Grant Writing Simplified

www.teresahuff.com/mentor

Have you ever had a mentor in your life? Someone who has inspired you, and encouraged you, and really given you solid advice for that point in your journey?

I've wrestled with this episode a bit because I can't do it justice to explain how much my mentors have helped me along the way, whether they knew it or not. My hope is that it inspires you to look for wisdom and encouragement in unexpected places.

Mentors & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• How to Prevent Nonprofit Decision Fatigue (Episode 24)
• Grant Writer Mentoring: teresahuff.com/mentor
• Fast Track to Grant Writer Coaching Program: teresahuff.com/vip
• Ed Gandia, High Income Business Writing: b2blauncher.com
• Natalie Eckdahl, The Biz Chix Podcast: bizchix.com
• Esther Littlefield, The Christian Woman Business Podcast: estherlittlefield.com
• Emily P. Freeman, The Next Right Thing Podcast: emilypfreeman.com
• Lori Cable, The Institute for Evaluation & Research (TIER): tierinstitute.com

If you're a grant writer or nonprofit leader needing a mentor, book a mentoring session at teresahuff.com/mentor and let's help you figure out your next right steps. We'll get you moving forward.

If you know a nonprofit leader or a fellow grant writer who could benefit from this podcast, would you please forward it to them? That helps spread the word, and helps more grant writers and nonprofit leaders out there who are looking for guidance. We're in this together, my friends!

Connect with Teresa:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

I'm so excited to share today's guest with you, friends! I'm introducing you to my new nonprofit friend and fellow podcaster Jenni Hargrove.

Jenni is a Charitable Marketing Coach and host of the podcast the "Nonprofit Jenni Show." Jenni supports nonprofit leaders looking to define a cohesive Marketing and Development Strategy.

When it comes to nonprofit marketing best practices, she knows her stuff! We get into so many good topics like how to stay in touch with donors when you can't meet in person, how to make social media less overwhelming, what content should be on your nonprofit website, and so much more.

Get Jenni's free Social Media Cheat Sheet for Nonprofits at tinyurl.com/nonprofitjenni.

Check out Jenni's podcast at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Connect with Nonprofit Jenni:

Website: nonprofitjenni.com

Instagram: instagram.com/nonprofitjenni

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Did you know that on an average day, we make about 35,000 decisions? That doesn't even account for the big circumstances!

Nonprofit leaders and grant writers wear so many hats on any given day. If we're not careful, this can lead to decision fatigue, exhaustion, and burnout. Today I'm sharing 5 ways to help take care of yourself.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Brainy Business Podcast by Melina Palmer, Episode 132: Decision Fatigue, a Behavioral Economics Foundations Episode
• The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman & her podcast
• LastPass - secure password storage
• Grant Writing Simplified by Teresa Huff, Episode 22: Preparation for Grant Writing: 6 Things Your Nonprofit Should Have on Hand
• Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
• "If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success." -Ecclesiastes 10:10, NKJV
• Advisory sessions for grant writers & nonprofits: www.teresahuff.com/strategy

Connect with Teresa:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Today I'd like to introduce you to a unique nonprofit that is making such a difference in people's lives, and they're on a mission to educate others.

I'm talking wtih Joel and Danea Key of Saber Life Foundation. They connect service dogs and people with disabilities, and they've partnered with a top-notch dog trainer to meet a huge need.

The nonprofit stemmed from a long health journey with their own daughter. Getting her a service dog was the catalyst for starting Saber Life Foundation. Now they're helping connect families and service dogs through the foundation.

Listen and be blessed by their story! And then head over to www.saberlifefoundation.org and pick up a few dog treats for your furry friends.

About Saber Life Foundation

Saber Life Foundation is helping to provide a "Service Dog" to approved and accepted individuals with the Saber Life Foundation Project. Service Dogs training costs a MINIMUM of $18,500. Saber Life Foundation is helping to provide to all that are accepted into the Saber Life Foundation Project a trained Service Dog for $12,500.00.

With everything we have learned in past and present from our own personal experiences, one fact has become clear above all else — The bond is all that matters. From that bond comes the willingness to work for success (though it feels like play) and the ability to handle any difficulties that might arise.

Our long-term goal at Saber Life Foundation is to be able to not only help those in our home state of Missouri, but to expand our mission and organization nationwide. We aim to keep creating more and more positive life changing stories to share.

Connect with Saber Life Foundation:

data-sheets-hyperlink="http://www.saberlifefoundation.org">www.saberlifefoundation.org

data-sheets-hyperlink="http://www.saberlifefoundation.org">https://www.facebook.com/Saberlifefoundation

Connect with Teresa:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

The #1 question I'm asked, by grant writers and nonprofits alike, is, "Where do I start?" Grant writing is a big process that takes a while to learn and develop. However, today I'm going to tell you one simple place you can start no matter where you are in the process - even if you've never written a grant before. This is true for both nonprofits and grant writers.

Most grants will ask for some of the same basic information - your mission, contact info, maybe even a list of your board members. By compiling all of this into an organized system, you'll save yourself a lot of time running around collecting it. Your time can then be better spent on the application itself.

Resources Mentioned:

• A2 Hosting: Recommended website hosting
• LastPass: Secure password and login tool
• Download the printable Grant Prep Checklist: www.teresahuff.com/prep

We cover all kinds of grant writing advice, including:

• The value of mentors in growing your grant writing and fundraising skills
• Brandi applied for jobs she wasn't fully qualified for, but she went for it anyway
• Imposter syndrome - it's a big thing!
• The importance of addressing issues head on
• What to do when grant projects don't go according to plan
• How she tracks and manages big federal grant projects with many people and lots of moving parts
• Delegating with grace
• Proactive approaches to set her team up for success
• Advice for improving your federal grant writing - you won't want to miss this one!
• Onboarding team members to new grant project awards

Even if you've been writing grants for a while, there are likely several gems here. And if you're new to this grant writing world, hop over to www.teresahuff.com/quiz to see if you have what it takes to be a grant writer.

Other Episode mentioned:

Episode 14: Grant Writer Success Rates: Am I a Bad Grant Writer If I Don't Win the Grant?

Connect with Brandi VanAntwerp on LinkedIn

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Follow Me on Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

I talk with a lot of new grant writers and nonprofits that are really nervous about starting out with grants. Even if you're new, you can do this. We ALL have to start somewhere!

There are so many factors that go into a grant decision. Today I'll talk through those and then share one specific way you can increase your chances of winning the grant.

Grant Funder Call Script Template: www.teresahuff.com/call

Other Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 9: What a Grant Funder REALLY Wants: Interview with a Grant Funder
• Episode 14: Grant Writer Success Rates: Am I a Bad Grant Writer If I Don't Win the Grant?

Connect with Teresa:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Follow Me on Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

Listen in for some awesome tips to maximize your virtual training and get the best results for your organization.

Click to download Heather's list for virtual engagement and reduce the awkward silence in your next meeting.

About Heather Burright:

Heather Burright, founder and CEO of Skill Masters Market, specializes in creating dynamic, people-centric solutions that drive business goals. Heather believes people excel when they know what is expected of them and they can show up authentically at work.

To achieve this, Heather is dedicated to identifying the core competencies that are needed to see real results and to creating the learning strategies and solutions needed to develop those competencies.

Leveraging 15 years of experience, Heather is a strong collaborator and ideal partner. She puts in the work to identify your needs, facilitates focus groups and/or interviews to understand the audience, and designs effective solutions whether in-person, virtual, or blended.

Most recently, Heather managed a proprietary competency model for a national non-profit. Her role was to keep the model relevant, up-to-date, and easy-to-use, and she spent countless hours educating and influencing HR leaders across the United States so they knew how and why to implement the model throughout their talent life cycle, ultimately seeing a 94% adoption rate. In addition, Heather used the identified competencies to create staff development resources, ranging from assessments to stretch assignments and from coaching to formal training.

Prior to the national non-profit, Heather led the way in innovative training design in industries, such as for-profit higher education and government agencies. Grounded in the belief that people are worthy of investment and that investing in your people makes them feel valued and gives them new skills and a new passion for their work, Heather looks at each project with the hard-won lessons of experience and the fresh eyes of the future.

Heather believes that organizations are better when they empower their people to operate from their strongest capabilities, and she won't stop until she's helped people see, feel, and achieve their potential.

Heather brings her expertise in instructional design, change management principles, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to each project, ensuring all voices are heard and valued, common language is established, and progress is made and sustained through learning and ongoing support.

In her free time, Heather volunteers on the member development committee of a national sorority and serves as the co-chair of the parent teacher league at her oldest daughter's school. She resides in Chicago with her husband, two daughters, and beloved dog.

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

Whether you're a grant writer or a nonprofit leader, it's good to take some time away from technology to think through these. You can print out the quick download in the Freebie Vault at www.teresahuff.com/free.

Questions to Reflect and Plan

First, we're talking about six questions to help you think about where you've been and where you want to be:

1. What went well this year?
2. What didn't go so well?
3. What was draining?
4. What was energizing?
5. What do I want to do (or be) less of?
6. What do I want to do (or be) more of?

Second, start tracking your wins. The free download has a grid with 12 boxes. Each month, write down a win. Even if the month was rough, find something to write down. This will help you build your momentum and see your progress.

Fast Track to Grant Writer

Finally, some of you have asked great questions about the Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Program:

• What if I want to be a consultant instead of finding a grant writing job?
• What if I want to find a job at a nonprofit instead of freelancing?

Fast Track to Grant Writer will help you either way. We'll learn strategies and advanced grant writing techniques that will help you in either role. Then in the career-based module, we'll look at your skill set, personality, and goals to help you map out a plan for whichever direction best fits you. Your action steps will be tailored to your situation.

Enrollment for the pilot program closes December 31 at midnight Central time, so grab your spot today. We're going to have a blast. Let's get you on the fast track!

Connect with Teresa

Website: www.teresahuff.com/vip

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Follow Me on Social:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

And, along those lines, If you are ready to invest in your future - and ultimately, leave a legacy for the community around you - then don't wait to sign up for the pilot program, Fast Track to Grant Writer. We'll cover in-depth grant writing strategies, work through business building decisions, and you'll learn how to be the go-to grant writer in your community.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll be on your way to grant writing success. Sign up at teresahuff.com/vip. There are only a few days left - Enrollment closes New Year's Eve at midnight Central time. Let's get you on the fast track.

As I'm recording this, we're in the middle of the 2020 holiday season, and Christmas is right around the corner. That probably looks a little different for some of you this year; I know it does for my family. Even so, there's so much to be thankful for.

I've met some amazing people this year from all over the world. One of those is Lindsey Johnson, host of the Legacy Entrepreneur podcast. The first time I heard about her podcast, the idea of building a legacy in business really struck a chord with me. Grant writing is a way to make a bigger impact and change our world for the better, so the legacy idea really drives that home.

At the same time, we're not just grant writers. We have lives and people outside of our work, and we need to deliberately nurture those too. That's why I invited Lindsey on the show. Listen in and be encouraged, my friend! You can do this!

About Lindsey Johnson

Lindsey Johnson is a wordsmith, encourager, Lake Superior girl, and wife and momma of 4.

Female business owners hire Lindsey to help them form their foundational marketing messages, amplify their brand voice, and write compelling copy that clearly communicates who they are and who they serve so they can be confident that their messaging will do the legwork of attracting and converting their audience into clients for them. She's also the host of the Legacy Entrepreneur podcast.

Connect with Teresa Huff

Website: www.teresahuff.com

Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?

Follow Me on Social:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook