This is a repost from my fellow grant writer, Lukas Schroeder, GPC. I asked his permission to share because it illustrates the importance of federal funding for nonprofits and municipalities and provides nonpartisan guidance on how we can all respond…

To expand their grant seeking, clients often ask for more funding prospects — but more doesn’t always mean better. Applying to every possible grant opportunity, even ones that aren’t a good fit, wastes time and money and risks alienating funders. I’d much rather present a smaller number of opportunities that are well-aligned with clients’ programs than a long list of opportunities for which the client won’t be competitive.

I have always loved that the people who choose nonprofit work care about supporting mission-driven organizations and also about supporting each other.

I joined the TogetherSC Consulting Collaborative and attended my first meeting this week. The Consulting Collaborative provides opportunities for nonprofit consultants with various specialties to network and to learn from one another. This week’s meeting focused on the obstacles to collaboration and strategies to overcome them. Obstacles included scarcity mindsets (believing there aren't enough resources to go around) as well as the effort it takes to connect and build trust with other consultants.

“What specific population(s) of learners are central to this project? Describe their assets and what they bring to the project.” This question appears on the Arizona Commission on the Arts application for the Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant, and it’s my favorite grant application question.

We are excited to announce the launch of Burke Hammons Consulting, a grants consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations and schools. Burke Hammons Consulting provides competitive proposal drafting for foundation, corporate, and government grants, grant readiness services, prospective funder research, and customizable assistance with the grant seeking process. We focus on the arts, education, disabilities, neighborhood revitalization, and special health care needs.