Hi, friend! 👋 I recently put out my first poll on LinkedIn, asking people what they feel is the most challenging aspect of finding funding.I thought I knew the answer. I thought I was going to get scores of people telling me that time was the biggest challenge. I thought that because that's what I've heard in a lot of my conversations with nonprofit executives and staff looking for grant opportunities. I still might be right... But the one person who responded to my poll didn't agree with me....
11 months ago • 4 min read
Hi, friend! 👋 Question for you: how do you feel about going to the dentist? I don't really mind it. In fact, if you follow me on LinkedIn, you might have seen that, apparently, I like to think of grant writing while in the dentist's chair. Who knew? You can check out that post here. (Side note: if we're not connected on LinkedIn, we should be!) Anyway... Today, I'd like to talk about a tool I started using a few months ago: Grammarly. You might have heard of it. It's been around for a while....
11 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! 👋 A long, long time ago (about 10 years)... In a galaxy far, far away (a place called New Jersey)... I was in grad school and interning at the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. I was charged with finding grant funding for some needed software and was teamed me up with an NASW member who worked as a grants consultant. One of the things that she introduced me to has become a staple of my grants system and should be the main component of yours. She...
11 months ago • 4 min read
Hi, friend! 👋 Let's be honest. Looking for grants can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you find the right funders? What goes into a winning proposal? What does impact reporting even look like?!? Luckily, there's a tried and true system to guide you through the process. And that's what I'm here to help you build (it says it right in the email header)! But to do that, you need to first understand the basics. So today, let's explore the stages that make up the grant system so you...
11 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! The holidays are over and it's time to get back to business! The new year is upon us - time for fresh starts and setting goals for the months ahead. When making resolutions or plans, have you ever thought about how to connect the steps needed to achieve your goals? This is essentially what a logic model does. Logic models are a useful tool for mapping out any plan or initiative, including your personal goals for the year. The visual format helps outline the resources and actions...
12 months ago • 4 min read
Hi, friend! I'm a part of a Facebook group for fathers who are fans of the kids' television phenomenon, Bluey, in which we all call each other Bandit, after the dad on the show. The other day, a Bandit posted about the cost of purchasing Christmas 🎄 gifts for his Bluey and Bingo (yes, we also call our kids and partners after the characters on the show). In scrolling through the comments (for admittedly way too long), I saw so many other Bandits sharing their struggles getting gifts during the...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! It's that time of year! A time of holiday and end-of-year frenzies 😵💫, as well as pause and reflection on the year past and contemplation of the year to come 🤔. For me, at the end of each year, I reflect on my goals for that year and set goals for the new one. Knowing what I'll be working on next year helps me feel better prepared. And I want to help you feel better prepared too! So I've put together this list of 4 things you can do to ✨Get Ready for 2024✨ 👉 Create or Update Your...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! It's good to be back in your inbox once again! After a wonderful Thanksgiving break full of food, relaxation, and laughter, it's time to get back into the routine. And that includes working out. 💪 My wife and I have a small workout space in our garage and I typically workout after dropping the kids off at school. The other day, I was riding our bike following an online training session in which the trainer associated each hard push with overcoming common fears or concerns that...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
Hi, friend! Yesterday, my son came to me nearly in tears. His world was crashing because he couldn't find a specific LEGO. A LEGO broom to be precise. The kids got a special Halloween pack of assorted Halloween-themed LEGO bricks and pieces and he couldn't find his broom. He thought that there were two and that his sister and he had each taken one. But now, because he couldn't find it, he was accusing his sister of lying and taking the only broom for herself. 😤 This meltdown over not being...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
