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October, March, and September are the busiest months for grant deadlines, according to over 45,000 grant deadlines we analyzed between 2022 and 2023. 👉 Why this matters: Missing a grant deadline is every grant writer’s nightmare. Stay ahead of the curve by knowing when you need to hustle and when you can take a step back. 🔍 Key Findings: • Busiest Months: October (Q4), March (Q1), and September (Q3) • Busiest Quarter: Q1, followed by Q3 • Top Deadline Days: 1st, 15th, and last day of the month 📈 Our data shows that most deadlines are during Q1. Start strong in the new year to lighten your load by the end of the year. Download the full report to find out if you're in a busy or sleepy state and get your grant calendar ready! ⬇️ #grantdeadlines #grantwriting #grantmanagement

How's your July going for grant deadlines? Data from 45,000 shows it's a slower month, but every month after this one will grow, peaking in October! 📈 Have you seen the latest grant seasonality report? 👀

How do you survive the busy season? 🤯 We asked members of our Instrumentl Expert Council how they avoid burnout and thrive 👇 Jacob B Chase, CFRE, CEO of Chase Consulting Solutions: “Assess the importance and potential impact of each grant. Focus your thoroughness on high-priority grants and apply more streamlined processes to less critical ones.” Anna Morozovsky, Director at Thread Strategies: “The best system to keep your grant pipeline organized throughout the year is your organization's CRM! It doesn't matter which CRM platform you are using, you can add your foundation relationships and keep track of your engagement history with the funder, including their gifts. Use tasks to stay on top of deadlines like application or report due dates.” Julie Starr, BA, MPS, Owner of Write Epic Grants: “I review the proposal well in advance and email out requests for all the info I will need from the different nonprofit departments. This gives them plenty of time to get docs back to me and I am not scrambling at the last minute.” Rebecca Baughman Kerns, Grant Consultant: “I work to remain proactive, and not reactive during grant season. Before my busiest season begins, I meet with C-suite and program managers to figure out what grants we are certain to pursue, what grants we would like to add to our list for the year and what grants we would like to discuss pursuing if there is time.” Jodi Riley, GPC CGW, Lead Grant Writing Consultant at Innovant Grants: “We hold a weekly project review meeting to go through every active project and ensure the team has what they need to get the applications in on time.” Dr. Bev Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies: “I keep my head down and do the work (researching and writing). I use a work plan that is shared with my clients. Everyone knows their role, the documents needed, the dates needed, and the 24/7 contacts for all members of the client's team and my team members.” Liz Myers, Success Manager at Instant Nonprofit: “Make sure to review upcoming grant requirements, especially where data you'll need from various departments is featured. Meet with these departments to understand their capacity for data collection, processes, how you can help, etc. Nobody wants last-minute work thrown at them, so if your grant(s) are depending on input from program staff or accounting, etc., then you need to come to them early and from a place of kindness.” What strategies do you use to manage multiple grant deadlines? Share in the comments below!" #grantwriting #grantmanagement

These are the top pre-award grant management best practices experts swear by: 1. Maintain a Comprehensive Paper Trail Kimberly Lavon, Founder, Creative Director, Arts Funding Professional: “Maintaining a comprehensive paper trail is essential. Ensure you keep copies of the grant application and administrative paperwork like articles of incorporation and EIN numbers, and maintain a consistent brand strategy both online and in person.” 2. Conduct Thorough Research and Build Relationships Sarah B Lange, CEO/Founder: “Doing thorough research can set you apart. Examine the funder's website and their 990s for the last three years to see if you're a good fit. Identify any Trustees you might know and see if they can advocate for your application. Make sure to add the funder to your communications list, so they're aware of your work before you apply. Also, follow them on social media and connect with their staff on LinkedIn.” 3. Prepare Your Internal Systems Matt Hugg, President & Founder, NonprofitCourses: “Don’t overlook your internal systems. Before rushing to submit a proposal, ensure your systems are ready to receive funds and account for expenditures. Notify your accounting office about the application so they’re prepared for any queries post-funding. They might also highlight issues you need to address beforehand.” Key Takeaways: 📋 Maintain a detailed paper trail for all documentation. 🔍 Conduct thorough research on potential funders and build relationships in advance. 🔧 Ensure your internal systems are ready to manage funds and expenditures properly. Remember: The pre-award phase sets the foundation for successful grant management. Stay organized, do your research, and prepare your internal systems to ensure a smooth process. What pre-award best practices have you found effective in your grant management process? Share your insights below! 👇 #grantmanagement #nonprofit #fundraising #grantwritingtips

📒 Have you seen the 2024 Nonprofit Acceleration Report? It's a deep dive into the digital strategies of over 5,000 nonprofits — uncovering what's working, what's not, and what's next. Next week, we're hosting an exclusive session with Michael Goodrum, Director of Client Services at Community Boost, as he reveals the top key insights from the report, designed to propel your nonprofit's strategy forward.

We analyzed over 45,000 grant deadlines between 2022 and 2023 to understand when grant season is the most hectic. 📆 Which quarter do you think is the busiest? 👀

We submit so many grant proposals that it's hard to know what's working and what's not. How can we improve? Here's advice from Instrumentl's Expert Council on how to improve your next grant submission: Matt Hugg recommends crafting an ⚡️ engaging executive summary ⚡️ by focusing on the funder's goals and how your project helps them achieve them. He also suggests showing how your mission aligns with the funder's and how who you serve aligns with their target population when connecting your mission and background. Jacob B Chase, CFRE advises using data and testimonials to showcase the need and how your project fills gaps. For the project description, he recommends presenting a realistic plan with clear activities and achievable outcomes that align with your budget and timeframe. Arnold King emphasizes the importance of reading the guidelines and focusing on the funder's mission, as well as presenting measurable and trackable results that demonstrate the project's impact. Remember: 1️⃣ Do your research on the funder! 2️⃣ Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with their mission and priorities. 3️⃣ Use data and success indicators to showcase the project's impact. What are your best grant-writing tips? Share them in the comments! #grantwriting #nonprofit #fundraising

Grant prospecting for a new project or program is overwhelming. We asked several seasoned grant professionals about how they overcome common prospecting challenges: 1. Identify the Right Funders for Your Cause Amanda Acton, GPC shared that you should ditch misleading categories and dig into 990s and websites to understand a funder's true giving patterns. Teresa Huff advised to ask upfront if your project aligns with the funder's priorities, as not all causes are created equal. 2. Make the Most of Your Time Veronica Kulon suggested prioritizing based on impact, leveraging search filters, and collaborating with your team to overcome feeling strapped for staff and time. 3. Stand Out from the Competition Matt Hugg recommended not just telling funders what you do, but showing them how you complement their mission. He encouraged being creative, such as an adult literacy program demonstrating how a parent's literacy impacts their child's learning. Arnisha T Johnson advised not to fret over outdated listings - reach out to the funder, find similar opportunities, and update your tracker to help others. 4. Build Meaningful Funder Relationships Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC shared that networking to build your reputation in the community can lead to funders coming to you. Denise Henry suggested not giving up if foundations say "no unsolicited proposals" - introduce yourself with an elevator pitch and build a relationship. 5. Prepare Your Organization for Success Patrice Shumate emphasized ensuring your house is in order with clear programs, strong narratives, and realistic expectations before prospecting. Dr. Bev Browning recommended leveraging your board's network to have them reach out to private funders after researching the funder's mission and leadership. 6. Go Beyond the Basics Arnold King shared that online tools and databases are your friend when feeling the time crunch, and to not be shy about asking for clarification on unclear criteria. Sarah B. Lange (Coin Carrier) noted that even without a website, you can use Guidestar dot org to view a funder's past 3 years of 990s and see their giving trends. Remember: Grant prospecting is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay organized, build relationships, and showcase the impact you're making! What are your best grant prospecting tips? Share them in the comments below!

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: ⛏️ 👉 Jacob B 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! 🤩

We always get asked, "How do I prioritize all the grants I find?" 🤷 So we asked the Instrumentl Expert Council, “What grants should nonprofits prioritize?” Here’s a roundup of their best tips: 1. Start Locally! - "Banks often have fairly easy applications and area foundations support local initiatives. Conquer the local funding scene first." - Sarah B. Lange (Coin Carrier) 2. Only Pursue What You Need At The Start - "Consider your organization’s size, capacity, and project needs. Competitive grants are great for innovative projects; continuation grants for ongoing programs." - Rachel Grusin 3. Grants That You Have The Most Overlap With Mission-Wise - "Prioritize grants that align with your mission, vision, and strategic plan." - Elizabeth Burrows 4. Start With Continuation Grants - "Continuation Grants first. Next, Formula Grants if you meet criteria, followed by Pass-through Grants and Competitive Grants." - Matt Hugg 5. Start Small Before Expanding - "For small teams, seek pass-through and continuation grants first. Large teams should spread efforts across all grant types." - Daphne Keys, CFRE What grant strategies have worked for your nonprofit? Share your experiences below! 👇 #grants #nonprofits #grantseeking