The Modern Nonprofit

JUNE 8, 2021

Grants are a great funding resource— over $50 billion dollars are awarded by foundations to charitable organizations every year. Read on to see how you can maximize the effectiveness of your grant proposal: 1. In your proposal, explain how and why your organization fits those guidelines. Don’t use empty jargon in your proposal.

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Grant Tips Proposal Storytelling 98

Candid

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

At a recent webinar hosted by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Jennifer Chheang of The California Endowment (TCE) and Allie VanHeast of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KCF) shared how they are using Demographics via Candid in practice to better understand alignment with institutional goals and measure their progress.

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Demographics Lesson Action Data 116

Candid

APRIL 4, 2023

One of the best ways to get your proposals on top of the pile is familiarizing funders with your nonprofit and mission. 4 actionable tips for growing your nonprofit funder network Now, it’s time to get the conversation started. Find out if you qualify for a free year of Foundation Directory as part of our Go for the Gold program.)

Relationship 119

Relationship Build Tips Practice 119

.orgSource

APRIL 17, 2023

Welcome every proposal. We’ve tried to compensate for the lack of coffee machine/breakroom conversations in several ways. Intentional communicators bring a sense of responsibility and thoughtfulness to the conversation. In this age of unprecedented processing power, why is critical thinking important?

Skills 221

Skills Collaboration Communication Classroom 221

Nonprofit Tech for Good

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Prior to soliciting proposals from vendors in a formal request for proposals (RFP), you can have informal conversations with them in a request for information or RFI process where you articulate your needs and invite them to provide feedback and express interest in your project. Step 5: Finalize a Budget and Timeline.

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Websites Analytics Project Proposal 304

ASU Lodestar Center

JUNE 9, 2016

This means every proposal or appeal you write has a lot of competition. The good part is, there are a few things you can do to make sure your proposal stands out from the pack. Before you even start your proposal, do some research on the potential investor. But, truth be told, all good proposals will do the same.

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Proposal Effective United Kingdom Language 40

Amy Sample Ward

AUGUST 24, 2009

The SXSW Panel Picker is now open for your thumbs up or down on the thousands of panels proposed for next year’s SXSWInteractive festival. There are many exciting proposals available for your vote. Beth Kanter has a terrific round up of nonprofit technology panels proposed for SXSW. What’s SXSWi ?

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Nptech Conversation Proposal Social Media 111

sgEngage

MAY 13, 2022

In my years as a grantseeker and nonprofit consultant, I’ve waded through dozens of ambiguous foundation websites that make it impossible to know how to get even a foot in the door to be considered for funding. Being upfront in this way will save you from having even more awkward conversations down the road. Don’t lead anyone on.

Relationship 77

Relationship Foundation Grant Fund 77

Bloomerang

MARCH 10, 2023

Today’s question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on whether it’s okay to apply for a corporate grant and sponsorship at the same time: Is it okay to make an ask for a sponsorship (say, for an event) from a corporation AND separately to that corporation’s independent charitable foundation? – – Too Greedy?

Grant 53

Grant Homeless Proposal Foundation 53

Amy Sample Ward

JUNE 15, 2010

Meyer Memorial Trust is a private foundation in Oregon, USA, that has a pioneering spirit and is always up to something new, different, and meaningful – plus it is quite near to my heart. Meyer Memorial Trust is the largest private foundation in Oregon, established from Fred G. Meyer’s personal estate.

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Oregon Foundation Ideas Award 140

Connection Cafe

MARCH 20, 2017

Ensuring that your foundation makes impactful grants to the right nonprofit partners starts with a thorough proposal evaluation. A proposal should include more than just the organization’s mission statement and program description. Detailed Budget: Does the proposal include a detailed line-item budget?

Proposal 30

Proposal Evaluation Grant Measure 30

Deborah Elizabeth Finn

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

I recently had a conversation with a friend and colleague about what I perceive to be a revolution in progress. The origins of some foundations’ wealth, which in some cases includes slavery and other forms of exploitation. Unicorns Unite: How nonprofits and foundations can build EPIC Partnerships.

Philanthropy 98

Philanthropy Open Participatory Evaluation 98

Qgiv

JULY 17, 2023

Provide the tools Offer folks training to increase their skills so they can hold conversations about DEI. Those in positions of power can invite traditionally excluded people to the table, but to sustain meaningful dialogue, everyone must have some skills to hold these important and often difficult conversations.

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Activities Active Activism Organization 97

Bloomerang

JULY 28, 2021

When I talk with nonprofit and foundation leaders, many ask me how to ensure they get the right consultant for their projects. By partnering with a skilled practitioner who understands your needs and is familiar with the field, the proposal you ultimately create has a greater chance of success. no more than 5 typos in the proposal”).

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Consultant Process Proposal Nonprofit 122

sgEngage

JANUARY 22, 2024

Those questions can be in an application, in conversations with program officers, or during the deliberation meetings with your board. Or cover it during a conversation instead of the application. What do your questions or materials say about you, your foundation, or your family? Take it out. Streamline your process!

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Question Application Reflection Philanthropy 83

NonProfit Hub

FEBRUARY 21, 2017

It’s what foundations were created to do. But all too often, foundations, corporate grantmakers, and donors end up unintentionally causing problems instead of helping to solve them. Even with the best intentions, foundations often take actions that oppose the outcomes that both they and their grantees hope to achieve.

Problem 45

Problem Foundation Causes Time 45

sgEngage

OCTOBER 17, 2022

This person will take the lead in convening internal stakeholders, making plans, testing the waters internally, setting parameters, and liaising with foundation leadership. It is critical for you, foundation leadership, and community participants to be clear who is making which decisions. We often find that bias is the bigger threat.

Participatory 112

Participatory Model Leadership Application 112

Bloomerang

APRIL 15, 2021

Have you noticed that when talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fundraising , the conversation frequently mentions the lack of suitable candidates of color? But if you want to diversify your development office, or even just start the conversation, here are a few relatively simple suggestions to consider.

Develop 122

Develop Pennsylvania Mentoring Newsletter 122

sgEngage

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Today, knowledge work is coming into fashion in foundations and the nonprofit sector. When I proposed the concept of “datamaking,” I was seeking to bring as many aspects of the organization together as possible. Philanthropy loves “new” things. It is about actively making meaning in interaction with a social context.

Knowledge 67

Knowledge Philanthropy Change Work 67

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

DECEMBER 28, 2018

The mission of A People’s Guide to AI is to open up conversation around AI by demystifying, situating, and shifting the narrative about what types of use cases AI can have for everyday people. It is funded by Open Society Foundations. Will people be better off in 2030?

Social 98

Social Beginner Seattle Hunger 98

Connection Cafe

AUGUST 15, 2016

For their part, foundations have tuned in well to nonprofits’ focus on being mission-driven. In my experience, two dominant frames are now shared by foundations and nonprofits. The annual reports of foundations celebrate how much money they have spent in a given area. Achievement lets both foundations and nonprofits stand out.

Language 20

Language Foundation Proposal Nonprofit 20

Bloomerang

DECEMBER 17, 2021

The future is bright, and our fundraising shows that donors and foundations agree. Or, they’re tired of soliciting local organizations and/or friends, and would prefer to have you secure that money by writing grant proposals. Or, they don’t want to grow.

Grant 82

Grant Fund Giving Charity 82

Blue Fox

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

If you are a nonprofit executive director or a development professional who’s tasked with writing grant proposals, you’ve probably thought to yourself: there must be a better way. Grant writing is stressful enough without the added burden of working with bad (or at least useless) financial data. And you’re right.

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Classes Grant Chart Tips 78

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

JULY 23, 2012

Note from Beth : This is an ongoing series from the Organizational Effectiveness Program team at the Packard Foundation about developing their program funding strategy in an open way or what has been dubbed “Learning In Public.” Guest Post by the Packard Foundation OE Team.

Effective 96

Effective Program Work Review 96

Get Fully Funded

APRIL 14, 2022

This foundational knowledge may at times feel simple, but it’s best to make sure you have a rock solid understanding of nonprofit consulting practices before entering into conversations with potential partners. Develop a request for proposal. After you receive a response from each consultant, begin reviewing their proposals.

Consultant 52

Consultant Web Proposal Nonprofit 52

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

JANUARY 19, 2007

Five Hot Conversations. She proposes several different times, leave your preferences in the comments. The proposed call agenda is here. Should A Foundation's Financial Transactions Fully Support its Social Purposes? Should A Foundation's Financial Transactions Fully Support its Social Purposes?

Summary 50

Summary Nptech Tag Conversation 50

Everyaction

JULY 18, 2018

A strong fundraising strategic plan starts with a solid foundational case statement. Check your organization’s website, recent RFPs, grant proposals, etc. Share your organization’s mission, who you serve, the influence your organization has on its audience(s), and the role it plays in the larger conversation around your issue area.

Guide 108

Guide Fundraising Nonprofit Template 108

Forum One

DECEMBER 15, 2021

When the website launched, we knew it had a stronger foundation. List accessibility as a requirement in your Request for Proposals (RFP). Inclusivity and accessibility require that people with different disabilities are equal contributors, are part of the conversations, and are able to participate.

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Accessibility Goal Virginia Audience 70

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

JANUARY 30, 2010

Every table conversation brings a new perspective and a new idea: whether it’s new knowledge, a great contact or a new extension to the idea under discussion. In the morning, I attended a session put on by the Young Global Leaders with six interesting proposals. Tags: WEF social entrepreneurs Davos Schwab Foundation.

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South Africa Bangladesh Norway Africa 165

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 14, 2012

And, support from the Open Society Foundation made this event possible! With generous support for new technology developments from the MacArthur Foundation, we now have the ability to assess and prioritize needs, enhance existing features, build new functionality and develop client and server infrastructure.

Global 157

Global Group Thailand Burma 157

Neon CRM

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Your nonprofit’s mission is the foundation of everything you do. Conversely, what would happen to your community without your nonprofit’s presence? They could be helpful in finding new ways to talk about your mission in your fundraising appeals, grant proposals, and more. What Is Your Impact?

Examples 95

Examples Language Iowa Nonprofit 95

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

JULY 22, 2010

Specchio Foundation. Through their conversation on Twitter, Amy recognized the potential for working together. After several weeks, JANJ submitted a proposal to ECS for funding for an inaugural event: the Women’s Future Leadership Forum. They were lucky enough to have Jason Falls help them out.

Network 94

Network Reflection Louisville Proposal 94

BoardAssist

APRIL 21, 2015

Potential Board Members should be treated as well as Foundation Donors. A senior staff or board member of a nonprofit meets a foundation head at a cocktail party. That foundation head says, “I’d love to learn more about your organization…send me a grant proposal by tomorrow at 5.” Imagine this. That’s crazy! .

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Donor Proposal Grant Foundation 40

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

(The event is sold out, but they are live-streaming it ) They are crowdsourcing questions for the conversation here. And if understanding nonprofit performance matters so much to foundations, just how much help are they offering to nonprofits to assess performance?

Data 111

Data Measure Sample Seattle 111

Connection Cafe

AUGUST 14, 2017

As our elected officials discuss and debate various tax reform proposals, it is important that the full scope and value of the charitable tax deduction be preserved and that charitable giving, in general, be encouraged. Council on Foundations. House of Representatives and the U.S. The doubling of standard deductions.

Proposal 30

Proposal United States Participatory National 30

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

MAY 8, 2016

For the past few years, I’ve been facilitating a peer learning group with a small cohort of grantees , all community foundations, hosting Giving Days in their communities using the Giving Day Playbook. Community Foundations were thrown into crisis mode as the amount of time the server was down went from minutes into hours.

America 50

America San Antonio Local Philanthropy 50

NonProfit Hub

MARCH 23, 2021

Gemba walks help to see people in action, see their movements, their projects, their goals, their roadblocks and hear their conversations. Connection is essential to truly practice empathy, which is the foundation of the nonprofit sector. I’ve met entrepreneurs who started a foundation from personal experience.

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Nonprofit Voice Problem Professional 60