Grant Writing Made Clear with Dr. Trenette

A site visit is an encouraging sign that your proposal has captured a funder’s attention, but it is not a formality. It is a meaningful part of the funder’s decision making process and an opportunity to demonstrate that your project is well designed, feasible, and ready for investment. In this episode, Dr. Trenette explains how site visits fit within the grant funding process, from the letter of i...

In part two of Dr. Trenette’s conversation with her mentor and friend, Dr. Faye Z. Belgrave, they talk honestly about the part of grant writing that every scholar and nonprofit leader eventually encounters: rejection. Dr. Belgrave reminds listeners that not receiving a grant does not define your worth, your intelligence, or the value of your work. She encourages everyone to stay connected to the p...

In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear , Dr. Trenette is joined by her mentor and friend, Dr. Faye Z. Belgrave, a recently retired university vice president, psychology professor, and community engaged researcher who has a history of federal, foundation, and corporate grant funding. Dr. Belgrave reflects on her career and how grants helped her support graduate students, junior faculty, commun...

In this episode, Dr. Trenette reminds us that the strength of a lab (or center, institute, nonprofit organization, and any other entity) is not only measured by impact, grant dollars, publications, titles, or prestige. Funding cycles shift and papers may be rejected, but the people in the lab are what make the work meaningful, sustainable, and strong. This episode invites us to think differently a...

We often want to run before we have mastered walking. In this episode, Dr. Trenette takes us to the sidelines of her children’s athletic training center to share a powerful lesson on the importance of the fundamentals. While many trainers on the center’s staff focus on high-speed drills, it is the Olympian who insists on a "slow pace," focusing on the techniques that build an elite found...

In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares five practical strategies for staying productive with grant writing during busy seasons. If you are balancing teaching, research, service, grant writing, fundraising, caregiving, or other major responsibilities, this episode will help you stay focused and productive. You will learn how to protect your energy, prioritize what matters most, and make meaningful pr...

In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette tackles the emotional and practical reality of the final stretch before you hit submit. The last mile is where grant writing shifts to more precision, where anxiety can get louder, energy can get lower, and perfectionism may try to drive the car. This episode offers practical strategies that help you submit a proposal that is clear, complia...

Leading a grant is not only about writing a strong grant application. It is about implementation, compliance, budgeting, reporting, and leading people through the full life cycle of the project. In this episode, Dr. Trenette walks you through a practical readiness check so you can assess whether you are ready to serve as the lead on a grant, and what to strengthen if you are not there yet. In this...

In this episode, Dr. Trenette invites us to set 2026 goals differently. Instead of rushing into a “new year, go harder” mindset, we pause to reflect on what truly drained our energy in 2025 so we do not carry the same stress into a new calendar. This episode blends practical planning steps with encouragement that reminds us that our most important goals are not only about what we produce, but who...

Grant Writing Made Clear just passed a major milestone, one year on the air. In this anniversary episode, Dr. Trenette reflects on what this community has built and shares three practical moves from Season 1 that you can apply immediately to strengthen your grant writing practices. This episode is part celebration, part gratitude, and part reset for the year ahead. In this episode, you will hear L...

Grant Writing Made Clear This week we talk about food as a steady source of energy, clarity, and care for people who carry big workloads and bigger missions. My guest, Julia Ambrozy, RD , is a registered dietitian who helps busy professionals build simple, sustainable nutrition routines that support focus, mood, and stamina. We explore how food choices fuel the impactful work we do. Julia offers a...

Grant Writing Made Clear Today’s conversation is for those serious about becoming a strong leader. My guest, Josh Hinson, is Director of Relational Leadership @ Carolina, a human centered, transformational leadership program in the UNC Provost’s Office of Interprofessional Health Initiatives. Josh began partnering with Intend Health Strategies in 2019 through UNC’s pilot Relational Leadership Inst...

Grant Writing Made Clear  Sometimes the most strategic move you can make is to pause, plan, and strategize. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares recommendations for designing your season with clarity so you can stop reacting and start leading with intention. Here are the 3 key takeaways: 1- Seasons require prioritizing :  If you do not set priorities, the season will set them for you. 2- Rhythms c...

Grant Writing Made Clear Many, if not most, foundations screen with Letters of Intent (LOIs). LOIs are short, high-stakes documents that decide whether you get to submit a full proposal. In this episode, I break down what program officers look for in LOIs, share a simple LOI structure that works, and the mindset that helps you rise to the top of a crowded review pile. If you have ever felt unsure...

Grant Writing Made Clear Grants do more than fund interventions. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares how the process of grant writing builds clarity of mission, professional credibility, strategic discipline, partnerships, and a resilient growth mindset. You will walk away with practical ways to treat each proposal. What you will learn How writing proposals clarifies who you serve, why it matters...

DWelcome back to Season 2! In this opening episode, Dr. Trenette reflects on her summer sabbatical and the powerful lessons she learned about rest, renewal, and resistance. From presenting in Paris to glamping in South Carolina and soaking up sunshine in Jamaica, she shares how stepping back created space for new ideas, creativity, and joy. In this episode, you’ll hear: Insights from international...

 I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear As we prepare for a summer sabbatical, this powerful episode offers heartfelt encouragement for anyone who has ever doubted their place in the room. Dr. Trenette shares a personal and affirming message that you are the assignment. Your uniq...

 I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear , we explore consistency and why it matters. If you've ever struggled with staying focused, getting started, or making progress on big goals like grant writing, this episode is for you. We un...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear In Episode 19 of Grant Writing Made Clear , Dr. Trenette explores what it means to maintain momentum when resources are limited. Lean seasons are common but they don't have to derail your work. Dr. Trenette shares seven actionable strat...

I am on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear In today’s episode of Grant Writing Made Clear , Dr. Trenette dives into something many of us need now more than ever—community. When funding dries up and institutional support feels shaky, where do we turn? Dr. Trenette explores how creating or...

 I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear , Dr. Trenette shares actionable strategies to elevate your writing and increase your chances of securing funding. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grant writer, these practical tips will h...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Grant Writing Made Clear Rejection—it’s the part of grant writing that no one wants to talk about, but nearly every grant writer will face. That dreaded "we regret to inform you" email can feel like a punch to the gut. But here’s the truth: rejection is no...

 I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  Welcome back to Grant Writing Made Clear ! I’m Dr. Trenette, and today, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in grant writing—coming up with a fundable idea that funders can’t resist. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to figure out where to begin, you’re not...

I'm on a short sabbatical, but this episode is too good not to revisit. Enjoy this listener favorite while I rest and recharge!  The grant funding landscape is shifting—and staying ahead means adapting to change. In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear , Dr. Trenette shares her Top 5 Grant Funding Trends for 2025 that every nonprofit leader, researcher, and grant writer needs to know. Fro...

Grant Writing Made Clear In this Season 1 finale, Dr. Trenette makes a powerful case for intentional rest as an act of resistance in a productivity-obsessed culture. She announces her summer sabbatical and invites listeners to join her in centering rest - not as a reward to earn, but as a fundamental right that fuels better and sustainable impact. Key Topics Covered Drawing from her rural upbringi...