Fundraising HayDay

The Office of Management and Budget proposed many changes to 2 CFR Part 200 (also known as Uniform Guidance) in early June. If approved, changes will significantly impact agencies’ ability to receive and manage federal funding. The comment period closes July 13, 2026.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: Encore Institute for Social Im...

Grant professionals require access to subject matter experts and information to develop successful grant proposals. We often lament about the hardest aspect of this work: getting the information we need in a timely manner. Fortunately, tools exist to aid our quest.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: Encore Institute for Social Impac...

If your agency receives grant funding, chances are you’ve been asked to share said organization’s most recent annual audit. And if enough federal funds are involved, a single audit may be necessary.  Let’s dive into the reason for each to ensure you’re meeting funder (and other) requirements.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: Grant...

If you’ve worked at a nonprofit long enough, you’ve been involved with a capital campaign. Whether you’re raising capital for a new building, large piece of equipment, or infrastructure galore, these projects are often in addition to your typical duties. Steven Shattuck of Capital Campaign Pro joins us to share insights and advice on running a successful capital campaign, all while maintaining you...

It’s rare to find a funder fully invested in nonprofits - not just funding their work, but also investing in their growth and development. The Tracy Family Foundation is “growing a legacy of generosity to help communities thrive and families flourish.” They not only fund traditional capacity building training, but offer specific trainings and workshops for their grantees related to helping organiz...

If you’re a grant professional, you need information from other people. Grant proposals require data, stories, documents, and so much more. It’s never a solo sport. But getting the information you need to put together a quality proposal is sometimes the hardest part of the job.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: GrantGuru Use discou...

When we talk about nonprofits, most of us assume we mean the 501(c)3 varieties. But that’s not the only mechanism available to organizations looking to build a better world. Let’s dive into the many organizations and groups doing community-centered work, often right alongside nonprofits.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: GrantGuru...

Fundraising and Grant Writing – people often think they are two different things. But the truth is simple: grant writing is one aspect of fundraising, along with things like individual donors, major gifts, special events, and more. Let’s talk best practices so all fundraising works in tandem.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: Grant...

Spoiler alert: grant writing is so much more than writing. Building and maintaining funder relationships is a big part of your role as a grant and/or nonprofit professional. We’re joined by Carolyn Caldwell to talk about how to best build such relationships.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: GrantGuru Use discount code HAYDAY963 fo...

Can I just charge you a percentage of the grant once it gets awarded? If you’ve worked long enough as a consultant, you’ve gotten that question at least once. Today we’re sharing why that is against the grant professional code of ethics, and how to handle the conversation when it comes up.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR: GrantGur...

When you are an employee charged with fundraising through grant proposal development, what are your roles and responsibilities? Your position in the org chart, who you report to, and your role as a leader all affect your ability to build a grants team and a successful grant program. We’re sharing insights on what works best, how to educate up, and more.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Bec...

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?   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   CHECK OUT TODAY’S SPONSOR...

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.   JOIN...

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 rol...

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, a...

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...

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 t...

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.   JOIN THE...

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.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Becom...

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.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: More Than Grant Writers  ...

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.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon

It’s often a touchy subject for consultants and employees in the nonprofit sector – how much should you charge/be paid for your work? Truthfully, the answer varies based on your education, experience, and know-how. Charging less than your worth because you’re working for a nonprofit does not mean you care more for nonprofits in general or the mission of one nonprofit in particular. JOIN THE FUNDRA...

Leadership is vital to the success of any organization. We often talk about it. We often dream about good leadership. But who actually takes the time to study leadership and then help nonprofit leaders really think about how to develop programs that work? Stacy Fitzsimmons, CEO of SNF Writing Solutions, that’s who. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon SHOW NOTES: M...

To ensure the proper checks and balances of an organization, it takes more than one person to manage your organization’s grants, particularly when federal grant funding is involved. Even if you are the only one with “grant” in your title, it takes a team to get the job done. Let’s talk about all the elements of grant management and who should be a member of your grant management team.   JOIN THE F...

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 prof...