Grant Writing Simplified

Join the Fast Track to Grant Writer today: www.teresahuff.com/vip. The "Just Get Grants" Syndrome Today we're going to talk about a common phenomenon I like to call "Just Get Grants" Syndrome. It's this common idea that we can "just get grants" to fix ___ (fill in the blank with whatever struggle, money woes, or new venture you're considering). I'm here to give you some tough love today and tell you that "Just Get Grants" Syndrome doesn't work. But I'm not going to leave you hanging on my soapbox. We're going to discuss a much better approach You Don't Know What You Don't Know (and That's Okay)

If you're hanging out here with me today, it's probably because you've reached a point in your nonprofit or your freelance grant writing career where you don't know what you don't know. You probably feel this pressure to get grant funding, and the FOMO (fear of missing out) is kicking in hard. We're going to talk through those unspoken expectations so that you can shake off that feeling of never quite doing enough, and instead we can focus on the actions you CAN take to move your nonprofit forward.

After nearly 20 years of writing grants and winning several million dollars in funding for schools and nonprofits, I realized grant writing is so much more effective when you take the time to step back and build out your bigger picture strategy first.

Listen to the full episode for stories of the impact this has made on my clients. And here's the thing - after it was all said and done, they realized it wasn't a risk at all. It was a game-changer.

How Do We Start?

If this is resonating with you, this is exactly what I help my clients with every day. I want you to be a good steward of your money, and I want to help you create a solid future to carry out your nonprofit vision. Let's move beyond "Just Get Grants" Syndrome and help you have a smart, strategic approach to your nonprofit or freelance grant writing.

If you know you're ready to take your nonprofit or grant writing career to the next level in a way that helps you carry out your mission without burning out, I want to invite you to work with me. Nonprofits can go to teresahuff.com/apply where you can fill out my application form and see if we're a good fit to work together. Grant writers can sign up at teresahuff.com/vip and start on the Fast Track to Grant Writer right away.

Let me know - have you ever faced "Just Get Grants" Syndrome, and how do you handle it? Connect with me over in the Grant Writing Simplified Linkedin community and let's continue the conversation.

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Nonprofits, Gear Up For Grants with this free audio workshop:

www.teresahuff.com/gearup

The Future of Freelance Grant Writing Is there room for more freelance grant writers in this strange, unpredictable economy? I humbly submit to you today that yes, yes there most certainly is, and there's never been a better time for it. But freelance grant writing will only work if you're smart about it and position yourself as a strategic resource. The ones who are able to make it work long-term will be those who are committed, clear, and consistent. Buckle up because we're going deep today, my friends! Should you be an employee or a freelancer?

We discuss this in depth in the Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Program. There's no perfect solution - the short answer is it depends on your situation and goals. But today I want to specifically hash out the latest and greatest in the world of freelancing and how it relates to grant writing.

I'd love to hear from you. Come find me in the Grant Writing Simplified Linkedin community and let's continue the conversation over there.

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Free Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?
• FAST Focus Power Series: Episodes 43-46
• Book: Master of One by Jordan Raynor

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Nonprofits, Gear Up For Grants with this free audio workshop:

www.teresahuff.com/gearup

Join My Free Webinar: Step Up Your Systems For Success - 5 Easy Steps to Look Like a Grant Writing Pro. How Is Your Grant Writing Data Game? This month we've been talking about grant writing systems, and last month we talked about telling stories in your grant writing. Today we're combining the two and talking about how to tell better stories using data in grant writing. How to Use Data In Grant Writing to Tell Stories

Data can be one of those tricky areas in grant writing, because grant applications request the data, but they don't always tell you what data. How's a grant writer supposed to know?

Today I'm sharing 6 tips for better data-driven storytelling in your grant writing.

Do You Struggle with Using Data in Grant Writing?

This is exactly how I help nonprofits. We work on helping you build a solid, adaptable framework for your grant applications. You've got to have a good foundation if you want to build long-term, sustainable funding.

We also go through specific examples of this in the Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Program. I show you different ways to use the data to make the most impact, and then we have homework exercises to practice doing that with different types of data.

I'd love to support you so you can scale your nonprofit or grant writing career much faster. Let's create a ripple effect!

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 16: Pro Grant Writing Tip: How to Write Tight
• Episode 58: Are You Telling Your Nonprofit Story? How Coffee Mugs Are Like Grant Writing
• Episode 59: How to Tell Your Nonprofit Story Through Video
• Episode 60: 5 Questions for a More Compelling Nonprofit Story
• Episode 62: Pro Tips to Step Up Your Nonprofit Grant Strategy with Systems
• Episode 63: Systems for Hire: Ways to Help Your Nonprofit Thrive

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Nonprofits, Gear Up For Grants with this free audio workshop:

www.teresahuff.com/gearup

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today: www.teresahuff.com/vip. Are Your Systems Working for You, Against You, or Not at All? Back in Episode 52, I shared some of my favorite tech tools I use nearly every day. Then last week we talked about the importance of systems when it comes to your grant strategy and how much that can impact your success. Today I want to share some other systems you need to consider. And not to worry if you don't have these yet! If you're a nonprofit, set up an advisory session and we can help you shore up some of these areas so you can end the year strong and kick off 2022 with your house in order. In the Fast Track to Grant Writer, we get into a LOT of this and I set you up with my templates and tracking. Can you offload some of your work to a system?

If you find yourself:

• dropping the ball a lot,
• doing a lot of repetitive tasks,
• having to explain things over and over to different people on your team,
• or you're not collecting the kind of data you need for your grant applications,

...then that's a good sign it's time to take a look at your systems. You'll be glad you did!

Ready to Gear Up For Grants? Private Nonprofit Workshop

I've been cooking up some resources just for you nonprofits out there!

A powerful, focused strategy map is the key to helping you gain traction and make a bigger impact in your nonprofit. This FREE 4-part audio workshop and workbook will help you start to lay the foundation for future grant success in your nonprofit. You'll learn to leverage your nonprofit's resources more strategically so you can make a bigger impact.

Get the details and Gear Up For Grants here!

Want to Be a Grant Writer? Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer

If you're wanting to become a grant writer to help nonprofits tell their story to make a bigger impact, then get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today at teresahuff.com/vip.

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

Other Resources Mentioned:

• LastPass Secure Passwords
• Episode 21: Tips for Successful Grant Writing & Federal Grant Project Management: Interview with Brandi VanAntwerp, CoxHealth Foundation Grants Administrator
• Episode 52: Business Building: The Tech Tools I Use Most in My Grant Writing Business
• Episode 62: Pro Tips to Step Up Your Nonprofit Grant Strategy with Systems

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Nonprofits, Gear Up For Grants with this free audio workshop:

www.teresahuff.com/gearup

Grant writers, get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer.

Nonprofits, it's time to Gear Up For Grants.

Do You Have a Grant Search and Tracking System in Place? Have you ever gone down the rabbit hole of grant funding and felt overwhelmed by all the potential options out there? Yet somehow you're still struggling to track all the different opportunities, deadlines, and requirements. A spreadsheet just doesn't cut it anymore. How to Step up Your Nonprofit Grant Strategy with Systems Systems are a big deal if you're ever going to scale your organization. However, we don't want to create complex systems just for the sake of having a system. They need to work for us to make our lives easier and help us delegate the work among our team. That's why I've invited Gauri Manglik, CEO of Instrumentl, on the show today. She's truly a systems expert. Gauri and her team made it their mission to study the way both nonprofits and grant funders operate, and she's a wealth of knowledge on streamlining systems. We talk about all kinds of strategy tips that nonprofits should pay attention to. Listen as Gauri and I discuss the different aspects to consider as you're growing your nonprofit grant strategy with systems. Then let me know - what were your biggest takeaways and how can I support you? Come join us in the Grant Writing Simplified LinkedIn Group and let's continue the conversation! I highly recommend you give Instrumentl a test drive! Head over to teresahuff.com/Instrumentl for 2 weeks free, and then grab $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD. Meet Gauri Manglik, Instrumentl CEO & Co-Founder Gauri Manglik is the CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl, the institutional fundraising platform. Under her leadership, Instrumentl has grown to serve over 1,400 nonprofits, quickly becoming a favorite tool among grant seekers for bringing grant prospecting, tracking, and management to one place. Gauri has dedicated her career to building intuitive and delightful user experiences. Seeing the opportunity to force multiply the nonprofit sector's ability to create impact through software led her to her work at Instrumentl. Before Instrumentl, Gauri was CEO and co-founder of Fondu, an online community for sharing bite-sized restaurant reviews. After Fondu was acquired by Airbnb, Gauri led their mobile and special projects teams. Gauri holds a BA in Computer Science from NYU. Ready to Gear Up For Grants? Private Nonprofit Workshop

I've been cooking up some resources just for you nonprofits out there!

A powerful, focused strategy map is the key to helping you gain traction and make a bigger impact in your nonprofit. This FREE 4-part audio workshop and workbook will help you start to lay the foundation for future grant success in your nonprofit. You'll learn to leverage your nonprofit's resources more strategically so you can make a bigger impact.

Get the details and Gear Up For Grants here!

Want to Be a Grant Writer? Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer

If you're wanting to become a grant writer to help nonprofits tell their story to make a bigger impact, then get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today at teresahuff.com/vip.

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

What's YOUR why? Send me a message - I'd love to hear it!

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 22: Preparation for Grant Writing: 6 Things Your Nonprofit Should Have on Hand
• Instrumentl Free Webinars

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Nonprofits, Gear Up For Grants with this free audio workshop:

www.teresahuff.com/gearup

Gear Up For Grants at teresahuff.com/gearup. Happy Birthday to the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast! When I started the podcast one year ago, I never dreamed it would be downloaded in 72 countries across 6 continents! Today I want to thank YOU, my amazing listeners, for all your encouragement and support through this journey over the past year! Last Friday I had the honor of presenting a grant writing session at the Drury University Nonprofit Leadership Annual Conference. The irony was that it had been exactly one year since the official podcast start date. It was amazing being back in person again and meeting some incredible humans doing amazing work in the nonprofit world. What a way to celebrate!! Top 10 Things I Want You to Know About Grant Writing To celebrate the 1 year birthday, I thought a good ol' Top 10 list would be fun! You've heard me say some of these in multiple episodes, and that's because these are important! Ready to Gear Up For Grants? New Private Nonprofit Workshop

I've been cooking up some resources just for you nonprofits out there!

A powerful, focused strategy map is the key to helping you gain traction and make a bigger impact in your nonprofit. This FREE 4-part audio workshop and workbook will help you start to lay the foundation for future grant success in your nonprofit. You'll learn to leverage your nonprofit's resources more strategically so you can make a bigger impact.

Get the details and Gear Up For Grants here!

Want to Be a Grant Writer? Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer

If you're wanting to become a grant writer to help nonprofits tell their story to make a bigger impact, then get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today at teresahuff.com/vip.

And a shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

What's YOUR why? Send me a message - I'd love to hear it!

Other Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 4: Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Grant Writing
• Episode 16: Pro Grant Writing Tip: How to Write Tight
• Episode 24: How to Prevent Nonprofit Decision Fatigue
• Episode 30: Why I Became a Nonprofit Grant Writer: Creating a Ripple Effect
• Episode 37: How Do We Show Nonprofit Sustainability? On-Air Strategy Call
• Episodes 43 - 46: FAST Focus Power Series
• Episode 59: How to Tell Your Nonprofit Story Through Video

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Nonprofit Storytelling Is an Art AND a Science This month we've been talking about nonprofit storytelling and some different ways you can do that. Now we're going a little deeper into how to craft your nonprofit story, and I'm going to share 5 tips that will help you figure out how to tell your story. Grant writing is both an art and a science... It's a science because you have to understand the process, use the research, and follow the funder guidelines to a T. It's an art because you need to decide how much to tell, which data and stories to use, and how to present it the most effectively. Listen in as I share 5 Questions to Ask When Crafting Your Nonprofit Story. Let's Work Together to Tell Your Nonprofit's Story

Sometimes you need help sorting out your nonprofit story and figuring out how to tell it. You know it's vital, yet it's hard when you're in the thick of things and you can't see the forest for the trees. If that's you, then send me a message on LinkedIn or reach out on my website contact page and let's discuss what that could look like for your nonprofit.

If you're wanting to become a grant writer to help nonprofits tell their story to make a bigger impact, then get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today at teresahuff.com/vip.

And a quick shoutout to our friends at Instrumentl for sponsoring today's show. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD.

Your story is important, and the way you tell it is important. How will you share your story this week?

Other Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 4: Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Grant Writing
• Episode 20: How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Grant: Tips to Improve Your Grant Writing Success
• Episode 58: Are You Telling Your Nonprofit Story? How Coffee Mugs Are Like Grant Writing
• Episode 59: How to Tell Your Nonprofit Story Through Video

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer at teresahuff.com/vip. The Art of Nonprofit Storytelling Today's guest is David Jasse from DMJ Studios. We first connected on LinkedIn. After following him for a while, I could tell that he really gets nonprofits. He knows how to pull out a compelling story and showcase it through video. David has worked for some big-name TV networks, and since starting his own production company, his nonprofit films have helped raise over $20M for nonprofits. There are so many great takeaways in this episode! If you're a nonprofit, be ready to take notes on how you can better tell your story. And if you're a grant writer, this might give you some ideas on how you can better help tell your nonprofit's story. Telling Nonprofit Stories Through Video A few of the high points we discuss:

• The importance of telling your story in a high quality way
• How limiting beliefs hurt your nonprofit
• Using video storytelling to raise funding
• Applying smart business principles to running your nonprofit
• 80% of communication is nonverbal
• Asking the right questions to dig deeper
• Drawing out the emotional side of stories

Meet David Jasse

David M. Jasse opened DMJ Studios in 1992 after garnering network experience at CNN, MTV, CBS & FOX. Among his company's most recent achievements is editing & designing graphics for Emmy Award winning "Born to Explore with Richard Weise" as seen on ABC.

Previously, DMJ headed up the editorial team for "Cafe Digital", 52 half hour shows on The Discovery Channel. David's specialty is directing video that engages audiences and touches hearts.

Mr. Jasse's nonprofit films have helped raise over 20 million dollars. In the last year since the pandemic, DMJ has successfully pivoted to producing virtual events for the nonprofit community.

• www.dmjstudios.net
• Connect with David Jasse on LinkedIn
• David says: Send your email to [email protected] with "10 reasons" in the subject line and I'll send you my article on "Ten Reasons Why Most Videos Fail."

Are You Telling Your Nonprofit Story? If we don't tell the stories, people won't know there's a need. And if they don't know there's a need, they can't help meet that need. So tell your stories. Remember, if you need a hand with your grant searches and ongoing tracking, go check out Instrumentl's free trial at teresahuff.com/Instrumentl and get $50 off your first month with the code GWSPOD. If you're a nonprofit or a grant writer and you need help figuring out your next right step, I'd love to help you do just that in the Fast Track to Grant Writer program. Seriously, it's like Miracle Gro for grant writers. You can sign up and start learning today at teresahuff.com/vip. Resources Mentioned:

• Join me at the 2021 Drury Nonprofit Leadership Conference
• Episode 58: Are You Telling Your Nonprofit Story? How Coffee Mugs Are Like Grant Writing
• Book: Likeable Social Media by Dave Kerpen

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Coffee Mugs, Grant Writing, and Storytelling What do coffee mugs have to do with grant writing? (Besides drinking lots of coffee to stay awake and finish the grant!) A few days ago I was getting a mug for my early morning coffee, and it got me to thinking that grant writing is a little bit like those coffee mugs. Today I'll explain. Nonprofit Storytelling If you're a nonprofit and need support telling your story, I invite you to apply to work with me at teresahuff.com/nonprofits. And if you're a grant writer wanting to help nonprofits tell their story, let's get you on the Fast Track to Grant Writer today. Grant Search Tool Instrumentl's grant prospecting, tracking, and management system helps grant writers and nonprofits collect the data on auto-pilot so we can focus more on telling our stories. I highly recommend giving them a try because we have enough on our nonprofit plates already; this is one aspect of our work that they've made really easy to offload. Go to www.teresahuff.com/instrumentl and use the discount code GWSPOD to get a two-week trial and then $50 off your first month. Other Episodes Mentioned:

• 6 Meaningful Ways Your Nonprofit Can Build Relationships with Grant Funders

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip

Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip Developing Nonprofit Board Members Developing a healthy nonprofit board can be a challenge. Often board members agree to serve without understanding their role or how they can best help the nonprofit. Board training and communication can alleviate some of this dysfunction. Board members can then step into their leadership roles and use their skills more effectively. Brian Brandt, CEO of Core Insights, shares words of wisdom for nonprofit board members. We chat about:

• The role of nonprofit board members
• Where to start when onboarding new members
• The importance of market research when starting a nonprofit
• How to encourage board members to get involved
• Fostering connection and vision among nonprofit boards
• Better equipping board members to serve
• Developing ambassadors, not just board members
• Approaching difficult board conversations with grace

Listen in for some great advice from Brian's years of working with nonprofits. Meet Brian Brandt: Brian Brandt is the CEO of Core Insights, a Texas-based company providing training and facilitation for nonprofits and businesses. With three decades of leadership experience, he has devoted his life to developing stronger leaders and organizations. His expertise revolves around board training, leadership, and communication. Brian frequently speaks at conferences on board development and engagement, human resources issues, leadership, change management, and strategic planning. He co-authored The Ambassador's Journey: A Parable About Nonprofit Board Leadership and Blind Spots: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You. Brian holds a Master's in Global Leadership and a Bachelor's in Accounting.

• LinkedIn: Brian K. Brandt, Core Insights
• Email: [email protected]

Nonprofit Work Is a Journey If you're a nonprofit and not sure how to move forward with your mission, go to teresahuff.com/nonprofits and let's chat about the next best steps for you. If you're a grant writer wanting to make a career out of this, join me in the Fast Track to Grant Writer so we can map out specific action steps for your income. Now is a great time to jump in so you can level up your grant writing career. What is ONE SMALL thing you'll do today to make the world around you a better place? Now go do it! Other Episodes Mentioned:

• Episode 26: The Value of Unexpected Mentors and 5 Ways to Find Them [Mentoring Series #1]
• Keys to Success as a Nonprofit Leader: Interview with Dr. Johnathan Kraus, Love Never Fails International [Episode 027]

Connect with Teresa Huff:

Website: www.teresahuff.com

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

Social:

• LinkedIn Community
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Get on the Fast Track to Grant Writer:

www.teresahuff.com/vip