McGrants – Drive-Through Moments

Today, we’re going behind the order. In grants, there’s plenty of advice about what you’re supposed to do, but experience has a way of changing how you see things. So, we’re taking a different approach and talking about the lessons that only come from doing this work over time. No standard order today. Let’s get into it.

Many organizations behave as though the grant professional owns as everything from program design through reporting and the final products as well. This episode could unpack responsibility across leadership, program, finance, evaluation, and grant teams. We also discuss who owns the finished products-the consultant or the client?

Federal grants continue to change and so are the risks, expectations, and strategies surrounding them. In this McGrants Dine-In episode, Valerie A. Grant and Keri McDonald talk with federal grant strategist Fielding Jezreel, MSW, GPC, about nonprofit readiness, shifting federal funding priorities, delayed reimbursements, grant terminations, DEI language, and political influence on the review proce...

Writing a proposal is only a small part of what grant professionals do. In this episode, Keri and Valerie share how their experience in direct services, nonprofit leadership, and business shapes their approach to grant development. From realistic program commitments and project budgets to focused research and adaptable grant design, they explore the work behind the application and why success mean...

The "Of Course" Factor is a comprehensive guide to meaningful grant writing for practitioners and organizations who want to do more than secure funding. They want to expand impact. Written by Alison Welch, a grant writer, grant reviewer, social worker, and college professor with over two decades of field experience, this is the advanced guide that takes you from the history of philanthropy to the...

Even nonprofits that never receive federal grants are feeling the effects of federal funding reductions. Organizations losing government support are turning to foundations and individual donors, increasing competition throughout the funding ecosystem. CEP specifically documented this downstream effect in its 2026 research.

Organizations often respond to financial pressure by adding more grants to the pipeline without considering who will develop, implement, manage, and report on them. This episode explores what happens when grant ambitions exceed organizational capacity.

The 2026 State of Nonprofits report found that 57% of nonprofit CEOs say securing foundation grants has become harder since January 2025, 44% have experienced reduced foundation funding, and 66% are concerned about their organization’s financial stability. The share of nonprofits operating at a deficit also rose from 22% in 2022 to 39% in 2025. Those findings confirm what grant professionals are s...

A longer list of possible grants doesn't always produce better results. This conversation explores why organizations should focus on building the right grant portfolio instead of pursuing every opportunity that comes along.

Grant guidelines don't always say everything they're trying to communicate. Learn how experienced grant professionals look beyond eligibility requirements to understand what funders are really looking for.

Organizations often focus on landing the biggest grant possible. But the strongest grant programs are usually built one relationship, one outcome, and one successful project at a time. This episode explores why starting smaller can lead to bigger opportunities.

Not every corporate opportunity comes as a check. This episode explores how nonprofits can evaluate corporate volunteerism, in-kind support, employee engagement, sponsorships, and skills-based partnerships without mistaking every offer for useful support.

AI can help grant professionals work faster, but it can also create generic, inaccurate, or funder-misaligned proposals when used poorly. This episode explores how to use AI responsibly without losing strategy, authenticity, accuracy, or human judgment.

In this episode of McGrants: Drive-Through Moments, Keri and Valerie discuss what consultants should focus on during the first 30 days with a new grant client. From understanding the organization’s programs, funding history, internal capacity, and grant readiness to setting expectations and identifying early priorities, this conversation explores how a strong onboarding process can create a better...

In this episode of McGrants: Drive-Through Moments, Keri and Valerie discuss how nonprofit organizations and grant professionals can adapt when grant rules change. Grant guidelines, deadlines, eligibility requirements, application instructions, and funder priorities can shift, sometimes after an organization has already started preparing a proposal. This conversation explores why it is important t...

Strong organizations plan beyond today's needs. This conversation explores how nonprofits can work with foundations to strengthen financial resilience, build operating reserves, and create long-term stability.

Every grantmaker relationship starts somewhere. Two GPC experts discuss practical ways new organizations can begin connecting with funders, building credibility, and creating meaningful relationships before the proposal is submitted.

Getting turned down doesn't always mean moving on. This conversation explores how to evaluate grant rejections, determine whether a funder is still a strong fit, and decide when persistence makes sense versus when it's time to redirect your efforts. Also, hear what happens when Keri and Valerie are challenged with three days of tech issues while trying to record!

The best grants lead to more opportunities. This conversation explores how reporting, stewardship, and thoughtful follow-up can transform a one-time award into an ongoing funder partnership.

Funders want results—but not every metric tells the right story. This discussion focuses on selecting outcomes that demonstrate meaningful impact and strengthen proposal credibility.

From unclear outcomes to rushed submissions, some mistakes quietly undermine otherwise strong proposals. This episode highlights common pitfalls and how to prevent them.

Reusing content can save time—but only if it still fits the funder. This quick conversation explores how to adapt boilerplate strategically so proposals stay relevant, responsive, and compelling.

Even strong proposals can fall apart when the budget tells a different story. Two GPC experts discuss how to ensure budgets reinforce program strategy and strengthen funder confidence.

Every once in a while the best strategy is submitting now; other times it’s building the relationship first. Two GPCs share how to recognize the difference and position organizations for stronger proposals later.

Struggling to get your grant applications noticed in a fiercely competitive landscape? You're not alone—and here's the truth: with foundation applications getting tougher by the day, knowing when to apply or build relationships can make all the difference. Discover the counterintuitive strategies that grant pros use to succeed even amidst double and triple the competition—from understanding when r...