You’re the grant expert for your organization, but chances are you are not the executive director, city manager, superintendent, or other titled leader. And chances are, your boss and board do not understand the ins and outs of the grant world. That means it’s up to you to educate your organization about how it works and how it doesn’t. Educating up is an integral part of your role as a grant professional so everyone is on board for grant success.

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SHOW NOTES:

The Go/No Go Grant Decision Guide

What is known as the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025. While this is not a budget bill, its legislation includes tax changes and spending policies that will significantly affect nonprofits, local government, hospitals, communities, and those we serve. It’s always better to understand the storm that is coming so we can best prepare.

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SHOW NOTES:

Independent Sector

Council of Nonprofits

The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health

Professional development (or learning and development as it is referred to in the UK) is often the first thing cut when budgets are tight. But what does that mean for fundraisers and grant professionals? We are joined by Cam St Omer-Donaldson with Fundraising Everywhere to learn about their study on the impacts of learning and development on job performance and job satisfaction. It’s just what you need to help educate your bosses and boards about your need for continuous learning and engagement with your peers and experts.

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SHOW NOTES:

The Impact of Learning and Development on Charity Staff: Performance and Job Satisfaction Research Undertaken By: Susie Mullins Presented By: Nikki Bell and Cam St -Donaldson 

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST:

Cam St-Omer Donaldson

Fundraising Everywhere

Any experienced grant professional will tell you: if you don’t have a need for the grant, there is no need to write the grant. A needs assessment (or problem statement) requires data from reputable sources to show community need for your proposed program or project. This episode spells out where to find such data – from government agencies to your own backyard.

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SHOW NOTES:

U.S. Census Bureau

Fundraising HayDay S6, E6 Episode, Show Me the Data, with U.S. Census Bureau Data Dissemination Specialist, Marilyn E. Stephens

U.S. Census QuickFacts Data Tool

U.S. Census Bureau YouTube Channel

Centers for Disease Control Data Portal

Centers for Disease Control WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Better Data for Better Health

National Equity Atlanta

National Crime Victimization Survey from Bureau of Justice Statistics

National Center for Education Statistics

Environmental Protection Agency

Smithsonian

2025 has been a year, and it’s only June. For those working in the nonprofit space, it’s time to unite our voices and lead with courage. Today we’re speaking with organizer Vanessa Priya Daniel about her recently published book, “Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning” so we can learn how to do just that. We’re talking work amongst generations, the work of movement organizations, and the five pieces of advice she has for women leaders.

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SHOW NOTES:

Groundswell Fund

“Coalition Politics: Turning the Century” by Bernice Johnson Reagon

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST:

Vanessa Priya Daniel

“Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning”

Today’s guest said that her career culminated during the pandemic when she was working on her doctorate around nonprofits and organizational resilience during disruptive times. Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks has worked for and with United Way, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, and many other organizations. These experiences have created a well-rounded grant professional who understands the power of diversifying your funds, relationships in the community, and all the other skills necessary to run a successful nonprofit.

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SHOW NOTES:

Giving USA 2023 Charitable Report

Apparel Line coming soon, monitor this link for updates

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST:

Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks 

Serve University 

Serve University on Instagram 

What’s the first step of the grant writing process? In what might be a shocking turn of events, it’s not grant writing. So many organizations skip the grant readiness step, and that is to their detriment. If your agency wants to find success in grant seeking and grant management, then you need to take the steps necessary to be ready for those processes. If you are unsure what all this entails, then this episode is for you.

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Collaboration comes in so many shapes and sizes, especially when grant professionals are involved. You can sub-contract for consultants, develop a joint grant proposal, co-author journal articles, co-present workshops and webinars, and so much more. We’re joined by Dana Patterson and Melody Hernandez, two successful grant professionals in the Greater Bay Area, who have found many ways to happily collaborate – and they’re sharing their insights on what makes it successful.

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SHOW NOTES:

Greater Bay Area Bi-weekly Coffee Meetup with Dana and Melody – 8:30pm PACIFIC, every other Friday - Grant Professionals Association

WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST:

Dana Patterson, GPC, Director of Development (insert link: (2) Dana Patterson | LinkedIn)

Dana’s Email – [email protected]

Kidango (insert link: Kidango | Educating Children, Inspiring Our Future)

Melody Hernandez, Founder (insert link: (4) Melody Hernandez | LinkedIn)

Root Reach Rise (insert link: Root Reach Rise Inc)

Does your organization have an award or recognition program for your members? Did you ever consider using grants to fund those programs? Well, maybe you should. We are joined by David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC, Director of Grants & Development for the Society for Neuroscience. In his role he manages the organization’s award programs and grant funding, so it’s no wonder he decided to combine the two.

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WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST:

David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC - (6) David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC | LinkedIn

David’s Email – [email protected]

Society for Neuroscience - Society for Neuroscience - Society for Neuroscience - Advancing the Understanding of the Brain and Nervous System

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Our cohosts have. Heck, many grant professionals have. We’re sharing our own experiences, the many types of imposter syndrome, and ways to reduce/eliminate the feeling.

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SHOW NOTES:

“Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back from Living Your Best Life? Why you still feel like you’re faking when you’ve already made it” written by Arlin Cuncic on September 23, 2024 - Imposter Syndrome: The Five Types, How to Deal With It

Grant Professionals are Leaders – Archived webinar from January 2025 led by Amanda Day & Kimberly Hays de Muga for the Grant Professionals Association – free for GPA members; $49 for everyone else - Grant Professionals are Leaders | Grant Professionals Association