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Since 2015, over 4,000 organizations have used Instrumentl to find, win, and manage more than $6.7 billion in grant funding, empowering them to expand their impact on critical missions. Since 2015, over 4,000 organizations have used Instrumentl to find, win, and manage more than $6.7 billion in grant funding, empowering them to expand their impact on critical missions such as educating children, protecting endangered species, and restoring natural habitats.

07/10/2024

Ever wonder what makes a grant proposal stand out to a funder?

Grant professionals from Instrumentl's Expert Council share their secrets on uncovering these priorities:

1. Mining the Public Record: ⛏️

👉 Chase, CFRE: "Always review the funder's 990. It reveals past giving patterns, typical grant sizes, and geographic focus."

👉 Erin Sekerak, Grants Consultant: "I look at their 990s. They offer valuable insights into a funder's giving history."

👉 Theresa Fowler, MA, GPC, Certified Grant Professional: "Do your research, check website, 990, etc. It's a treasure trove of information!"

Going Beyond the Surface:

👉 Teresa Huff, ACNP, Nonprofit Strategist & Podcast Host: "Look at more than just the surface-level info on their website. Study their past giving trends and look for patterns."

2. Picking Up The Phone: 📞

👉 Chester Beard, Seasoned Grant Writer: "When I contact them and discuss what they want to see happen with their money once allocated, I find out so much information about the funder that I would not find otherwise. Questions come up in conversation that I would not necessarily come to mind while I am looking at a computer screen trying to write an email."

What strategies do you use to uncover a funder's priorities? Share your tips in the comments! 🤩

12/27/2023

Applying for one grant application might NOT get you any grants.

Yes, you read that right.

According to 2017 data from U.S. nonprofits, the more applications you submit, the greater your chances of winning that coveted grant.

Let’s break down what the study revealed about submitting grant fund applications:

🎯 1 Application: 63% of respondents won at least one grant.
🌟 2 Applications: 75% of respondents won at least one grant.
✨3 to 5 Applications: 89% of respondents won at least one grant.
🔥6 to 10 Applications: 96% of respondents won at least one grant.
💪11 to 20 Applications: 98% of respondents won at least one grant.
🚀21 to 30 Applications: 99% of respondents won at least one grant.

It’s quite clear that submitting 3 or more grant applications to various funders is the ‘magic number’ to actually score a grant.

The lesson?
Don’t stop after sending out that one application and don’t stop after getting that one rejection.

Keep creating grant applications and apply until your dream funder finds you!

Has sending out multiple grant applications worked for you? Tell us your thoughts & experiences!

12/22/2023

Here are 6 things you MUST keep doing after you get the grant:

👉 Verify that you’ve met all the grant conditions

👉 Keep the funders informed with consistent updates.

👉 Compare actual spending to planned spending

👉 Maintain accessible and accurate documentation

👉 Be prepared for potential audits

👉 Conclude the grant in a manner that satisfies the donor, meeting all requirements and providing a comprehensive overview of the outcomes achieved.

What do you do after you score a grant? Share your tips below!

12/20/2023

Here’s the best Pre-Grant Checklist to help you win that next grant!

🎯 Get the Specifics Right:
Understand the unique requirements of each grant, ensuring you're fully aligned with their expectations.

🎯 Take Note of the Timelines:
Develop a clear understanding of the timeline of the grant deadlines and plan backward accordingly.

🎯 Determine Your Fit:
See if your organization aligns with the priorities of the grantor to ensure you’re a good match.

🎯 Assemble a Winning Team:
Build a diverse team with clear roles and responsibilities so there’s a clear point person for each grant you’re going to pursue.

🎯 Prioritize your Grant Type:
Based on your suitability, prioritize which grants you want to pursue, be it government agencies, foundations, corporations, or other grantors.

🎯 Craft a Winning Proposal:
Get to work on crafting a compelling proposal that effectively communicates your nonprofit's mission and impact.

Remember, the goal of the pre-award stage is to lay the foundation for a successful grant application.

So get your prep right and set the stage for success!

How do you manage your pre-award phase? Share in the comments below!

12/19/2023

The most successful nonprofits use these 6 hacks to get sizeable grants:

🌟 Start Small: Prove yourself with smaller grants first. It builds trust and shows you can handle the big leagues.

🤝 Join forces with other nonprofits: Team up with other nonprofits for a project. This move can often attract grant reviewers' attention.

📈 Show your Impact: Showcase your impact through timely and accurate grant reports for smaller grants, to support your case for larger grants.

🚀 Plan Like a Pro: Craft a strong plan to show the funders how you’re going to use their funding and tell them you mean serious business.

🎯 Align your Mission: Make sure your mission aligns with funders' priorities and highlight that in your proposals.

When it comes to securing sizeable grants, it’s more than just submitting an application; it’s about putting the right strategies in action.

The most successful nonprofits always have a plan to win significant grants.

So, if you want to qualify for big grants, it’s time to gear up and elevate your strategies.

What strategies do you use to apply for bigger grants?

12/17/2023

Want to find the right funders?

Answer these questions first!

👉 Does your nonprofit have a mission that aligns with your funder's priorities?

👉 Does your nonprofit have sound financials?

👉Does your nonprofit have a leadership team that reflects the population served?

👉 Does your nonprofit have outcome data and/or evidence for its model?

If you hesitated to answer “yes” to any of the above, you may risk losing out on grant opportunities.

Get the fundamentals of your nonprofit in place and you’re already one step closer to finding your dream funder!

What are your go-to tasks to find the right funders?

12/15/2023

You know you're ready for a grant when…

👉 You've got a solid plan for what your organization will do with the money

👉 You can explain the value of your organization to potential funders

👉 You have a track record of getting things done without funding

Now, your turn!

End the sentence: “I know I’m grant ready when…”

Let us know in the comments.

12/06/2023

Your Nonprofit CANNOT function without THIS Grant!

This grant is the General Operating Grant- a type of unrestricted fund that is not restricted to specific projects and can be used for regular operations of a nonprofit.

But why do you need them?

👉 For Increased Flexibility: Adapt to changes, cover essential costs, and venture into innovative programs without restrictions.

👉 To be your Safety Net: Cover rent, salaries, and other expenses, and innovate without constraints.

👉 For Faster Actions: Gain the power to respond swiftly to emerging needs, seize unexpected opportunities, and drive lasting change.

👉 To Unlock Potential: With General Operating Grants, you can easily support your day-to-day operations and fund new programs and initiatives, eventually enhancing the credibility of your nonprofit.

Do you agree that nonprofits cannot function without general operating grants? Let us know in the comments.

12/04/2023

Wondering where to start your hunt for General Operating Grants?

🔍 Research Smart: Dive into Instrumentl’s database, filtering specifically for general operating grants that match your field of work and mission.

💼 Connect with Local Community Foundations: Connect with local foundations for insights on grants tailored to your region.

💬 Engage with Peers: Join online forums and social media groups dedicated to nonprofits. Share your experiences and learn from others who have successfully secured General Operating Grants.

🤝 Network, Network, Network: Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences. Connect with fellow changemakers to discover grant opportunities and share insights.

🔭 Research Corporate Philanthropy: Many corporations offer general operating grants. Dive into their philanthropic initiatives and discover potential funding partners.

📑 Review Funder Guidelines: Do a proper review of funder guidelines. Some may not explicitly mention general operating grants, but their criteria may still align.

📆 Set a Schedule: Dedicate specific times each week for grant research and applications to stay organized and focused.

📰 Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters and follow grantmakers on social media to stay in the loop for the latest opportunities.

💪 Leverage Your Impact: Clearly articulate your organization's mission and impact. General Operating Grants often favor nonprofits that demonstrate a strong track record of making a difference.

What are your go-to strategies for finding general operating grants?

10/06/2023

Here's the secret sauce to nonprofit success: Stewardship and donor relations are a dynamic duo, inseparable and unstoppable.

Effective stewardship doesn't just coexist with donor relations; it supercharges them.

When you show donors their impact, gratitude, and recognition, you're building a bond that's unbreakable.

🔄 The Cycle Begins: Strong donor relations don't stop there.
• They fuel engaged stewardship.
• The more connected donors feel, the more invested they become in your mission.

🔥 It's a Firestarter: This cycle isn't just a wheel; it's a firestarter.
• Effective stewardship strengthens donor relations, which, in turn, ignites more engaged stewardship.
• It's a perpetual motion machine of support and impact.

How have you seen this cycle at work in your nonprofit journey?

Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! 👇

10/05/2023

Creating successful community partnerships is all about results. Get ready to supercharge your collaborations with these five practical best practices:

• Prioritize Open Communication: 🗣️ Regular, honest communication is key. Keep the dialogue open, share updates, and tackle challenges together. It's the foundation of trust. 💬

• Define Clear Expectations: 📝 Set clear roles and responsibilities from day one. Avoid confusion and hold each other accountable. What are your go-to strategies for setting expectations? Share below!

• Cultivate Mutual Respect: ✨ Recognize the unique strengths each partner brings to the table. Respect these differences to drive collaboration. How do you promote respect in your partnerships? Tell us your tactics!

• Invest in Relationship Building: 🎉 Beyond business, focus on building personal connections. Team-building activities and informal gatherings can strengthen your bonds. How do you nurture camaraderie in your partnerships? Share your ideas!

• Regularly Assess and Adapt: 🔄 Partnerships evolve. Regular evaluations help you stay effective. Stay agile and be ready to adjust. What's your strategy for staying relevant in changing circumstances? Share your insights!

Ready to put these practical tips into action? We'd love to hear which one you find most effective!

Share your thoughts below. 👇

09/19/2023

📣 New feature alert: Grant Overview Tab

No more hunting for grant information! We're excited to introduce the Grant Overview Tab, a cleaner way to see all details for each of your grants.

What’s new❓
Your grant management just got a whole lot easier! The Grant Overview Tab is your one-stop destination for all your grant information needs.

Here's what you can expect👇

• Consolidated Grant Details: Access key grant information, including application dates, deadlines, tasks, team members, funder profiles, and your notes—all in one place.
• Streamlined Grant Status: Easily track the status of each grant opportunity, whether past or present.

🚀 Why You'll Love It
Say goodbye to the hassle of hunting for grant details. The Grant Overview Tab provides a clean and efficient way to stay on top of your grant opportunities, ensuring you’re always on top of each grant.

👉 Learn more: https://www.instrumentl.com/blog/introducing-instrumentls-fall-2023-release

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