acknowledge the Chaos: Embrace the Timeout The year-end rush can often feel like a relentless marathon. Acknowledge the chaos, and don't be afraid to embrace a timeout. Recognizing the need for a breather is not a sign of weakness, but rather a strategic move to ensure your team sustains momentum. This is even true if you're a team of one. Team Focus: Pay Attention to Needs Whether you're leading a team or flying solo, pay close attention to the needs of those around you. A timeout isn't just for your benefit; it's an opportunity to assess the collective energy and well-being of your team. Understanding their needs ensures you're all on the same page and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Timeout Lessons from Coaches To top off the busy holiday season, many people are involved in sports as well. We can borrow a lesson from coaches and the 5 common reasons they call a timeout during the game: Break the Momentum Change Your Strategy Correct Mistakes Rest Motivate Your Players Sometimes, a timeout is more than just a break. It's a chance to regroup, refocus, and deliver a pep talk that motivates your team for the challenges that lie ahead. Timeout Wisdom: Not Giving Up, but Leveling Up Calling a timeout isn't the equivalent of throwing in the towel. On the contrary, it's a smart and strategic move.  As the year draws to a close, remember that effective leadership involves knowing when to push forward and when to pause. So, take that timeout, recharge, and set the stage for a successful finish to the year. To read today's full episode:  The Power of Pause: 5 Reasons to Call Timeout in Your Nonprofit To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question: Do you need to call a timeout?   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Celebrating Three Years of Grant Writing Simplified It's been three years since I launched the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast, and it's been an amazing journey. The show has over 100,000 downloads from over 140 countries across six continents. I've made friends all over the world and we've come together as a community. I'm incredibly grateful for my team's hard work and dedication in making the show possible. Shifting the Conversations Around Nonprofit Work In the world of grants, we need to think beyond just the money. If you've listened to my TEDx talk, we need to focus on the Return on Impact (ROI). Funders need to know they will get a return for investing in your nonprofit.  To build a successful ROI, nonprofits need to be Relevant, Optimized, and Interact authentically. Once we lock all three of those in, that's when we can really make progress and we can get results around our impact. It's important that we are helping people understand that. Nonprofits play an important role in educating the world about their mission. Grants aren't a quick fix; nonprofit work is a long game. There's an urgency now more than ever to support nonprofits, to shift some things in the sector, to change the conversations around nonprofit work. I can't do it myself. But I can help give you the tools, the ideas, the verbiage and help you become more comfortable with the conversations. I talked to a lot of nonprofit leaders, grant writers, and consultants. There's a need to shift the conversation about how we support nonprofits, how we support funding, how we show up.  I get a lot of questions about grants from nonprofits who have heard, “Oh, you should get grant funding. There are grants out there that'll fix everything.” Ouch! There seems to be this mindset that grants are the easy answer, when in reality that's getting a little bit ahead of themselves if they don't have the other pieces in place. Many nonprofits still have some work to do in this area. I know that's hard to hear a little bit of tough love, but some time invested in the right things can really pay off down the road.  Grants aren't a quick fix; they're not quick money. They're not an overnight way to fund your nonprofit. They're a really small part of a much bigger fundraising plan, and you need those pieces in place. Grants are more of a long-term seed planting and cultivating to build those relationships over time to build out your strategy effectively.  An old proverb says, “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be only afraid of standing still. Growing slowly produces deep roots.” That's true in this context as well. With nonprofit work and with grants, it does take time just like planting seeds. You can't be digging them up and checking them every day to see if the seeds are growing. You have to tend and cultivate and water and let the seeds do their work. Same with grants and nonprofits, We have to cultivate and care for them and provide the right environment and the right conditions.  Booking a Mentor-On-Call Strategy Call If you're feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants, then a Mentor On Call Strategy Call may be a helpful next step. You can book a one on one Zoom call with me to get feedback on any questions you may have and access to an expert. You'll get clear action steps to keep moving forward and new strategies to level up. Holiday Zoom Party To celebrate the holidays, I'm hosting a Holiday Zoom Party! This is a chance to hang out on Zoom, ask mentor questions, share stories about grants, and celebrate the holidays together. Be sure to sign up for my email list or message me on LinkedIn to get an invitation to the Zoom Party. To read today's full episode:  Celebrating Three Years of Grant Writing Simplified To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question:  What do you need to have in place before you start looking for grants? Join us for the Holiday Zoom Party and let's chat about it!   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Interested in hopping on a small group call with me? Sign up at www.teresahuff.com/help and I'll keep you in the loop! Unlocking Grant Funding: Moving Beyond Ideas and Building Impactful Programs As summer winds down, I'm seeing renewed energy in the world of fundraising and grants. With this transition, a common question is echoing through conversations—both in my inbox and across online forums. It goes something like this, "I've got an amazing idea. Can I get a grant to fund it?” Or others ask, “Why aren't funders supporting my groundbreaking idea?"  Let's dig into this topic and shed light on why grantmakers seek more than just brilliant ideas. We'll explore the art of turning ideas into impactful programs, a journey that requires Relevance, Optimization, and Interaction. The Power of Moving Beyond Ideas Remembering my TEDx talk and our recent episodes, you might remember the three pillars of building your ROI: Relevant, Optimize, and Interact. These pillars pave the way for a tangible Return on Impact. Ideas, while important sparks, are only the beginning. The question is: Is your idea Relevant, is it Optimized for action, and are you actively Interacting with others in authentic ways to gather their input? Ideas: The Starting Point Ideas are like stars in the sky—plentiful and enchanting. We all have them, and they're often fleeting. Just as you might contemplate getting ice cream after dinner, ideas come and go. But securing grant funding requires more than fleeting notions. It necessitates a solid, active program in motion. From Ideas to Relevance: The Story of Dooshima Let's rewind a bit to a strategy call I had with Dooshima. She had an incredible idea—a passion born from personal experience, a desire to transform maternal healthcare in rural communities. However, she faced the challenge of translating that passion into a program that grantmakers could champion. The story resonates because countless people are brimming with such stories of need and possibility. Listen to the episode to hear Dooshima's question and my advice to her. Elevating Your Impact with Strategy Calls Don't stress if you're at the idea stage—that's an exciting beginning. All good programs start with ideas. If you're seeking direction, strategy calls can be your guiding light. In these sessions we'll map out a clear roadmap, transforming your ideas into actionable steps. Whether you're starting from scratch or amplifying an existing program, strategy calls provide the momentum you need to make a real difference. Embrace Change and Spark Transformation As you navigate the world of grants and funding, remember that your idea is just the start. Embrace the journey of turning that idea into a program that's rooted in Relevance, Optimized for success, and backed by meaningful Interactions. Grant funding isn't just about receiving financial support—it's about igniting change, improving lives, and leaving a lasting impact. So, let's roll up our sleeves, build those impactful programs, and together, let's change the world for the better. To read today's full episode: From Ideas to Impact: Unveiling the Key to Successful Grant Funding To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question:  What's one idea where you need to take action? Let me know and we'll brainstorm together! And if you need extra support, book a call at www.teresahuff.com/mentor. Resources: Episode 96 - Nonprofit Strategy Call: Gaining Clarity for a Nonprofit's Next Steps Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Interested in hopping on a small group call with me? Sign up at www.teresahuff.com/help and I'll keep you in the loop! We Constantly Talk About Learning. But What About Unlearning? We all know lifelong learning matters. I'm constantly encouraging you to pick up new skills, strategies, and ways of thinking to stay sharp and relevant. But here's the thing—sometimes we need to let go of the old to make room for the new. As crucial as learning is, unlearning may be just as vital to our growth and ability to adapt. When We're Stuck, It's Often Because We Need to Unlearn I was thinking about this the other day and realized that when we try implementing new things but just can't move forward, it could be because we need to unlearn outdated habits or mindsets blocking our progress. If we want to reach the next level personally or professionally, we likely need to release our white-knuckled grip on the status quo. Because here's the hard truth: what got you here won't necessarily get you there. And what got you here will also keep you here. Pursuing Innovation May Require Unlearning For example, as you learn exciting new tools and strategies (like AI!), approach them with openness to unlearn any preconceived notions or processes that may close you off to new breakthroughs or ways of working. Don't let fear of the unknown prevent you from trying something new. Signs You May Need to Unlearn Something: You complain about being stuck but keep doing the same things You resist feedback or suggestions from others You feel overwhelmed trying to learn new skills on top of old ones You find yourself thinking "I already know this" rather than actively listening Why Unlearning Matters The bottom line? Lifelong learning matters—and lifelong unlearning does too. Progress requires releasing comfortable but constraining ways of thinking and doing to create space for the new. Reexamine your assumptions, habits, and beliefs through curiosity, not defensiveness. Unlearning Propels You Forward Unlearning isn't easy, but it can propel you forward. By letting go, you make room for progress to grow. I believe in you, my friends!   To read today's full episode: The Art of Letting Go: Why Unlearning is as Important as Learning To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.  Challenge Questions: What old habits or mindsets can you let go of to pursue breakthroughs? Where might you be clinging to the status quo out of fear? How can you become more open to feedback and growth? I'd love to hear about your work, so shoot me an email and let's chat! Resources Mentioned: Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Revisiting the ROI Journey It's time for a heart-to-heart about a topic that's close to all our missions: authentic interactions in this tech-savvy world. So grab your favorite cup of inspiration, settle in, and let's dive into the final chapter of our ROI journey – the all-important art of Interacting. Remember when we kicked off this ROI conversation? In nonprofit work, grantmakers are looking for a Return on Impact. We broke down the pillars of my ROI Framework: Relevance, Optimize, and Interact. We chatted about being Relevant in Episode 135, and the importance of Optimizing in Episode 136. Now we're going to come back to discussInteract, the juiciest slice of the ROI pie. The Human Touch in the Age of AI While we're on the subject of Interacting, let's address the elephant in the digital room – AI. Yes, it's impressive, and it's changing the game. But guess what? It won't replace the magic that happens between humans. Amidst the buzz, never forget that there's a flesh-and-blood person on the other end of every click, every tap, every email. So, you might wonder, how do we use AI without losing our humanity? Great question! We use it to optimize, to fine-tune our approach, but not to replace the essence of what makes us connect – genuine, heart-to-heart communication. Whether it's a grant application, an email, or a good old-fashioned phone call, we're speaking to people, not bank accounts. Remember Adam Witty's golden words, "Business moves at the speed of trust." Well, guess what? That's our rhythm too! In the nonprofit world, trust is the currency that fuels our impact. Trust is what propels us forward even before the race begins. We've had some great conversations about this already. In Episode 105, Kevin Fitzpatrick shared how meeting donors face-to-face is more than just dollars and cents – it's about human connection. In Episode 133, Sherry Quam Taylor urged us to be curious, to ask questions that uncover stories and passions. She challenged us to ask questions like, “How did you become so generous?” and then listen. And then there's Derik Timmerman's challenge from Episode 143 – have coffee with 90 people in 90 days. Can you imagine the support network of relationships we can grow in that time? Let's talk to those grantmakers, those nonprofits, those potential partners. Let's dive deep, listen closely, and build bridges that carry our impact far beyond ourselves. Return on Impact isn't just about numbers; it's about the ripples of change we create, the lives we touch, and the legacy we weave. To read today's full episode: Humanity in the Age of AI: Navigating Authentic Connections for Lasting Impact To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question: How will you build your Interactions this week? I'd love to hear about your work, so shoot me an email and let's chat! Resources Mentioned: Episode 105 - Creating Clarity Around How to Obtain Major Gifts for Your Nonprofit Episode 133 - How Design, Creativity and Relationships Intersect With Budget Transparency Episode 143 - Formula for Nonprofit Success: Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip The Truth About Grant Readiness If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know I'm a big advocate for grant readiness, because the more prepared you are before you start, the better chance you have of winning a grant. But I'm also a big believer in taking action. The truth is, grant readiness is a lot like parenting. You need a certain amount of stability, but you're never really 100% ready. At some point, you have to just start and then learn as you go. My friend Derik Timmerman founded Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions to help nonprofits succeed in their fundraising. In this episode of Grant Writing Simplified, Derik tells the story of how Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions started when he realized he had to get a little rowdy, and how you can energize your board members while you get the critical grant readiness pieces in place. Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains Most nonprofits are full of passion for their cause and determination to stick with it, but they struggle with the business mindset in one of two ways. Either they lack the business knowledge needed to run a nonprofit, or they don't realize the impact they can have when they think outside the box.  It takes more than heart and grit to run a nonprofit. It requires a combination and a balance of heart, grit, and brains to see the mission truly take off. You need all three in tandem. Derik explains further about the importance of business elements in nonprofits and the core elements of grant readiness. Your nonprofit needs just four elements in place before you can win grants through EasyGrant. Why do we exist? Forming your mission. What is a win? Creating a vision. Who are when when we're winning? Defining values. How do we win? Developing a strategy. If you can't answer these four questions, Derik can help through a board retreat called BoardSpark. BoardSpark is especially helpful for languishing boards, if the board is in a transition, or if it's been a long time since the board evaluated the organizational mission, vision, values, and key habits. Derik has seen many struggling nonprofit board members leave re-energized in their work. While passion and persistence are necessary ingredients for impact in the nonprofit world, we need to mix them with equal parts business acumen and daring creativity. Consider how you can take your next step today. To read today's full episode: Formula for Nonprofit Success: Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question:  When you consider your nonprofit, do you know why you exist, what is a win, who are you when you are winning, and how do you win? I'd love to hear about your organization, so shoot me an email! Meet Derik Timmerman Derik Timmerman is the Founder of Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions, a nationwide consulting firm helping nonprofits maximize their world-changing impact. In addition to coaching nonprofit professionals at all levels, Derik is a nationally-recognized speaker and author on a variety of nonprofit subjects including fundraising, grant research/writing, and board development.  Prior to founding Sparrow, Derik was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and a US Army Intelligence Officer with two combat deployments to Iraq. Derik earned a Bachelor's in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, as well as a Masters, PhD, and CFRE certification in fundraising. Derik has a passion for chocolate chip cookies, burning them off on nearby hiking trails with his three boys, and living out his life's core purpose of building factories of hope. Connect with Derik Timmerman: MyEasyGrant.com LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: 40 Laws of Nonprofit Impact Monday.com Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions: Gala Guide Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions: BoardSpark Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Streamlining Systems for Nonprofit Success Can you believe we're already nearing the end of summer? As we charge ahead into the second half of 2023, now is a great time to pause and evaluate whether your nonprofit's systems are working optimally for you. A while back, we talked about my favorite tech tools and the importance of systems for grant strategy. With the development of AI and emerging technology, it's more important than ever to understand the strategy behind your systems so you can use them most effectively. Today, let's dive deeper into other critical systems to consider as a nonprofit. If you feel your organization could use some fine-tuning in these areas, no worries! Reach out anytime to schedule an advisory session - we can shore things up to end the year strong and kick off 2024 organized and ready. For a comprehensive guide to crafting effective systems, be sure to check out my Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Program. Key Systems for Nonprofit Success Over the years, I've used many different systems to streamline my grant writing business. Even though I now focus on coaching and strategy, having robust systems in place remains crucial. Some key areas for nonprofits to track include: Digital and paper file organization Password management (I love LastPass!) Calendar with recurring task reminders Note-taking and action items Contact management Donor updates Budget and finances Internal communications Strategic planning Fundraising and grants Program data collection and reporting Mapping big goals into daily tasks Are Your Systems Serving You? While well-designed systems are invaluable, let's keep it real - we all have off days! The key is not getting stuck in reactionary mode and knowing which systems are truly mission-critical. Can Automating Help Your Nonprofit Work? Look for signs like: Dropped balls or missed deadlines Repetitive administrative tasks Re-explaining processes frequently Missing key data for grant applications This indicates it may be time to optimize your systems! Identifying areas to automate can free up time and energy for your most important work. The time invested now will pay dividends as we progress through 2023 and beyond. Reach out any time to strategize streamlining systems tailored for your nonprofit's needs. Here's to a smooth and successful second half of the year! To read today's full episode: Streamline Systems for Nonprofit Success To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question: What is one system or workflow you can evaluate this month to help streamline your nonprofit's operations? I'd love to hear about your organization, so shoot me an email! Resources Mentioned: LastPass Secure Passwords Episode 21: Tips for Successful Grant Writing & Federal Grant Project Management: Interview with Brandi VanAntwerp, CoxHealth Foundation Grants Administrator Episode 52: Business Building: The Tech Tools I Use Most in My Grant Writing Business Episode 62: Pro Tips to Step Up Your Nonprofit Grant Strategy with Systems Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Mid-Year Check-In It's hard to believe the summer is half over already! Where did the year go? I don't know about you, but I'm a goal-setter, so mid-year is a good time to check in on my progress. Like most years, I've had a lot of unexpected things come up. It's a process of learning to roll with the changes and adjust as I go. As I evaluate how to move forward for the rest of this year, I thought it would be a good time to share a few tips I've learned to help you reach your goals. Make Progress with Micro-Habits One method of goal-setting is to set up micro-habits. Rather than setting ourselves up for failure with a huge goal we likely won't reach, where can we create micro-habits to set ourselves up for a nearly 100% win? Those have a surprisingly compounding effect. Micro-habits are small actions that help lead us towards our goals. They're easy to accomplish consistently and have a compounding effect. 7 Steps for Setting Micro-Habits for Success Assess Your Progress: Look at your goals from the beginning of the year. Are you on track? Have you accomplished what you hoped for by now? Don't be too hard on yourself if your progress isn't exactly where you expected it to be. Instead, use this time to evaluate, adjust, and adapt. Be Flexible Choose to adapt when life throws unexpected things at you. Keep pushing forward and don't give up. Be Deliberate When unexpected opportunities or hurdles come, deliberately decide where these things fit in the bigger picture. Be sure to pace yourself and take a rest when you need to. Be Intentional Be intentional when choosing your micro-habit. Consider the larger goal of who or what you want to become and identify a habit that will help you get there. Define and visualize where you want to be in the next month, three months, or by the end of the year. Be Strategic Identify areas where consistent action will have a meaningful impact on your larger objectives. Then integrate micro-habits into your existing daily routine by choosing a trigger. A trigger is a specific time or event in your day that serves as a reminder to do the new habit. Be Accountable Setting goals, micro-habits, and triggers is only half the battle. We all need accountability to stay on track. If you need an accountability partner, shoot me an email. Stay Clear on Your Vision Make sure your bigger purpose is clear. Why are you doing this? What will this move you closer to? That will help you stay motivated and on track. The key is to set a trigger and stick to it, because it takes about a month for a behavior to become a routine. By setting deliberate micro-habits strategically aligned with our bigger picture, we can actively work towards becoming better versions of ourselves each day. And you don't have to do it alone; I'm here to support you.  Keep pushing forward; you've got this! To read today's full episode: Mid-Year Goal Check: Assess Your Progress and Set Micro-Habits for Success To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question: What micro-habit will you commit to every day for the next 30 days? Resources Mentioned: Other Grant Writing Simplified podcasts to help you reach your goals: Leadership Lessons from a Green Beret: How to Lead for Success Master of One: The Role of Excellence in Our Work 5 Easy Grant Writing Tips to Build Strategic, Lasting Relationships Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip ROI for Foodies I enjoy watching some of the Food Network challenges because it's fun to discover new baking ideas. While watching an episode last week, I noticed another reason the competitions are so much fun to watch. Grant writers and Food Network competitors go through a similar process in hopes of winning money. To win the prize, we all have to show the judges how they will get a Return on Investment - or in the case of nonprofits, a Return on Impact - by investing in us. In my TEDx talk, I explain how the key to writing a winning grant is to show the grant funder the Return on Impact (ROI) they'll get. Funders aren't looking for a return on investment like a for-profit business. Instead, grantmakers want to give grants to organizations they know will make an impact on the community, just like the judges on the Food Network want to invest in chefs that will contribute to the baking community and represent the Food Network well. 9 Ways Food Network Challenges are Like Grant Writing: The judges provide clear instructions and a goal before the competition begins. The competitors can be creative, but they still have to stay within defined parameters. The competitors have to make a reduction to eliminate any fluff or distractions. (Check out Episode 16 for examples of how to do this in grant writing!) The challenge always includes a tight deadline, so competitors have to practice and be prepared to thrive under pressure. Competitors must adapt quickly when mistakes and unexpected hurdles occur. Judges love a good story, as long as it is relevant and concise. Participants must present a complete, finished product. Most competitors won't win the prize, but they don't give up on their dream. Before the participants do anything, they sketch out their vision and devise a strategy to transform that dream to reality.  Many competitors skip the vision and strategy and go straight for writing the grant, but this should actually be the first thing both grant writers and Food Network competitors do. Without a vision and goal, there's no direction, only chaos and confusion. Conclusion Your ROI isn't just a formula for how to position the grant for funders. It's also a vision for your organization. It's your nonprofit's lighthouse. The return you want to give your funders is the same as the impact you want to have on your community, it's the reason you do this work every day; it's what keeps you anchored so you don't drift from your mission.  To read today's full episode:  9 Ways Food Network Challenges Mirror the Grant Writing Process To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.     Challenge Question:  Which Food Network lesson do you need to implement or improve upon in your work? Resources Mentioned: Grant Writing Simplified Episode 16: How to Write Tight Storytelling Series: Episode 58: Are You Telling Your Nonprofit Story? How Coffee Mugs Are Like Grant Writing. Episode 59: How to Tell Your Nonprofit Story Through Video. Episode 60: 5 Questions for a More Compelling Nonprofit Story. Episode 64: Using Data to Tell Nonprofit Stories: 6 Tips to Flex Your Grant Writing Muscles. Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip The Link Between Competition and a Scarcity Mindset Competition is at the heart of every grant application, and a scarcity mindset can come from a position of competition. Many nonprofits work on a very limited budget, so the struggle with a scarcity mindset is common. After all, you wouldn't be applying for grants if you already had the money, right? Nonprofits applying for the same grant are likely providing parallel services to a similar demographic, so the unfortunate reality is that organizations fighting for the same cause are competing with one another for funds and therefore, feeding the sector-wide scarcity mindset.  In today's podcast, retired Army Colonel Dr. Vincent Lindenmeyer helps us think creatively to work collaboratively with otherwise competing organizations so both teams can overcome the scarcity mindset and get more done. What Collaboration and Grant Funding Look Like Together During his 26 years in the US Army, Vince specialized in engineering, logistics management, and strategic studies, so he knows what creative collaboration looks like. He now applies his knowledge and experience to the nonprofit sector. As principal of Beacon 4sight Group, Vince helps women, veterans, minorities, persons with disabilities, and the formerly incarcerated start nonprofits and businesses to create economic growth for equality and justice. Many of Vince's clients begin with little more than a dream, but he helps them get their nonprofit started in 90 days. He knows the power of creative collaboration to overcome scarcity. Like-minded organizations need to share resources, time, and talent to create in-kind partnerships based on trading complimentary skills and backgrounds. 7 Empowering Benefits of Working Collaboratively Wonderful things can happen when organizations work together: Extra personnel Everyone gets more done when you have more hands on deck working toward the same goals. Share tips and tricks Share knowledge to solve problems and work more efficiently. Stronger bottom line Struggling nonprofits become stronger by giving and receiving resources and expertise. Larger network Collaboration breeds collaboration, so when you partner with an organization, you will also get to work with their connections. Stay in your lane Collaboration means sharing complementary skills to boost each other's weaknesses so you can focus on your strengths. Increased visibility and community awareness When you get more done together, both organizations get a piece of the spotlight to bring awareness to both your cause and your brand. Celebrate your wins together Collaboration means having more to celebrate and more people to celebrate with! If we truly want to make things better and improve our mission, then we have to cooperate. It's not about us. It's not about the scarcity. It's so much more. We have to work together. We have to ask ourselves how we can give back to the community and improve each other's mission, whether or not it comes back directly to us. To read today's full episode: 7 Reasons Working Collaboratively Helps Your Team Get More Done To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.     Challenge Question:  Where do you see a scarcity in your nonprofit? Can you identify another organization with whom to collaborate to turn the scarcity into abundance?   Meet Dr. Vince Lindenmeyer (from https://beacon4today.com/resources/) Dr. Vince Lindenmeyer, Colonel, US Army (Retired), is a Principal of the Beacon 4sight Group that helps women, veterans, minorities, persons with disabilities, and the formerly incarcerated start nonprofits and businesses to create economic growth for equality and justice. Colonel Lindenmeyer served a 26-year career with overseas tours to Korea, Egypt, Qatar, and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star Medal. As an educator, Dr. Lindenmeyer has taught face-to-face and distance learning over the past 20-years. He earned a BS in Systems Engineering (West Point, United States Military Academy), master's degrees (three) in Logistics Management, M.Ed., an MA in Strategic Studies, and a Ph.D. in Education.  Connect with Vince Beacon4Today.com Email: vince@beacon4today.com LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets, written by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, and Kevin Maney "Iron" Mike Steadman - Ironbound Thrive Initiative - Free Business Coaching for Young Urban Entrepreneurs A Course in Miracles, written by Foundation For Inner Peace  The Basics of a Course in Miracles Audible, written and narrated by Marianne Williamson, published by Better Listen Northeast Louisiana Arts Council Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Ask Not What the Funder Can Do for You… In our last episode, we talked about how your nonprofit can stay relevant to funders, in the community, and as a grant writer. Today we're going to talk about how to write stronger grant proposals and build relationships with funders by aligning the relevance of your program to their mission. I talked about relevance in my TEDx Talk, “The Real ROI of Grant Writing.” Funders need to know they will get a Return on Impact for investing in your nonprofit. This means you need to convince the funder that your nonprofit is Relevant, Optimized, and Interacting in meaningful ways. If you haven't already, you can watch my TEDx talk on YouTube.  How Strategic Positioning Can Help Build Your ROI Grant writers look for grants that will help the nonprofit reach their organizational goals. Of course funders have goals too, but their goals are not necessarily related to the success of your organization.  A funder's mission is to serve the community in a specific way. For a nonprofit, strategic positioning is about writing a grant proposal from the funder's priorities. The funder wants to know how investing in your nonprofit will help them accomplish their goals, not yours.   To convince the funder they will get the most return on impact by investing in your nonprofit, show them how your organization is relevant to their goals. They need to see how your program will help the external community, even if it's building your internal capacity.   You can do that by strategically positioning the grant to show how your nonprofit aligns with their goals. 5 Tips to Align Your Program with a Funder's Goals Oswald Chambers wrote, “Life serves back in the coin you pay.” Let's keep that in mind in the context of our grant writing work. Look at the bigger picture, the overall context in which your organization has an impact, and consider how you are serving and giving to the community. Then write the grant from a position of service.  Five ways to show how your organization serves the funder's mission: Present your value exchange as a gift Offer something that is meaningful to them Ensure your goals align Explain how your program will help them accomplish their goals Help them envision the end results To read today's full episode: 5 Easy Grant Writing Tips to Build Strategic, Lasting Relationships To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.   Challenge Question: How will you position your grant proposal from an attitude of service? ResourcesMentioned: Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip    

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Welcome, Up-and-Coming World Changers! Are you thinking about a career in grant writing, but don't know where to start? I have a passion to train and equip grant writers with the skills they need to be successful because I had an amazing mentor who helped me get started. In today's episode of Grant Writing Simplified, I had a blast talking shop with my friend and fellow grant writing mentor, Holly Rustic. After nearly twenty years as a grant writing consultant, Holly has dedicated herself to teaching a tribe of grant writers to drive positive change for nonprofits while having an abundant lifestyle. In this episode, we talk about the top questions we hear from new grant writers. You'll benefit from our combined forty years of grant writing experience and get answers to your top freelance grant writing questions. Top Questions from New Grant Writers Grab a pen and notepad because you're about to get loads of actionable guidance and practical advice as Holly and I share everything we wish we had known when we started grant writing, such as: Where do I start? What kind of experience do I need? Should I write for free? How do I negotiate prices and rate increases? How can I avoid misunderstandings with clients? How do I present my value as a grant writer to potential clients? What is a Master Grant Template and how will it help you make the world a better place? …And much more! To read today's full episode: Expert Answers to Your Top Questions on How to Become a Grant Writer To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.     Challenge Question: What skills can you learn, develop, or adapt to grant writing? Make a list, choose one skill, and decide what you will do to move forward.   Meet Holly Rustick: Holly has nearly two decades of experience helping nonprofit organizations and grant writers (and volunteers, board members, and everyday people!) get funding. She has learned a lot over the years and has dedicated herself to teaching a tribe of grant writers to drive positive change for nonprofits while having an abundant lifestyle. Connect with Holly: GrantWritingandFunding.com YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Resources Mentioned: Nonprofit Consulting Conference Online The Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing: Tips, Tools, & Templates to Write Winning Grants Other Resources: Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip The ROI of Grant Writing In my recent TEDx Talk, I talked about the Real ROI of Grant Writing. In the business world, ROI means Return on Investment, but it's a different mindset in the world of grants. We're talking about a Return on Impact. In today's podcast episode, I'll tell you more about the R in the ROI of grant writing and how knowing this can save you frustration and time so you can write more proposals.  What is the ROI Framework? Funders need to know they will get a Return on Impact for investing in your nonprofit. This means you need to convince the funder that your nonprofit is Relevant, Optimized, and Interacting in meaningful ways.  ROI of Grant Writing:  Relevant Optimized Interacting 5 Steps to Evaluate Relevance One question I wish more nonprofits would consider is, “How do I know if my organization is relevant?” I recommend the following five steps to determine if and how  your organization is relevant to the community, the funders, and the grants you are applying for: Determine if organization is truly relevant in the community. Take a critical look at your mission and goals to evaluate if you are serving a real need in the community. Make sure you have the statistics and testimonials to back up your mission statement. If necessary, go back and define your goals more closely.    Analyze if your organization is relevant to the funder's mission and goals. Make sure you are applying to funders whose mission and goals align with yours. There are consequences to both your organization and the funder if you just chase the money.  Now that you've determined your organization is relevant in the community, and your mission is relevant to the funders, the next step is to find relevant grants. Avoid irrelevant research. Research can be fun, but there are millions of grants and many ways to search. Don't get lost in the never-ending grant search rabbit trail. You don't need ALL the grants; you just need to find the good-fit grants. To read today's full episode: Nonprofit ROI: 5 Tips to Stay Relevant to Funders and Win More Grants  To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.     Challenge Question: Do you need to narrow your focus? Are you clear on what that is?   Resources Mentioned: Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions. Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip As a grant writer for about two decades and winning over $7M for my clients, I've learned that grant writing isn't magic, but there is a formula to increase your chances of winning grant. Today I'm sharing my secret sauce with you in my TEDx Talk! You can read the abbreviated version below or watch the full presentation (complete with pictures!) on YouTube.  Where NOT to Start with Grant Writing Imagine you're at work when your boss walks by and says, "Hey, I need a favor. I'm supposed to help at the youth shelter fundraiser on Saturday and I can't make it. Can you step in for me?" As a team player and fan of the youth program, you say, "You bet! Happy to." Relieved, he says, “Thanks, you're the best!” On the way out, he adds, "Oh, by the way, it's a marathon. Just get some good running shoes and you'll be fine." Wait - what? A marathon? I don't know about you, but I'm sure not ready for a marathon on Saturday. …Yet I hear the equivalent of this all the time in the nonprofit world. People hear someone wants to start a nonprofit and say, "Oh, you should just get a grant for that!" Or, "You need a new building? I've heard there's grant funding out there.” Grants aren't that simple. You don't “just” get a grant. Like training for a marathon, grants require preparation, strategy, and hard work. Successful grant writing takes consistent effort, uncovering misconceptions, and willingness to approach strategy through a new lens. We must look at grants as part of a much bigger process. Start with ROI In business, we know investors are looking for a Return on Investment, or ROI. We put money in and calculate, "How much profit will I get back?" In the nonprofit world, ROI is more about creating a Return On Impact. You won't get your investment of time, money, or resources back when you donate to a nonprofit. In the same way, grantmakers are looking forward. They want to know, "How much impact can we make through this work? How much of a ripple effect can we create by partnering together?" Even better, by giving forward and investing in others, we do get a return back - by way of meaning, relationships, and fulfillment. That's why it's so important for us to band together to help nonprofits build this kind of ROI. A Return on Impact. ROI Framework How do we go about showing Return on Impact? We do this through what I call the ROI Framework: Relevant, Optimize, and Interact. That's how we get the results that lead to impact. Rather than simply writing more grants, let's move upstream to look at the bigger picture and see how each grant opportunity fits in as part of the whole puzzle. When we put grants into their proper context, that's when we can effectively build the nonprofit's ROI. Relevant Relevance is twofold in the context of building our ROI Framework: Establish the relevance of our work to society. Ensure our work's relevance to the grantmaker's mission. First, we need contextual research to ensure the community need for this project: What statistics and data support this mission?  Why is this work so critical?  Then we should consider the relevance to the grantmaker:  Whose funding priorities best align with the nonprofit's mission? What community gaps does the nonprofit fill?  How can they partner to meet those needs? When thinking through this Relevance, we should consider the logical proof of ROI. To read today's full epsiode: The Real ROI of Grant Writing   Challenge Question: What can you do to increase your nonprofit's ROI?   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes ot be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip The collective values and priorities of a society change with each generation. We express our values with our time and money, so those values then drive the economy through the demand for relevant products and services. With each economic shift, the value proposition and marketing methods adapt to the current priorities to provide the most perceived value. As a nonprofit, you want to be on the peak of the value curve. During our discussion, Mark provided a journey of economic shifts through the history of America to help us understand where we are today and how nonprofits can take advantage of the current transformational economy to engage supporters. Join us for a journey through history to discover how you can help your nonprofit grow using assets you already have on hand. What is the Transformational Economy? Civilizations start as tribes in the subsistence economy, where we get enough to meet our needs and live. The goal is to say, “I'm alive.” As tribes settle, we move to the commodity economy where we harvest commodities such as crops, wood, and mining to buy and trade. The goal is to say, “I'm productive.” As the value of commodities increases, people move into the product economy where we buy labor savings. So instead of making your own products, we buy products someone else made. The goal is to say, “I'm efficient.” In the United States, we shifted to the product economy during the Industrial Revolution. As the need for products is met, we shift to the service economy where we free up time by paying for services we previously did on our own.  Then we moved to the experience economy, where people wanted more than a service—they wanted a memorable service. Now, we are living in a transformational economy, where people want more than interesting memories. They want authentic, meaningful experiences to make things better, whether it's improving themselves, their workplace, their family, their community, or the world.  This is what people are craving and paying for today, so rapidly growing companies are providing an opportunity for their customers to be better people through their products and services. How the Transformational Economy Can Help a Nonprofit The marketing efforts of nonprofits have operated on a service economy mindset, where we focus our recruitment messaging on the services we provide. But since we are in the business of transformation, it should feel natural to embrace the shift and showcase how a contributor makes the world a better place by supporting our cause. However, amid this shift, nonprofit organizations face a larger struggle to be heard through the noise with minimal marketing dollars. So how does a nonprofit get and sustain supporters' attention long enough to appeal to their sense of purpose? The Power of Story to Embrace the Transformational Economy The most powerful and entertaining way to showcase transformation is through storytelling.  Mark explained, “You can't sell transformation with features, advantages, and benefits. A person will not understand until they have been through the experience. How we do that is by telling a story of somebody who has been through the transformation. You have to tell it as a hero's journey.” To read today's full episode: What is a Transformational Economy, and How Can it Help a Nonprofit?   Challenge Question: What is a recent initiative you can search for stories of transformation? Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip How to Shake Up the Status Quo and Raise Funds for Your Nonprofit I talk with a lot of nonprofits each week, and of course they all have one thing in common they need: more funding! That's why I like to bring in experts in other types of fundraising too. We need to understand the bigger picture of how the strategies fit together.  Today I'm talking with another nonprofit expert who is fantastic at what she does. Sherry Quam Taylor is good at shaking up the status quo and challenging people to think bigger, better, and with excellence to raise funds to serve your nonprofit fully.   Listen as Sherry and I do some myth-busting about fundraising. We also discuss advice on scaling nonprofits.  Transparency and the Gift of Asking, "Why?" Sherry and I discuss the importance of bringing creativity to work. Design and creativity not only help us take care of ourselves, but they also help our organizations grow and build. This can insulate us from becoming stagnant.  The experience Sherry brought from the for-profit world to the nonprofit world helped her tremendously, and that transition helped her learn a lot by simply asking, “Why?” “Why can't we say that?” Why can't we spend that?” These questions challenged Sherry and the teams she worked with to look at “why” they were doing things a certain way, and build toward securing donors' best gifts. Giving the Gift of Time in Nonprofit Relationship Building Relationships take time. Rushing relationships does not build strong foundations. As board members, development teams, or even grant writers, relationships are at our heart.  Sherry also shares tools we can use to build those relationships, specifically with investment-level donors. First of all, we need to ask questions and listen with interest. Sherry suggests this gem, “How did you become so generous?” As I share in my TEDx Talk, building relationships means being conversational and getting to know the person, not just the dollar. Slowing down and being relational with donors can lead them to their best gift. That process can take 12-24 months or more, and that's okay. To read today's full episode: How Design, Creativity and Relationships Intersect With Budget Transparency    Challenge Question: What five people can you start building relationships with now? Make that list today.    Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip How Human Resources Systems and Accounting Enable Nonprofit Growth Today we're continuing the conversation from my TEDx Talk by discussing strategies for grant writing and nonprofits. You might recognize Sean Hale from the Nonprofit Mythbusters Roundtable. Sean is a nonprofit accounting and HR expert. As part of these nonprofit strategy conversations, we need to include nonprofit accounting and HR systems. However, I didn't want you to snooze during the episode! That's why I invited Sean, because he understands accounting and reporting without focusing solely on spreadsheets and numbers. He knows how to use the data to tell your nonprofit's full story. We talk about questions like: How do accounting best practices apply to nonprofits? How can we track our books better? How can we have sound systems to support our work better? Sean has fascinating experience and stories about nonprofit work and the systems supporting nonprofits. He's worked in nonprofits for over 20 years and loves helping get smooth-running administration so the organization shines, allowing them to focus on the work they do best. Sean helps organizations reduce waste, produce more revenue, and boost morale and productivity while growing transparency and stability. How Back Office Systems Help Prevent Burnout and Fraud Did you know that 93% of American adults have math anxiety? That's 13 out of 14 people! And that's why we need good systems that can translate math into easily readable graphs and data. This is even more important for nonprofits trying to convey the importance of their work. Sean shares how a good graphic can spark the organization to have critical conversations around money and solvency. We also discuss how Form 990s can be used for good and bad data points. We even discuss whether external audits are an effective fraud prevention and what steps can be taken to add additional fraud protection on top of audits. Often when we have these financial discussions, it can feel personal. But if organizations are set up with the proper checks and balances from the beginning, the system works to protect everyone. No one gets singled out or picked on.  While back office and systems conversations can be difficult, these small measures and systems help set our team up for stability and growth. Challenge Question: What systems can be a benefit to your nonprofit or grant-writing business? What two steps will you take today to start those conversations? Meet Sean Hale I've served nonprofits for more than twenty years. I love getting the administrative side running smoothly so the organization can truly focus and shine. Over my career, I have made improvements that reduced waste, generated new revenue, boosted staff productivity and morale, grew financial transparency, and shrank risk. I've also helped boards and management to navigate complex situations and consistently left the organizations stronger and ready for their next stage of growth. Today I get to lead a team of outstanding nonprofit accounting and finance professionals. Together, we provide temporary and ongoing services to small and mid-sized nonprofits so they can have the back office support they need for the whole organization to flourish. Connect with Sean Hale: Sean Hale Consulting Philanthroforce Connect with Sean on LinkedIn Recommended Reading from Sean's blog: 7% Board Engagement is Not Enough Data Visualization for Financial Reports Engages Leadership Be Frugal, Not Cheap, With Nonprofit Administration Southwest Airlines: A Cautionary Tale About Being Cheap with Administration Nonprofit Administrator Burnout: Warning Signs and Alternatives Audits Won't Protect Your Nonprofit From Fraud Loom video explaining how to document your processes Other Resources Mentioned: TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Nonprofit Mythbusters #1: The Overhead Myth - Expert Roundtable Discussion Episode 62: Pro Tips to Step Up Your Nonprofit Grant Strategy with Systems Episode: 63: Systems for Hire: Ways to Help Your Nonprofit Thrive Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Nonprofit Spotlight: Catching Human Traffickers I enjoy hosting a variety of topics relating to nonprofits and the issues surrounding them. Occasionally, we'll have a nonprofit spotlight episode. The issue of this episode is one I have wanted to highlight for a while, but the topic is a challenging one. Today's nonprofit spotlight is DeliverFund and their efforts to stop human trafficking. Due to the subject matter, you may want to grab earbuds or headphones if you have little ones around. Human Trafficking Myths, Politics, Technology, and Budgets. Get Involved Several years ago, a U.S. soldier on duty overseas was distraught when he saw the effects of human trafficking. He asked a superior what they could do to stop the selling of women and children. The response was, “Nothing. We don't have the budget.” He decided to do something about it himself. Since that veteran, Nic McKinley, founded DeliverFund, this nonprofit has been developing technology and training law enforcement to attack trafficking networks to put an end to traffickers. The founder realized his unique skills could be used to fill a significant need, and that vision is growing and restoring victims of this industry. Learn the Benefits of Using Technology to Grow Your Nonprofit Today I'm talking with DeliverFund's Director of Development, Christi Nabors. She has experience in the for-profit world and has brought that experience to her work in nonprofit spaces. All of that experience has helped her view technology as a helpful tool. Christi helped build training programs and digital online products in the for-profit world. I loved discussing the learning curve of nonprofit language vs. for-profit work. We discuss fears that can stall nonprofits' growth and the work of weaving nonprofit speak together to tell the compelling story of nonprofits. Christi also takes the time to bust myths about human trafficking. I hope you find value in this conversation. To learn more about how to support this nonprofit or get involved, visit deliverfund.org Challenge Question: Did any of the human trafficking myths surprise you? What is one way can you be a part of the solution to human trafficking today? Meet Christi Nabors: Christi Nabors has been serving DeliverFund as Director of Development since January 2022. Her for-profit executive leadership and non-profit Executive and CEO experiences have set the foundation for her to be credited with three non-profit turnarounds. First, she increased programmatic impact and expansion; introduced program delivery into new ecosystems; and created new revenue-generating and sustainability pipelines. Connect with DeliverFund: Linkedin DeliverFund Website Youtube Recommended Reading: Learn the signs of Human Trafficking Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Successful Strategy: Next Steps For Grant Writers & NonProfits Today I'm excited to talk about grant writing strategy with you. I love helping grant writers and nonprofits think through their first steps and simplify the process. If you haven't watched my TEDx talk, I recommend it as additional context for the conversation in this episode.  Today's guest Silvia reached out with interest in grant writing. She has international volunteer experience and sees firsthand some of the dire needs in our world. I love what she is wanting to do through the power of grant writing. On this grant writer strategy call episode, Silvia asks some great questions and we talk about several ideas for how she can get started.  As grant writers and nonprofits, it's important to ask hard questions and not wear rose colored glasses as we approach requests for grant funding.  Silvia and I talk about questions like: How do I start? How do I know if I am grant ready? How do I get past the fear of writing the first application? How to discuss helping nonprofits resolve needs? How important is it for nonprofits to have an online presence? I get it! New things are scary. I never thought I would do a TEDx Talk. Yet doing new things is how we continue to improve. Pushing ourselves is a way to help us learn to serve better. By learning and taking action, we help others fulfill their missions.  Whatever you're working through, I hope today's episode  gives you ideas and inspiration of how to move forward.   How Grants Build Generosity And Empower Volunteers Whether you are a grant writer or a nonprofit, building relationships is the foundation. This builds the confidence of everyone within the area of impact.  Grant writers have a lot of influence. We're able to connect the generosity of those unable to travel or volunteer with those who are on the ground physically serving. We also connect these causes and missions with the funding they need to fulfill those missions. It becomes a powerful force for good.   Challenge Question: What 2-3 action steps you can take this week to help you connect and build relationships with organizations around you?  Meet Silvia Bonvini Silvia is the mother of two young boys and wife to an American family doctor who is completing his Global Health Fellowship this year. His work has brought the family to Ethiopia, Kenya where they are now, and soon to Uganda. The family plans on working in Africa long-term at a Catholic mission hospital starting next year. Silvia hopes that she will be able to help hospitals and NGOs there through grant writing, while also exploring her interests in regenerative agriculture as it relates to nutrition, livelihoods, environmental protection, and women's empowerment.   Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   A lot of people ask me how they should start the grant writing process. In this episode I talk with my friend Kent Sanders, a ghostwriter, about the connections between ghostwriting and grant writing. He reminds us of some foundational things we should prioritize in our journeys.    First Lesson: Be okay with imperfection. Nothing is going to be perfect. Give grace to yourself and to your writing. Care about and be proud of what you do; don't nitpick everything about it.    Parallels Between Ghostwriting and Grant Writing Be up for the challenge. Just like the client, writer, editor, and publisher may all want something different out of a book, everyone involved in the grant process will want a little something different out of it. You as the writer want one thing, the receiver may want another thing, and the people benefiting may want another. Be ready to tackle that challenge! And be prepared to listen. Have a good relationship with your client. Camaraderie can make a huge difference when it comes to the efficiency and stress levels involved in any task. Be easy to work with. Show respect, provide clear communication, and be on top of your responsibilities.  Be on time with the project. Or better yet, early. Be a stress reliever to those around you. You're here to make things better, not worse.    So Where Do You Start? Begin by listening to the people you're writing for, be empathetic, learn their stories, and then tackle every task each step of the way! You've got this!   Challenge Question: How can you apply one of the above parallels to your grant writing process?   Meet Kent Sanders:  Kent Sanders is the founder of Inkwell Ghostwriting, which helps leaders grow their business through books and other content. He is also the author and co-author of numerous books, including 18 Words to Live By: A Father's Wisdom on What Matters Most and co-author of The Faith of Elvis: A Story Only a Brother Can Tell with Billy Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother.    In addition to writing books for himself and his clients, Kent loves to help other writers. He is the host of the Daily Writer podcast and the founder of the Daily Writer Club, a membership community that helps writers build a business with their skills. He lives just outside of St. Louis and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and teenage son.   Connect with Kent Sanders: The Daily Writer Podcast Daily Writer Club Daily Writer Website Kent's Website   Resources: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin Anything You Want: 40 Lessons For a New Kind of Entrepreneur by Derek Sivers Any resource from Ryan Holiday   Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Almost all of us know at least one person who has been affected by cancer. Our guest on today's podcast episode, Eric Newman, was just a child when he was diagnosed with cancer.  When he later asked his mother what she remembered about that day, she said that she remembered his dad having to leave her to go pack an overnight bag. She felt alone and afraid at the hospital trying to navigate the devastating news. From this, a mission to eradicate that moment from the lives of others was born. The Roc Solid Foundation created Ready Bags to give families when their children are diagnosed with cancer. These bags provide help in a time of need so families can stay together in a time of pain.  In addition, Roc Solid Foundation partners with businesses to build playsets for children going through cancer. The kids often have to remain secluded due to a compromised immune system, which means they can't go to a typical playdate or public park. Roc Solid steps in and rounds up a team and supplies to build a brand new playset in the family's back yard.  In this episode we talk with Eric Newman, founder of Roc Solid Foundation, about how his experience has developed into an incredible mission. He wants to bring joy and play to children dealing with cancer. Eric also shares some of the foundational pieces required to run a nonprofit, including how volunteers can help in more ways than you may think.   Things To Know About Making A Difference Marry your mission, not your model. Be committed to your passion/goal, but allow adjustments along the way. When you're clear on your mission you can pivot your model to best tackle whatever's in front of you. You don't need to be fancy. Focus on your mission; don't worry about being flashy. Focus on the people; the money will come. When you're people- and mission-focused, your staff is happier, you see more results, and donations tend to come. When you focus on the money, people start to leave, you make less of an impact, and the money flow dwindles.    Taking Care of Volunteers Provide a little something for your volunteers when the day is over. Eric's advice is to give them a drink, pizza, and t-shirt. Now it doesn't have to be exactly that, but this gives you a valuable opportunity to talk with those who came out to help. Listen to their stories and what motivated them to help. Ask them what their favorite part was. You can learn if you're hitting your mark or if you need to adjust. Don't always seek to be understood, but seek to understand. Be a constant learner and seek to understand why that volunteer came, or why they come back more than once. That's the type of information you need in order to understand where the money is going to come from. This gives you valuable insight. Seek wisdom above anything else. Lastly, always remember to always say thank you. Don't underestimate the power in being an organization that shows gratitude and feels welcoming.    Challenge Question: How can you be relentless, but not reckless, when it comes to pursuing your mission?    Meet Eric Newman:  Eric Newman is a passionate entrepreneur, speaker and visionary leader. A childhood cancer survivor, he founded Roc Solid Foundation in 2009, a non-profit that builds hope for kids fighting the same battle throughout the U.S.  Roc Solid partners with over 100 children's hospitals to gift Ready Bags to families just after diagnosis, and they've provided thousands of playsets for children throughout the country who need a safe place to play and a reason to smile. As a best-selling author and guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Eric's story continues to inspire people who are looking for ways to turn their pain from past experiences into their life's passion.   Connect with Eric Newman: Website What Hope Looks Like: Use Your Pain to Fuel Your Purpose by Eric Newman Instagram LinkedIn   Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   How Can We Fund Our Nonprofit? Nonprofits are always on the lookout for more money, especially unrestricted funding. And as a nonprofit strategist, I'm always on the lookout for ways to help them find it. That's where today's guest comes in. When I heard about Will Black and his team at Sharing the Credit last year, I knew I had to find out more about this and see if it's a good resource to share with you.  Turns out, it's not simply a good resource; it's brilliant. I've had the pleasure of meeting Will in person and getting to know his team. Y'all, this is completely legit. Nonprofits and businesses everywhere need to know about this!   Unrestricted Funding for Nonprofits; Savings for Businesses Every time we go to a business, be it a physical store or online, and use our debit or credit card, the business is charged a transaction fee. Everyone knows that. That's the boring part.  What you may not know is that ONE of those fees that is built in by Visa/MasterCard doesn't go to Visa, and it doesn't go to MasterCard; it goes back into the system. It goes to a bank. BUT instead of going to a bank, it can legally go to a 501. A non-profit. Ta-DA!   Sharing the Credit Saves Money and Funds Nonprofits For example, Will Black and his Sharing the Credit team approached a successful car dealership that did $1 million in revenue each month. The dealership's manager asked if there was any way they could better help their charity. Enter Sharing the Credit. Will's team reviewed the dealership's statements and discovered they were overpaying by a whopping $30,000 a year in credit card fees. The general manager realized, “Wow! That's a car. That's a WHOLE car.” Will said, “Actually it's a car a YEAR. It's a car EVERY year.” Then Will handed them a copy of the report that outlined exactly how much they were overpaying in fees.  It was a no-brainer. The dealership switched to Sharing the Credit on the spot. Now they save $30,000 a year AND they give over $125,000 every single year to their favorite charity - into perpetuity.  That business has been working with Sharing the Credit for over 11 years…when you do the math, that's pretty incredible. It's a win all around.   A Transformational Way of Nonprofit Fundraising The best part about these funds is that they're unrestricted. That means the nonprofit can use the money any way it needs to best support their work. The staff can focus on the mission and growing their programs instead of scrambling to make ends meet.  The system also creates community by partnering businesses with nonprofits to work together. The business even displays a cool door sticker showing they're a supporter of the nonprofit. Will and I also talk about:  The blessing of having a good budget Why grants are not a rescue plan The power of collaboration to help nonprofits Will's favorite resource for nonprofits (hint: If you're hanging out with me, you're in the right place!) You might be wondering if this is too good to be true. I can assure you, this is completely legit and it's working. Their track record speaks for itself. Take a few minutes to explore and see for yourself!   Challenge Question: What could your nonprofit do with more unrestricted funding in hand each year? If you want to find out, book a call with Will Black at Sharing the Credit and start the conversation to see if it's a good fit for you.   Meet Will Black: Will Black is the CEO and Chief Giving Officer at Sharing the Credit. They pair nonprofits with businesses so that your worthy cause receives unrestricted funding on autopilot, into perpetuity. They help your business fund or increase funding to your favorite IRS-recognized 501c charity with no expense to you, while saving your business money.  They help your nonprofit increase unrestricted donations with NO fundraising, grant writing, or soliciting.    Connect with Will Black: Email: Will@SharingTheCredit.com Schedule a call: www.teresahuff.com/sharingthecredit Website: www.sharingthecredit.com   Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Today I'm talking with longtime nonprofit expert Laverne Toombs about the art of grant writing. Before even writing a first draft of a grant, we need to do a few things to start off on the right foot. We dive into how doing this background work can really set us up for success.   Lay the Groundwork for the Grantmaker  If you're interested in writing a grant, you don't have to have it all figured out. No one starts something as an expert. Bring your willing heart and begin learning. None of us are perfect, and we all have room to grow. The first step to writing a grant is laying out the prep work. This includes establishing a relationship and being familiar with the funder, understanding that foundation's criteria, and making sure your mission aligns with theirs. When reaching out to a grantmaker, we have to get to know the heart behind their foundation's mission, get to know the people involved, and learn the ins and outs of what's important to them. We must also make sure that we are not shifting our mission to match theirs simply because they're a possible donor; people can see right through that.    Preparing the Nonprofit to Apply for a Grant  When it comes to preparing a grant, we need to also make sure the organization/nonprofit we're helping is ready for grants. Some of the questions to ask are: Do you have an organizational budget? How many grants do you have the capacity to manage? What other sources of funding do you have in place? As grant writers, we want the nonprofit's mission to succeed. We can set them up for success by helping them put a plan in place.   Challenge Question: What is the first thing you need to do to set a nonprofit's grant application up for success?     Meet LaVerne Toombs:  LaVerne Toombs is the vice president of development for the American Heart Association, an organization that fights heart disease and stroke and, in turn, helps families and communities thrive. As a leader on the development team, LaVerne uses her magnanimous and infectious personality to help manage the fundraising team to provide them with the necessary tools to achieve those goals. She does this all while building upon volunteer and fundraising opportunities partnering with influential corporate and community voices.    Resources: Federal Registry   Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.    Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Tackling Important Issues with Excellence Today I'm excited to introduce you to my good friend and brilliant colleague, Dr. Dan Young. He has years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, and nonprofit leadership. He drops so many nuggets of wisdom in this episode! I know you'll find it inspiring.  Dr. Dan and I chat about: Integrating giving into our everyday life and setting an example for others. Creating an attitude of giving that transitions from generation to generation. The disconnect between technology and human connection, and how we can bridge the gap.  How to tap into the human spirit to ignite passion for important causes and needs. The importance of thinking bigger long term.   Solving Nonprofit Problems with Proper Support As Dr. Dan says, “It's about leadership. It's about entrepreneurial principles. It's about networking, it's about technology. Let's take a look at what we're doing in all these areas. And just because we got a 25% increase in funding or donations, that's not the point. The point is, the problem is still here. So let's focus on that. And if we do that, everything else gets a little bit more efficient and more effective.” When it comes to nonprofit leaders, Dr. Dan emphasizes, “That type of person should have the most comprehensive leadership training in the world. Because it's unbelievably difficult. And the stakes are unbelievably high. So that's a part of the work that we do, is to put those people in the best possible position for the world's most important job.”   Challenge Question: How will you start to adopt 4-generation thinking rather than 4-quarter thinking?   Meet Dr. Dan Young Dr. Dan Young is the Founding Director of the Wharton-AltFinance Institute at the Wharton School and is the curator of TEDxWilmington, which is in the top 1% of all TEDx franchises in the country with over 550 speakers and 42 million views on YouTube. As an “educationpreneur”, he is also responsible for creating the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program at Goldey-Beacom College. the first online DBA class for Wilmington University, the first study abroad program for the Horn Program of Entrepreneurship and the first international internship program for study abroad at the University of Delaware. Dan received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Marketing from the University of Delaware's Honors Program and his Ph.D. in Marketing from Temple University. He has done entrepreneurship and executive leadership programs with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oxford. He has been an instructor at GBC, Temple University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, the University of Delaware, Neumann University and Wilmington University. Dan has served on the Boards of many nonprofit organizations and currently serves as the President of Theatre N at Nemours, President of the Board of Safe Haven Healing, Membership Chairman of the Board of Governors for the University and Whist Club, and an advisory Board Member for the Fresh Start program. He was in the 2011 class of Leadership Delaware and served as the first Vice-President of the Leadership Delaware Alumni Association.   Other Resources Mentioned: Team/Work by Natalie Dawson How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie   Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.    Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Several months ago I was at a large nonprofit conference in Nashville. While wandering up and down the booths, one caught my eye. They were giving away macaroons…delicious, colorful, many-flavored, handmade macaroons. *Sigh.* The macaroons worked their magic and I quickly became friends with the two coworkers running the booth. Turns out one of them, Dave Raley, was at another conference just the month before in Milwaukee - and so was I! We were both presenters at that conference, but somehow our paths hadn't crossed there.  At any rate I'm glad we finally met because, aside from the delightful macaroons, Dave and I have kept in touch and he's a wonderful person. That's why I wanted you to meet him too. Today you get to meet Dave Raley, a consultant who helps organizations take care of their economic engine through innovation, growth, and scaling. Dave points out we should pay attention to important trends in the amount of giving, type of giving, and who does the giving.    Trends To best make the type of impact you are working towards it is important to review your current situation. First, look inward and review the things you do to produce revenue. Secondly, look outward and pay attention to trends. Trends are like waves. Just like when you're trying to catch a wave surfing, you can miss waves by paddling too early or too late. You need to match the speed and be on top of it to be able to ride the wave. An example of a trend that we're currently in the middle of is the Subscription Economy.    How to Best Use the Subscription Economy We're currently living in a Subscription Economy. Not long ago, a person's typical monthly payments included the necessities of life like mortgages, car payments, and water bills. Now we subscribe to much more every day. Things like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, softwares, gyms, food - all these point to the subscription economy we live in. This has transformed the way donors and customers think about recurring transactions. It has normalized the concept of monthly giving and encouraged it through the ease of it all. Consumers and donors see monthly payments as a normal part of life and as a good and doable thing. This helps create predictability for organizations, including nonprofits, since they can have an idea of their monthly incoming revenue. Say a nonprofit wants to ramp up subscription giving: Take stock of what you've got. Look at your recurring donors and the long term value. You need to know where you are so you know where you can go.  Prioritize your monthly giving program. Make it easy to see and use on your website or another type of functional giving platform.    Tips for the Subscription Economy: Donors like convenience. Automated giving can help your revenue.  Don't limit your goal and therefore limit your plan. Aim high. Look at your giving program and how to better use your resources.   Challenge Question: How can you rethink and maximize the subscription economy we are living in?   Meet Dave Raley:  Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps faith-informed organizations generate profitable growth by developing sustainable innovation. He's also the co-founder and host of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, a show about the surprising ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.    Connect with Dave Raley: Imago Consulting - Website Purpose & Profit Podcast   Resources: Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Dan and Chip Heath The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick M Lencioni Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.  Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff:   Website: www.teresahuff.com   Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?   Social:   • LinkedIn Community • LinkedIn • Instagram • Pinterest   Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:    www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Whether you think of yourself as a leader or not, you are. You impact and influence others whether you realize it or not.  We all feel the heat sometimes in this hectic world. Let's glean some wisdom from someone who's been in the trenches - literally. Today's interview is with a former Green Beret, Otis McGregor, and it's an honor to have him share his leadership and life lessons with us. Otis shares about learning how to grow as a leader, eliminating stress in your life, gaining positive structure for your day, and sharing the three aspects of trust that can make a huge difference in your success.   Lessons for Leaders from a Green Beret: Be clear in communicating to others what needs to be done. Clearly express how to do it, why it's important, and how it fits into the bigger picture. When seeking out wisdom about how to grow as a leader, don't pigeonhole yourself into only learning from people within your line of work. Great leadership skills and techniques can be learned from people in all different fields, implementing their tips and tricks into your wheelhouse. Accountability partners help keep you on track. When trying to make a large change, implement smaller increments of change at a time. This makes it easier to achieve the smaller goals. For example, say you want to start getting up early to exercise. When you get up at 6am normally, instead of jumping right to setting that alarm for 4am, start with 5:45am for a week, then 5:30am, and so on. Take smaller steps to make a long lasting, larger change.   Tips to Eliminate Stress and Handle Hard Situations: First things first, stop and assess the situation. When you realize you're overwhelmed, slow down, take a breath, and write down all the things that you need to get done. Once you have this list, use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix to help you categorize and prioritize. Another tip to help eliminate stress is to shut off your electronics to avoid distractions, and just write down everything that's been on your mind. Not with a goal to solve a problem or to create anything, but just to get everything out of your head. This can help us clear our minds and be more relaxed.    Break Your Day Up Into 3 Categories: Focus: This is a time in your day that is set apart to work on a specific thing or two that you want to handle and you do not allow people or things to sidetrack you. Do whatever you need to do to be unavailable to distractions. Flex: This is where a lot of us spend most of our time. This is where you're working on different things for the day and you're able to bounce around a bit more, allowing for interruptions or breaks.  Personal: This is the category a lot of us let be pushed under the rug when we're stressed, but taking care of ourselves must be a priority. Have you ever heard the common phrase, “You can't pour from an empty cup?” We can't be our best selves when we're drained. Take a walk, read a book, take a nap, spend time with friends, play an instrument, etc…whatever it is that helps you unwind and feel refreshed.    The Trust Triad As a leader it's important to learn the power of the Trust Triad. The Trust Triad consists of three legs of trust: Trust yourself: Believe that the decisions you make, with the time available to you and the information at your disposal, are the best decisions that you can make. Trust your team: Believe they are capable of doing what they are here to do. The team must be able to trust you: They must believe that your decisions have the best interest of the organization in mind. Not yourself, not a specific person, not the money in your pocket, but the organization's success.  Strive to create strength in whatever area is lacking in the Trust Triad within your organization and see how much stronger you become.    Challenge Question: What lesson will you begin to implement right now to grow as a leader?   Meet Otis McGregor: Leadership Expert, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Project Management Trainer, Rugby Coach, LTC, Special Forces, US Army, Retired. My passion lies in helping people succeed. I've used this passion through years in the Army Special Operations, coaching rugby and business. It now drives me to create better leaders. I believe that better leaders create better organizations, better organizations create better communities, and better communities will create a better world.  I worked as a Business Development Manager, Director, and Chief Strategy Officer for several companies. In 2009, I founded LTO Enterprises, LLC to help businesses win government contracts. In 2021, I rebranded LTO to become Tribe + Purpose, aligning with how we operate and our business purpose. We focus on creating better leaders to lead high-performing teams. I am a certified business performance coach and certified project director and trainer through The Institute of Project Management.  I retired from the US Army in 2009 as a Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel following 25 years of service. While in the Army, I had a broad range of experience from being a private driving tanks five years older than me; to an engineer in the Arctic, running heavy equipment in the most extreme arctic conditions; to leading Green Berets on complex and dangerous missions around the world. I also had the unique experience of being part of new organizations and creating these new units into cohesive, effective organizations. This experience ranged from Arctic conditions in Alaska to counter-terrorism units in Iraq and Afghanistan to NATO Special Operations Headquarters.  Being part of these organizations from the ground up has given me immense experience in creating successful organizations. I've used those skills and experiences to build successful teams, business units, and companies in the business world. I've led capture efforts and proposal development for large and small firms. These efforts have ranged from small task orders to multiple large entity Joint Ventures. In addition to my business development efforts, I ran multi-million-dollar programs for the government spread across the US and overseas.  I possess a BS-Engineering Technology, from Texas A&M University; MA-International Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School; Certified Professional Coach, Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC); COR.E Leadership & Performance Dynamics Specialist, IPEC; Certified Project Director and Certified Project Trainer, Institute of Project Management (IPM); USA Rugby Level 300 Coach. I create better leaders, host a podcast, build high-performance teams and wrote the book Enable Your Team's Success. I live in Colorado with my wife, Suzanne. We have three grown children living in the USA. Connect with Otis: Otis' TEDx Talk Website LinkedIn YouTube: The Cam & Otis Show   Resources Mentioned: Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Stanley McChrystal  Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot by James B Stockdale   Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.  Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com   Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?   Social:   • LinkedIn Community • LinkedIn • Instagram • Pinterest   Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:    www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Join the Roundtable With Four Experts As We Discuss the Nonprofit Overhead Myth A few weeks ago, someone shared an article on LinkedIn about the long-debated Overhead Myth. Is nonprofit overhead bad? Is there a magic percentage for overhead? How can we educate people about the importance of funding operational costs? That's why I rounded up five nonprofit thought leaders to discuss this. We're passionate about busting this myth and look forward to sharing some nuggets of wisdom with you! Our goal for this conversation was to be clear and to provide practical takeaways and verbiage you can use throughout your nonprofit journey. And we accomplished just that! One of the best ways to bust myths in the lives of those around you and your donors is to learn how to shift the conversations to help people better understand your nonprofit's situation. Join us as we pick the brains of these experts in the field surrounding this topic. I'm currently planning more ways to support you as my listeners and would love some feedback! What would you like to see more of? Share your ideas for podcast topics, resources, course ideas, or other ways I can support you in the new year! SPEAKERS Teresa Huff, Sherry Quam Taylor, Sean Hale, Michael Thatcher, Kiersten Hill Read the full transcript: www.teresahuff.com/116  Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.  Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com   Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?   Social:   LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest YouTube   Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:    www.teresahuff.com/vip  

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip We each have a unique combination of things that light us up. From art to spreadsheets, engines to baking cookies (guilty!), we all have our things we enjoy. Those things we're passionate about typically spread across a wide range of interests. Along with that, we also have a lot of things we wish we could change in the world. This combination of many passions and wanting to make an impact within these areas is what led Michael Thatcher to where he is today as CEO of Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is a nonprofit that serves other nonprofits. Their system helps donors identify nonprofits that have a mission that they want to support, as well as provides an opportunity to give to a wide range of causes when they don't want to pick just one. It also helps nonprofits gain credibility and discoverability, making it an incredible resource for both donors and nonprofits. In this episode Michael and I talk about how Charity Navigator is a tool that amplifies impactful giving as well as other benefits of establishing a nonprofit presence on their platform. Impactful Giving Through Charity Navigator All nonprofits have a mission to make something better, and funds are a vital part of taking steps in the right direction. So how can we make impactful giving easier for everyone? Through the use of Charity Navigator. Oftentimes people use overhead, information about where money is being spent, as a way to determine a nonprofit's impact, but this doesn't provide the whole picture. Charity Navigator takes the nonprofit's data, looks at what the money is achieving, and shows its true influence. Nonprofits are encouraged to get their data out there, not only on their own website, but also on others. This allows your mission to be discoverable by more like minded people who may be looking for a charity just like yours to donate to. Due to Charity Navigator's positive reputation, ease of use, and up to date information, nonprofits can keep putting their best foot forward Benefits of Establishing with Charity Navigator Charity Navigator relaunched a new website in 2022 with added features and improvements. They're working hard to continuously iterate and provide better, more accurate data to drive impactful giving. This offers many benefits to both nonprofits and donors: Third party credibility They'll run algorithms on your data and give you feedback Branding Kit It increases your discoverability by being on another platform It's 100% free Challenge Question: What day this week can you prioritize getting involved with Charity Navigator? Meet Michael Thatcher: Michael leads Charity Navigator in its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of evaluation methodologies to facilitate ratings coverage of substantially larger numbers of charities, and expand how the information engages new and existing audiences. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Michael spent more than fifteen years with Microsoft, the last ten of which, as their Public Sector Chief Technology Officer responsible for technology policy initiatives and engagements with government and academic leaders in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Michael's eclectic background includes years at sea conducting oceanographic research with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, composing music and dancing internationally as the co-founder and co-director of Dance Music Light. He has held various board positions within the nonprofit and tech sectors, holds several patents in enterprise systems management, and has a degree in Music from Columbia University in New York. His guiding mantra: Follow your heart - Use your head - Make a difference. Connect with Michael: Charity Navigator Website Charity Navigator Portal Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff:  Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join the Nonprofit Mythbusters: www.nonprofitmythbusters.com Getting Over the Nonprofit Overhead Myth In 2013 Dan Pallotta released his TED Talk that called out what is now known as The Overhead Myth. The nonprofit sector was hopeful that things might turn around. Now, almost a decade later, has anything changed? Have we stopped judging organizational effectiveness based solely on how much (or how little) a nonprofit organization spends on operational costs? I've rounded up some nonprofit colleagues and thought leaders to join me in a roundtable conversation about this important topic, and you are invited to listen.  It's not enough to say something's wrong with the way things are done. We need to educate and provide better tools to truly shift the status quo. Reframing the Nonprofit Narrative While interviewing Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, the topic of overhead came up. Today I'm sharing a transcript of the conversation with you: Michael Thatcher: So one of the things I think that's important with the new platform is, and what we're trying to do with the ratings, is to re-articulate the nonprofit narrative. So that there's not this tremendous focus on overhead, and how much gets spent on programs, but actually shift donor perceptions away from that towards what's the impact? And what are the results that the organization is making? What are the other attributes that actually make me want to invest in this organization? Ultimately, when we're looking at overhead, we're looking at where money's being spent. We're not looking at what money's actually achieving. The only way we can tell that story is this kind of brings it back to the individual nonprofits. Give us that data. Give us your performance data so we can actually tell a better story. Because overhead's easy; we pull that from the from the IRS tax forms, and that is what donors are using as a proxy for impact. It doesn't tell you a thing about impact. And it's actually can be really harmful.  If you under-spend on actually taking care of your people, you will actually damage your organization. You'll have staff, you'll have attrition rates, that you can't manage because at a certain point people have families; they've got to support their families, and if you're under paying your staff, then they're not going to stay with you because they actually have to make a living. So we should be paying. We should be paying appropriate rent wages for non-profit staff. We should be telling the story of the impact we're making in the world.  Charity Navigator is really trying to make that front and center. If you look back historically, we were part of, you know, we've been part of different letters that had been sent to donors, to the nonprofits, on the overhead myth. But this is such an important moment right now, where we have so many issues in our world that need to be addressed. And they talk about the difference we're making in the world. So that's one thing is like, tell the story of the impact you're making. Use platforms like Charity Navigator to actually amplify that message. And stop talking about overhead. Teresa Huff: I just want to hug you right now! I am cheering and clapping on the inside. Because I see that so much. And it's such a struggle, and a frustration, especially for small nonprofits. And I hear it I see the churn that you're talking about the burnout, the overhead and the the turnover. In people. It's like a puzzle shifting around, somebody moves and the dominoes fall, and it's like, okay, they're gonna shift around in the community somewhere else. And it happens so much. And that inconsistency hurts the organization too. Because then their programs, people build up rapport, and then somebody's gone the next week. It's tough all around, and nonprofit leaders are wearing so many hats, and they're often exhausted and don't know where to focus. I think these conversations and these supports need to shift and what you're saying, we need to shift the the way we are approaching it and the perception around overhead. Spot on; I'm right there with you. Michael Thatcher: So one thing I was saying, you said, nonprofit leaders wear many hats. We do. And the smaller the nonprofit, the more hats you have to wear. Yeah, that means you are not overhead. Right? You are probably doing a lot of program work. And so one of the errors that I see a lot, particularly from smaller nonprofits is that they'll put the executive in as a management or administrative expense entirely. That's rarely the case. You know what, you know how much program work you're doing, you know how much administrative work you're doing and how much fundraising you're doing. Do those allocations appropriately. It's not a one size fits all approach. And so be careful how you actually report. You do have to report on this, right? In other words, the IRS rules are the IRS rules. And also state rules are state rules. You've got to follow those. But know how you're spending, track your time, and then figure it out. And then just put that in your annual reporting. Teresa Huff: Yes, thank you for saying that. And for clarifying that, because I've tried explaining that. And sometimes people get it, and sometimes they don't. And it can be a tricky struggle to try and convey. And I think the more we educate the public, and our potential donors and supporters, sometimes they just don't know. And we need to take responsibility for educating them in doing a better job of helping them understand what it really takes to run the nonprofit and then paying people to do their job is not a bad thing. It's an investment in the program and in the community and in the impact. Michael Thatcher: 100%.   Attend the Nonprofit Mythbusters roundtable conversation:  www.nonprofitmythbusters.com   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip. Homelessness is one of the big issues in society today and it knows no geographical boundaries. A nonprofit called New Story is tackling this issue, and their ultimate goal is to end global homelessness. And get this - they do it by printing 3D homes. As you can imagine, there are a lot of hindrances while tackling such a large issue. I'm talking with Kristen Harrington, Senior Manager of Partnerships for New Story. We discuss two things about how to tackle large problems that we face while working in a nonprofit: How we navigate our goals and outcomes is important The importance of mentorship Ways to Navigate How You Run Your Nonprofit Think bold/think bigger Take obstacles and find the positive in it Have a creative and hardworking team Be transparent in the ups and the downs Know the Power of Mentorship Why is having a mentor a good idea within a nonprofit? Someone to bounce ideas off of Someone to ask questions to They are an ally in the nonprofit world You can share partnership prospects They can provide helpful feedback Challenge Question: Who can be a mentor to come alongside you while you're attempting to tackle a large problem? Meet Kristen Harrington: Kristen Harrington is passionate about people and purpose. As the Senior Manager of Partnerships at New Story, she leads a team to maximize global impact by cultivating new relationships with the world's most generous companies. Prior to joining New Story, Kristen helped lead the fundraising efforts of multi-million dollar campaigns for national organizations and even spent some time outside of the nonprofit sector at ESPN. She spends her free time with her husband, daughter, and two chocolate labs, looking for Atlanta's best tacos and the next great adventure. Connect with Kristen: LinkedIn kristen@newstorycharity.org New Story's Website Other Episodes Mentioned: Mentoring Podcast Series The Value of Unexpected Mentors and 5 Ways to Find Them [Episode 26] Keys to Success as a Nonprofit Leader: Interview with Dr. Johnathan Kraus, Love Never Fails International [Episode 027] 6 Ways to Learn Grant Writing Skills When You're a Nonprofit Volunteer [Episode 28] How to Start as a Grant Writer: Mindset and Strategy of Nonprofit Grant Writing [Episode 029] Why I Became a Nonprofit Grant Writer: Creating a Ripple Effect [Episode 030] Tips for Stepping Up Your Freelancing Success with Katherine Bright [Episode 031] Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today: www.teresahuff.com/vip   Last winter I presented a grant writing workshop at a conference in Milwaukee. One of the hosts was The Nonprofit Alliance. You may recognize that name from my past guest Shannon McCracken in Episode 70. I didn't know another soul going into the conference. However, you'd be proud of this introvert. I had a great time and talked to a lot of new people! One of those happened to sit down next to me at lunch. After hearing his story, his passion for building strong teams, and his unique take on leadership, I knew my new friend was a great person for you to meet too. In this episode I'm talking with Tim Ditloff, an avid sailor, about what leadership looks like. With a lot of in depth and fun analogies, he relates sailing to strong leadership. I recommend following Tim on LinkedIn for a lot of thoughtful, inspirational posts on life, leadership, and sailing! Things to Remember As a Leader Tim has a lot of thoughtful wisdom to share with us: Your path might not always be straight. Adjust to the zigs and zags. Celebrate small victories. Rome wasn't built in a day. Each person's seemingly small task is very important in the ultimate journey. How Can Nonprofits Live Out Strong Leadership? Tim has worked with his share of nonprofits over the years. He recommends that we focus on these things: Remember why you exist Remember what you are good at/your strengths Reflect on your progress Map out your course, set up milestones, and celebrate along the way Make sure your team is on the same page Lessons From Sailing on Leadership Tim relates each of the following leadership characteristics to sailing and teaches us how to think about them from a new perspective. Listen in to get all of the thoughtful analogies he gives us on these powerful points: Steward leadership: Take care of each other. You're not on the boat alone. You can't take care of others without taking care of yourself too. Take the time to step back and observe how things are going among your team to make the most impact. Clear communication. Communication is vital for life or death on the sea; communication can be the line between success and failure in a nonprofit. Challenge Question: What sailing lesson from this episode can you compare to your nonprofit journey? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a message. Meet Tim Dittloff: Tim has received world-class training in business, speaking, and sailing – and he puts all of his knowledge to good use, helping companies like yours with leadership development.  Time provides coaching and seminars to company leaders and their teams so they can transform both personally and professionally. His credentials include a Master of Science in Education. He is also a Certified Franklin Covey Trainer, Licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, Certified John Maxwell Facilitator, and Certified ASA Sailing Instructor. Connect with Tim Dittloff: www.fullsailleadership.com www.catalystbuilds.com Tim's LinkedIn profile Resources Mentioned: Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family - Bob Chapman, Steven Menasche, et al Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude - Raymond M Kethledge and Michael S Erwin Episode 70: Nonprofit Giving Trends From the Last Two Years and 2022 Forecasting - Interview with Shannon McCracken, The Nonprofit Alliance Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.   Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing My TEDx Talk is live!! You can watch and share here: The Real ROI of Grant Writing I've been a longtime fan of learning from TEDx speakers, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to give a talk of my own! I share about nonprofits and how having the right ROI framework in place can open new doors. When most people hear ROI, they think ‘Return on Investment,' but when it comes to grant writing the ROI framework is different. We're looking for a Return on Impact. Nonprofits have to work on being relevant, optimizing your operations, and interacting authentically and meaningfully with others. Relevant Optimize Operations Interact authentically and meaningfully Return on Impact When a skilled chef is cooking, their secret ingredient can make the meal ten times better.  For grant writing, the secret sauce to a higher return on impact doesn't have to be a secret. It's not hidden or profound: It's to build true relationships with people. And it is important to build those relationships through each part of the ROI framework - your relevance, optimization, and interactions. Don't Skip Steps How have I helped dozens of nonprofits over the last two decades? By building relationships, and advising others to do the same.  It didn't start out easy or winning every time. I made a LOT of mistakes, especially at first. I didn't know any better. But that was part of the process. We HAVE to fail to get to success.  That's the part people try to skip. They skip the small failures because they're afraid. And in doing so, they set themselves up for bigger failure. “Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” - Sara Blakely. Challenge Question: What part of the ROI framework do you need to focus on? Find the TEDx Talk Here: TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing by Teresa Huff Other Resources Mentioned: Episode 14: Grant Writer Success Rates: Am I a Bad Grant Writer If I Don't Win the Grant?   Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip New Friends Make the World a Better Place As a little girl, I remember when I first heard of the Harlem Globetrotters. I got to see them in person a time or two and thought they were THE coolest thing ever. Still do. Even though I'm not much of a coordinated basketball player myself, I can appreciate the skill and conditioning it takes to play the sport. Throw in some fancy moves, entertainment, and personality like the Harlem Globetrotters, and you've got yourself a court full of magic. That's why I was super excited to meet a new friend who is a former Globetrotter. Not only that, but he's made it his life's work to spread a message we all need to hear - Kindness Is Free! Take Your Experiences and Make an Impact with Kindness I'd like to introduce you to Herbert “Flight Time” Lang. Herb is the founder of a nonprofit called the Kindness is Free Foundation. He spreads joy and kindness wherever he goes. Herb and I chat about the importance of mentorship, community, and choosing kindness first. As a newer nonprofit, Herb addresses the importance of identifying practical steps to meet your overall big goals, and as a former athlete, Herb advises us to apply the discipline of being consistent to whatever we do. Mentorship and Community Mentorship and community is important in our lives. Herb has a mentor to this day who started as his basketball coach when he was 12 years old. The impact his coach had on him has been incredible; you never know who you are impacting around you. Sometimes it takes time to see the fruit of your impact in others lives, but start planting seeds in the people around you and one day you will see the harvest. Remind people that they have value and prioritize your community. Choose Kindness First Choose to be kind in all you do and use kindness as your default, not as an exception nor as a tactic to get what you want. In this episode we learn how kindness has radically impacted Herb's life and how that has provided him with incredible experiences and the ability to make large contributions to better his communities. This conversation is a great reminder for all of us to: Care about all people that you encounter, independent of what they can do for you. Do the right thing, because it's the right thing. Choose to focus on the good things in life. Pick your perspective. Surround yourself with these types of people because you become like those around you. Challenge Question: This week's challenge question is simple: How can you choose kindness today? Meet Herbert Lang: Herbert “Flight Time” Lang was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters for 18 wonderful years and traveled to almost 100 different countries. After leaving, he created a Facebook group for past members of the Harlem Globetrotters to maintain community and support one another as they transitioned into new parts of their lives. Herb has been on The Amazing Race and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Currently Herb is a motivational speaker and runs the Kindness is Free Foundation. Herb is also a TEDx speaker and works with a Hollywood production company to build television show concepts. Husband to Elena and father of three (Antonio, Nicholas, and Reya), Herb lives his life based on the mantra of treating people with kindness. He regularly uses the hashtag #kindnessisfree in online correspondence, and emphasizes that one's success is determined by how many people we impact, and not how much money we make. Connect with Herbert Lang: Herb's Website Kindness is Free Podcast LinkedIn Twitter Instagram TEDx Talk Resources: Projects Popes and Presidents: An Inspirational Journey That Shows How You Can Overcome Life's Obstacles and Achieve Your Dreams - Herbert Lang Cracking the Rich Code, Volume 4 - Jim Britt and Kevin Harrington Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer and kickstart your grant writing career today: www.teresahuff.com/vip The Quest for the Perfect Water Bottle A couple of years ago I needed a new water bottle. But not just any water bottle. You see, even though it's a small thing, it's also a big thing. I drink a lot of water all day, every day. I feel all weird and shrively if I don't. Because it's such an everyday thing for me, a water bottle is an important decision. It had to be just right. We're talking…Color. Size. Shape. Lid. Spout. Straw. Handle. Price. Lightweight. Fits in my hand. Fits in my car cup holder. Keeps it cold in a hot car for days. The brand didn't matter as long as it fit ALL the other requirements. Not asking for much, right? I finally stumbled across what looked like the perfect water bottle combination, so I added it to my Christmas list. I'd never heard of the brand before, but decided to give it a chance. My husband was happy to have the recommendation and checked it off his list. Best water bottle decision ever. Simple Modern is now my go-to water bottle brand. Lest you think this is a commercial, though, turns out there's a whole lot more to the story than just a good water bottle. After reading more about Simple Modern, I connected with the CEO. Pretty soon it was obvious that you needed to talk with him too, so - here we are. Today I'm chatting with Mike Beckham, the CEO of Simple Modern. He's full of wisdom on leadership, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. Mike gives us guidance on how skills in both the for-profit world and the nonprofit world translate to support one another, how we can develop a quality of life and corporate culture, and what factors help create a successful organization. Listen in for some tips of gold! Challenge Question: How can you best steward your resources right now by transferring skills you already have into the nonprofit world? Meet Mike Beckham: Mike's career began by working for the nonprofit Christian ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ, also known as CRU. He then transitioned into founding many e-commerce businesses, and is most recently the CEO of Simple Modern. Simple Modern's mission statement is, “We exist to give generously,” and Mike is passionate about sharing his experiences with others. Mike is also the entrepreneur-in-residence for the Tom Love Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Oklahoma. Connect with Mike: Simple Modern Simple Modern Amazon Store LinkedIn Twitter Blog Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip   The Variety of Nonprofit Fundraising Lately we've been covering some awesome fundraising and leadership topics - major gifts, corporate sponsors, lean startups, and more. Even though the last few episodes aren't directly about grant writing, they'll sure help you with grants in the long run! A well-rounded approach to your nonprofit's fundraising plan is a big key to success. Grants are only one piece of the pie; it's important to have other pieces in place too. In this episode I'm talking with the executive director of Nonprofit Hub, Katie Appold. We discuss making sure we are prepared for meetings with donors, myths that surround the nonprofit world, and the importance of sharing your financial information publicly. Challenge Question: In what way can you make your administrative, fundraising, and overhead costs available to your donors? Meet Katie Appold: Katie Appold is executive director of Nonprofit Hub, the nonprofit behind the nationally recognized programs Cause Network and Cause Camp. She has spent over twenty years in the nonprofit sector serving in leadership roles at foundations, publishers, and community-based causes. Katie is also the host of the Good to Growth Podcast, a member of several nonprofit professional organizations, and an active volunteer. Connect with Katie: Nonprofit Hub's Website Katie Appold's LinkedIn Good to Growth Podcast Resources: Cause Camp Board Source Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Happy Birthday to Grant Writing Simplified! This month I'm celebrating TWO YEARS of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast! How crazy is that!! I was scared to death to start the podcast two years ago, but here we are over 100 episodes later and it's been a blast. I've met some of the most incredible people all over the world because of it, and some amazing grant writers have gone through the Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Program. It's been quite a ride. Whether you're new or you've been around a while, THANK YOU for being a part of the journey!!! The Growth and Challenge of Nonprofit Work and Grant Writing Grant writing - and all of nonprofit work, really, is full of highs and lows.  The highs are awesome, like winning your first grant. Or the hundredth! The lows can be pretty discouraging and isolating sometimes. But the thing is, we can't base our value or success on those extremes. See, there's not really a finish line. At every level we're going to have challenges that will stretch and push us. We all started with that first grant. I kept going, kept practicing, and kept improving. Then different projects came along and those presented new challenges.  Then last week I stepped into an ENTIRELY new challenge and gave a TEDx Talk! That was a completely foreign experience for me, but I had a blast and am so grateful for the opportunity. (And I can't wait to share the video with you when it's live!) All these accomplishments are cause for celebration, and the lows are a great education. Strangely enough, though, we may not ever feel like we've “arrived.” Once we reach one level, we're working toward the next. And I've realized that's an important part of the journey. Challenge Question: What is your next step? It can be big or small, but take the step! Send me a message and let me know. I'd love to cheer you on! If you need help, book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: TEDx Talk - Coming soon! Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Today I'm talking to Linda Lysakowski about corporate fundraising. She's a brilliant resource and draws on decades of experience. If you're wondering how to get more help from businesses in your community, this is the perfect episode for you! Brainstorm Your Network Your board members, staff, fundraising committee, and volunteers know people. You never know the personal connections you have to people or corporations that are untapped within your circle until you dig into it. It's important to remember that you don't have to only reach out to the big corporations because that's who you think is capable of donating to your cause. Think about the smaller or “average” businesses like a painting company or car washes. Smaller organizations often give to help others because they understand what that can do for someone else. How To Begin Corporate Fundraising The best thing to do is to get involved and build relationships first. After your team has brainstormed your connections, really interact with individuals in those corporations, whether it's a friend or relative, long-time business partner, or acquaintance at a networking event, and make sure they don't feel like a means to an end. They need to know you care about them as individuals and not just as a check. Ask for advice from them regarding the best interests of your nonprofit. It shows respect and can help your nonprofit grow by learning new perspectives. Your corporate connections can help you in more ways than just financially, but when you do ask for a donation, address how your nonprofit can serve that corporation specifically and help them see the mutual benefit. Challenge Question: Which strategy Linda shared are you going to begin implementing? Meet Linda Lysakowski: Linda is one of just over 100 professionals worldwide to hold the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive designation. In her thirty-plus years in the development field, she has managed capital campaigns, helped dozens of nonprofit organizations achieve their development goals, and has trained more than 50,000 professionals in Mexico, Canada, Egypt, Bermuda, and most of the fifty United States.  Linda is a graduate of Alvernia College in Reading, PA with majors in Banking and Finance; Communications; and Theology/Philosophy and is a candidate for a master's degree in Theological Studies at the University of San Diego.  Linda has received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive award from the Eastern PA, Las Vegas, and Sierra (NV) chapters of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals). She has a full list of over 40 published books to her name. Learn more at www.lindalysakowski.com. Connect with Linda: Linda's Website Email: Linda@LindaLysakowski.com Available Courses Resources: If you would like Lynda's Brainstorming Form, email her at Linda@LindaLysakowski.com Mentoring Series - Grant Writing Simplified Podcast Episodes 26-31 by Teresa Huff Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I'd like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Meet me in...Delaware! Grab your tickets for my TEDx Talk on October 13, 2022! Do Major Gifts Seem Initimidating? A lot of people are super intimidated by fundraising, yet it's a big part of nonprofit work. You've heard me talk a lot about needing multiple sources of funding for your nonprofit. Grants alone won't do the trick. That's why I've brought in another expert for you. In this episode I'm talking with Kevin Fitzpatrick from the One Visit Away Podcast about Major Gifts.  What action is going to help you learn that donor's major gift potential? Having one on one in-person conversations with them!  Kevin explains to us why the key to obtaining major gifts is to set times to meet in person with your donors. Challenge Question: Which donor of yours can you reach out to this week to set up a time to meet up with personally?  I'd love to hear how it goes! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Meet Kevin Fitzpatrick Kevin is the founder of One Visit Away where he teaches others how to use interpersonal relationships to obtain larger monetary donations for nonprofits. He is also the host of the One Visit Away podcast which is the #1 rated Major Gift Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Connect with Kevin: One Visit Away - Podcast One Visit Away - Website Kevin Fitzpatrick - LinkedIn Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: Book: Born to Raise: What Makes a Great Fundraiser Great by Jerold Panas Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Meet me in...Delaware! Grab your tickets for my TEDx Talk in October! Remember Your Mission and Put In the Work In this episode we talk with Katherine Kreuchauf about Lean Nonprofit Startups. What does that mean exactly? We learn that a successful nonprofit requires not only a heart for a cause, but thoughtful action, quick adjustments, and valuable investments. Katherine shares so many wonderful pieces of advice for how to focus on your mission and be successful in making a lasting impact. We cover: Should you start a nonprofit? The value of pivoting What it looks like to be a lean nonprofit Picking the right board members 5 skills a nonprofit needs Challenge Question: What's one tip from Kathy that you can begin implementing in your nonprofit this week? I'd love to hear it! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Meet Katherine Kreuchauf An award winning professional in philanthropy, Katherine Kreuchauf focuses on supporting nonprofit and foundation leaders and continues her commitment to strengthening nonprofit boards, fundraising, and effective programming. Before forming OnPoint Philanthropic Consulting, she led The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation for 12 years. Prior to that she headed a local United Way for 11 years as well as a health-related nonprofit organization. Connect with Katherine: www.onpointphilanthropy.com - Check out the webinar on her Resources page Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Resources Mentioned: Book: Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability by Jeanne Bell  BoardSource  Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Big Announcement for Q4! In the last episode, I hinted that I've got some awesome things coming up this fall in Q4. 2022 is far from over, and I'm committing to some big steps this year!  I'm heading to Wilmington, Delaware, to give a TEDx talk in October! AND you're invited to join me live! Grab your tickets here and send me a message that you're coming. I'd love to have some friends in the seats. How a Nonprofit Can Become Grant Ready I often talk about the importance of grant readiness and how nonprofits need to have specific things in place before they apply for grants. You can learn more about this way back in Episode 6 where I walk you through some foundational pieces. This is so important that I created a free Grant Readiness Audit for you at teresahuff.com/grantready. One of the big pieces of becoming grant ready is making sure you have several sources of funding in place. You can't live from grant to grant - that's not a sustainable funding strategy. In Episode 34 I talked through a TON of different fundraising ideas - over 60! - to help trigger some creative thinking. Now this list is not intended to overwhelm you and your team! The last thing you want to do is go out and try to tackle all of them at once! Pick one, master it, reevaluate, and go from there. Advice from the Experts Because grants can't be the only answer to nonprofit funding, I've rounded up some experts to help you.  You'll want to bring your pen and notebook over the next few episodes! I wanted to pop in today to give you a heads up about what's coming up the next few weeks. This would be a great time to go back and listen to the other episodes I mentioned, Episode 6 and 34, so you can come into the next couple of conversations with a bit of background. It's also a great time to be thinking through your upcoming fundraising strategy as we head into Q4 and start planning for next year. Challenge Question: What big steps are you commiting to so you can end 2022 strong?  If you need help, book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Resources Mentioned: Come to my live TEDx Talk in Wilmington, Delaware! Tickets are here Episode 6: Grant Readiness: How to Build the Foundation for Successful Grant Writing Episode 34: 60+ Fundraising Ideas and 9 Questions to Help You Choose Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today: www.teresahuff.com/vip Recognize How To Use Your Skillset To Start A Grant Writing Business This week is an on-air strategy call, one of my favorite ways to coach grant writers! I'm chatting with Lori Smith, a former special education teacher like me. We have a lot in common and I understand the types of work she's been doing already. In this episode we're talking about how Lori's skillset as a special ed teacher can transfer to grant writing. I encourage her to think about: What skills do you currently have that transfer to grant writing? Recognize the constraints in grant writing and nonprofit organizations Constraints are a good challenge to allow you to think more creatively and to help contain and define the work in grant writing How to maximize your impact as a grant writer Strengths beneficial in grant writing and nonprofits: writing, problem-solving, scheduling, flexibility and adaptability, positivity, compassion, patience Generate ideas easily and brainstorm How Can You Get Started as a Grant Writer? Lori and I cover several proactive steps she can do to make the transition into grant writing, such as: Recognize what you already know and what resources are available to you. Consider your network, both online and offline. Leverage your connections in your community. The best source of clients is word of mouth. Your experience will draw clients in.  Listen in to hear more about Lori's story and see how you can apply the strategies to your grant writing career!   Challenge Question: What skillset do you have that would be helpful in grant writing or in a nonprofit?  Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: NIO Summit: www.niosummit.com - Use the code ICTH22 to get $400 off your 2022 ticket! Episodes 43-36: FAST Focus Power Series Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Two Grant Writing Pros Talk Shop Today I'm excited to host my podcasting friend and grant writing coach Holly Rustick. Holly brings a wealth of experience from her longtime career in grant writing and consulting. Holly and I talk about common mistakes we've seen over the years, struggles we've experienced, and several ways nonprofits can position themselves more competitively for grant funding.  Tips for Building Your Successful Grant Writing Business In addition, we both understand the challenge of pricing your services and setting up your consulting business. We talk about: How to think through pricing your services as a grant writing consultant Factoring in expenses and profit margin Taking your experience into account Building confidence in your pricing Setting boundaries, saying yes, and saying no Holly also has some great encouragement for new grant writers who are wondering if there's room at the table for you. Short answer: YES! Yes, there is plenty of room. She urges collaboration with others while finding your own unique approach.  Challenge Question: What surprised you about this conversation? How will you incorporate our tips into your grant writing? I'd love to hear it! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Meet Holly Rustick World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick loves to coach others to enhance their grant writing and business skills. She coaches thousands of people every week through her top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and via the Hub Haven on how to take actionable bite-sized steps in grant writing and entrepreneurship. While teaching in Kuwait and then earning a Master's Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations around the world throughout the past 16+ years, Holly has a mission to train other grant writers to create a multiplier effect in raising an exponential amount of money for nonprofits all over the world. As an unapologetic feminist, Holly believes her work - whether it is securing funding to advance the mission of nonprofits, coaching a female entrepreneur to understand value-based pricing, or writing a rom-com novel that stars the heroine as a renegade – inspires women to radiate in their full potential.  To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce and currently sits on the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.  If you are interested in advancing your grant writing skills or transitioning into freelance grant writing, be sure to check out Holly's articles, books, and podcasts at www.grantwritingandfunding.com. Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Celebrate 100 Episodes with Me! Today I'm thrilled to hit a big podcasting milestone - 100 episodes! Will you help me celebrate by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts? Together we can help others find the resources they need to change the world! Want to Meet Up in Kansas City? Join me at the NIO Summit on September 20-23, 2022, and use the code ICTH22 to get a whopping $400 off your ticket!! Sign up here and I'll see you there! Top 10 Random Questions About My Grant Writing Career A few weeks ago, I sat down and brainstormed a list of 10 random questions I thought you might enjoy hearing about. Then I promptly forgot about the list, so this episode gives you my off-the-cuff, unrehearsed answers! I'll share things like: Weirdest grant application I've written Strangest client situation Most random grant request Biggest grant loss The office supply I can't live without What I like most about grant writing The biggest plot twist in my grant writing journey My favorite ways to unwind on an average day A couple of things I despise most Biggest lesson I've learned along the way Challenge Question: What's been the most valuable lesson so far in your career? I'd love to hear it! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer and let's get you moving! If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.   Resources Mentioned: Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip. How Can You Improve Your Grant Writing? Sometimes the best answer to that question is to ask the obvious. Oftentimes we think we're perfectly clear, but are we really? The past few episodes we've been talking about the importance of clarity - in our work, our messaging, our communications, and especially our grant writing. That then becomes the catalyst for becoming more effective. With a grant application, for example, ask yourself, "Is this clear enough that my mom could understand it?" If not, you might need to revisit how you're presenting the information. Be Brave Enough to Ask Better Questions If we ask ourselves better questions, we get better answers. Today I want to challenge you with 5 questions to dig down and help uncover important insights: What are we doing well? What's clear? What's unclear? What can be improved? What are we afraid to ask/afraid to find out? Then give yourself space to listen and look for connections.  Challenge Question: What obvious questions do you need to ask?  If you need help asking the questions, book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: Episode 95: 5 Tips to Improve Your Grant Writing Clarity  Episode 96: Strategy Call: Gaining Clarity for a Nonprofit's Next Steps Episode 97: Master of One: The Role of Excellence in Our Work Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Uncover Your Secret Strengths With at least half of the population being introverts, either you are an introvert, or you'll interact with someone who is. No matter what, others won't be quite like us in how we think, feel, or communicate. And that's a good thing!  This topic has been a game changer for me in leaning into my grant writing career. That's why I'm excited to finally have the chance to talk about it with today's guest. The better we understand ourselves and how we work, relate, and rest effectively, the more we can build much more impactful and influential relationships with those around us. Great strengths come from both introverts and extroverts. To maximize those, it's helpful to understand the unique needs. Each style is most effective when we can draw out those special attributes.  Since we don't always recognize when an ability is considered a gift, these conversations are important. That's why I invited David Hall on the show! He's full of insights and practical advice for leaning into our strengths. David Hall, host of the podcast The Quiet and the Strong, Especially for Introverts, explores the world through the eyes of a fellow introvert. He discusses his journey to figuring out that he is an introvert and understanding introversion. By embracing these gifts and understanding them, we can learn to be good in our own skin.    Challenge Question: Are you an introvert or an extrovert? How can you better lean into your natural strengths? If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Meet David Hall David Hall, M.Ed., is the creator of QuietandStrong.com. He is an author, blogger, podcaster and speaker on a mission to help introverts discover their strengths and honor their needs.  David has also spent 20+ years working in higher education, and has given many workshops, trainings, and presentations on personality, strengths, and introversion/extroversion. His book, Minding Your Time: Time Management, Productivity, and Success, Especially for Introverts, helps readers understand themselves and their introversion to be more successful in managing their time and productivity. Listen to the full episode for a fascinating conversation about the needs, strengths, and thoughts of introverts. “We do come with natural gifts and abilities, and sometimes it's so natural…we don't recognize what a gift it is.”  Connect with David: www.quietandstrong.com Instagram: @quiet_and_strong www.twitter.com/quietandstrong Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: David Hall's book, Minding Your Time: Time Management, Productivity, and Success, Especially for Introverts Clifton Strengthsfinder Myers-Briggs Test Love and Work by Marcus Buckingham Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe Episode 95: 5 Tips to Improve Your Grant Writing Clarity  Episode 96: Strategy Call: Gaining Clarity for a Nonprofit's Next Steps Episode 97: Master of One: The Role of Excellence in Our Work Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Clarity Is the Key to Unlock Mastery The last couple of weeks we've been talking about the importance of clarity. Before we can be effective in our work, we must a) be clear ourselves, and then b) be able to clearly convey that to others. Today's guest is on a journey to gain clarity so he can serve with excellence. You've heard me mention him several times on the show and I've often recommended his book Master of One. I'm honored to talk with Jordan Raynor, author, entrepreneur, and podcaster. He is passionate about the idea that our work matters for eternity, and he's on a journey to help others discover how they can best serve with purpose. Jordan shares so much wisdom for doing our work with excellence, setting clear goals, and growing a team. He shares a wealth of experiences in the interview. You'll find this interview inspiring and challenging to keep pursuing your path to mastery.  Pursuing Excellence Jordan shares some incredible nuggets. We cover: Mastering one thing well instead of spreading too thin across many things The importance of clarity When to pivot vs. when to persevere Setting goals and collecting data to help make decisions OKR = Objectives and Key Results goal-setting framework Challenges of growing a team Getting the right people in the right seats and the importance of having A+ talent on your team Advice for those looking for clarity and purpose in their work I appreciate Jordan's encouragement and down to earth advice for finding clarity and focusing in on the right things.    Challenge Question: Jordan and I talked about several key areas in order to master our one thing well. Which one do you need to focus on the most right now? If you enjoyed this episode, you can book a 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Meet Jordan Raynor Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for eternity. He does this through his bestselling books (The Creator in You, Redeeming Your Time, Master of One, and Called to Create), podcast (Mere Christians), and weekly devotional (The Word Before Work)—content that has served millions of Christ-followers in every country on earth. In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa. Connect with Jordan: Jordanraynor.com The Word Before Work - www.jordanraynor.com/twbw Instagram: @jordanraynor Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Resources Mentioned: Jordan Raynor's books: The Creator in You, Redeeming Your Time, Master of One, and Called to Create No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday Quote: “The people on this planet who end up doing nothing are those who never realized they couldn't do everything.” - Kevin DeYoung New Story Charity with Brett Hagler Episode 95: 5 Tips to Improve Your Grant Writing Clarity  Episode 96: Strategy Call: Gaining Clarity for a Nonprofit's Next Steps Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Importance of Clarity People won't support what they don't understand. We must have clarity in order to make an impact.  In this week's on-air nonprofit coaching call, I'm working with the lovely Dooshima David-Jang, a nonprofit leader from Nigeria. Inspired by her father's legacy, she started a nonprofit when she saw a disconnect in her community. First we had to dig into what that really meant. Then we could design a short-term action plan so she can gather more information from the community while serving them at the same time. Finally, she asks if I have any insights about why her grant for a much-needed idea wasn't funded. For all three points, it all boils down to clarity and impact. Let's dive in! Clarity Is the Key to Making an Impact I hope you're starting to see the power of clarity and strategic thinking. In Dooshima's case: She first needed to get clear on the impact she wants to make with her nonprofit. Then she needed an action plan to find the shortest distance from Point A to Point B. That way she can build momentum, develop community partnerships, and iterate her programs. That will give her more powerful leverage in the future when she's ready to start applying for grant funding. Challenge Question: Is there an area you're holding back because of a lack of clarity? If so, we need to dig in and polish it up!  If you enjoyed this episode, you can book your own 1:1 strategy session with me at teresahuff.com/mentor. The world needs you out there making a difference! Connect with me over on LinkedIn or send me a message. And if you need more support, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer already and let's get you moving! Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit? Are you feeling overwhelmed with trying to help your nonprofit apply for grants? Go through the free audit and I'll help you sort out the next steps for your organization. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz: If you're ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn't as far as they thought. Let's figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world. If you're ready to step up your nonprofit game in 2022, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you. Other Episodes Mentioned: Episode 95: 5 Tips to Improve Your Grant Writing Clarity  Wondering how to find grants and keep up with all the applications? Check out Instrumentl! It's a robust grant search, tracking, and project management tool. Go to teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the code GWSPOD for a free two-week trial AND $50 off your first month Connect with Teresa Huff: Website: www.teresahuff.com Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer? Social: LinkedIn Community LinkedIn Instagram Pinterest Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:  www.teresahuff.com/vip