Fundraising HayDay

What is a grant proposal other than a string of words that describe, show, influence, educate, and move mountains? In 2025 we started to see a dramatic shift in language found in executive orders, grant guidelines, and more. Are some words really banned? And if so, how do we move forward as writers?

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GrantGuru

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SHOW NOTES:

Head Start Article:

Head Start centers told to avoid list of words in funding requests : NPR

Amanda’s Blog Post about Language:

We’re Storytellers; You Can’t Steal Our Language - HayDay Services

In part 2 of the state of federal grants, we’re focusing on the implications of 2025 and how we can move forward. Tremendous cuts to federal research, disruption of essential human services, and a halt to services for at-risk individuals hit communities hard. It’s not just money lost but needed services. It’s time to have frank conversations about how we can move forward in 2026 and beyond.

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GrantGuru

Use discount code HAYDAY963 for 20% off your subscription

When it comes to federal grant funding, a lot went wrong in 2025. We’re kicking off a two-part series, with this episode focusing on how we got here. Policy shifts and administrative changes transformed federal grant making seemingly overnight, but many of these changes weren’t spontaneous. The Office of Management and Budget, Project 2025, and the Department of Government Efficiency all had a role to play.

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CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR:

GrantGuru

Use discount code HAYDAY963 for 20% off your subscription

SHOW NOTES:

The Guardian

“Trump move to pause federal loans and grants rooted in Project 2025”

Education Week

“Project 2025 Would Dramatically Cut Federal Funds for Schools. Then What?”

The Educators Room

“U.S. Department of Education Faces Major Overhaul Under Conservative Plan, Project 2025”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren

“Subject-by-Subject Breakdown of Trump’s Project 2025”

Internet Archive

“Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership”

Project 2025

“Mandate or Leadership: The Conservative Promise”

Ther Heritage Foundation

“Project 2025”

NOTE: This month, we’re sharing our mistakes were made episode with all our listeners – the free podcast community and our patreon subscribers. If you’re not a member of our patreon, we hope you enjoy this glimpse behind the curtain. This is a great example of our monthly mistakes were made episode, where our cohosts take turns in the hot seat, sharing mistakes. No grant professional is perfect, and we want others to learn from our mistakes. We hope you’ll consider joining as a paid member of the patreon community so you can enjoy all our bonus content, access the comments and community, and support our work on Fundraising HayDay.

In our December episode, cohost Kimberly takes the hot seat. She shared about making a handful of mistakes in a recent grant proposal – mistakes that she knew better than making, but she was in a rush and did it anyway.

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NOTE: This month, we’re sharing our book club episode with all our listeners – the free podcast community and our patreon subscribers. If you’re not a member of our patreon, we hope you enjoy this glimpse behind the curtain. This is a great example of our monthly book club, where we read and discuss an eclectic collection of storytelling – from nonfiction and fiction of multiple genres written by authors of a variety of backgrounds. Starting in 2026, we’ll even have a live book club once a month for subscribers, so you can be in on the conversation. We hope you’ll consider joining as a paid member of the patreon community so you can enjoy all our bonus content, access the comments and community, and support our work on Fundraising HayDay.

In our December book club, we read “Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be” by Marissa R. Moss. It follows three artists (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton) as they work to break into traditional country music but find ways to work around the systems meant to keep them out. This behind-the-scenes story shows the good, the bad, and the ugly side of country music radio and the engine that keeps women limited to 10% of its airtime. Thanks for listening to our book club!

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SHOW NOTES:

“Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be”

By: Marissa R. Moss

Between DOGE taking over grants.gov, a freeze on federal grant funding, executive orders attacking nonprofits and the grants profession, and a government shut down, 2025 has not been the best of years. But grant professionals, like any true professional, must carry on for the good of their organizations, clients, and communities served. How’d we do it? Our cohosts are sharing their top 10 things that helped them survive the year.

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SHOW NOTES:

Trusted sources referenced under Item #1:

National Council of Nonprofits

Rachel Werner, GPC, PMP

Social media book influencer referenced under Item #4

jordys.book.club

Our weekly newsletter referenced under Item #6

HayDay HotTakes – Register for free today!

Link to Kimberly’s Spotify playlist referenced under Item #9

Funky Dance Party

Sometimes a good rant is cathartic. In 2025, whatever you can do to get thoughts and feelings out in meaningful (and unharmful) ways, we say go for it! And we’re putting that into practice in this episode. From consulting training that promises the moon to sticking your head in the sand in the hopes that things will get better eventually, we’re talking about all the things on our minds.

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Nonprofits and grant funding programs exist for public good. But sadly, not all individuals and agencies tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding grant funds follow the rules. Ripped straight from the headlines, from college professors and nonprofit leaders to state governments and retired NFL quarterbacks, we learn that no one is above the law.

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To learn more about today’s stories, read the following articles:

CUNY Scientist Accused of Fabricating Data

U.S. levels fraud indictment at CUNY scientist who helped Alzheimer’s drug developer | Science | AAAS

Office of Public Affairs | Professor Charged for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Grant Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice

Co-developer of Cassava’s potential Alzheimer’s drug cited for ‘egregious misconduct’ | Science | AAAS

Minnesota Nonprofit Employees Convicted for Misuse of Funds

5 of 7 defendants convicted of misusing Covid relief money meant to feed children

Minnesota man gets 28 years for pandemic-era food fraud

Former NFL QB and State of Mississippi Welfare Scandal

Brett Favre scandal explained: Ex-NFL QB accused of misusing Mississippi state welfare funds - CBS Sports

Brett Favre and the Mississippi Welfare Scandal: Inside the Shocking Fraud Case

Many in the grant community have been calling for reform for years. We’re frustrated by inefficient processes, inequitable practices, and systems that waste time and money. But there are organizations in place to help make grant making more just and accessible. Many are highlighted here.

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SHOW NOTES:

More Than Grant Writers

Crappy Funding Practices

Grant Advisor

#FixTheForm

National Council of Nonprofits

You may find this hard to believe, but fundraising events aren’t always the money-making events people think they are. Let’s take a deep dive into how to run events that raise funds without destroying your budget, staff, or sanity in the process.

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