Noah E. Spiegel

Navigating the Grant Review Process: Key Insights and What Reviewers Look For PT.2 What Reviewers Look For 1. Relevance to the Call: Reviewers first check if the proposal aligns with the objectives and priorities of the funding call. Proposals must address the specific themes, questions, or challenges outlined by the funder. 2. Significance and Innovation: Proposals should demonstrate the significance of the project. Reviewers look for innovative approaches that offer new insights, solutions, or advancements in the field. A clear articulation of the project's potential impact is crucial. 3. Clear Objectives and Outcomes: Well-defined objectives and expected outcomes are essential. Reviewers favor proposals with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. The outcomes should contribute meaningfully to the field and have a broader societal impact. 4. Sound Methodology: A robust and feasible methodology is critical. Reviewers scrutinize the research design, data collection, and analysis methods to ensure they are appropriate and rigorous. Proposals should also address potential challenges and limitations, along with mitigation strategies. 5. Team Expertise and Capability: The qualifications and experience of the project team are pivotal. Reviewers assess whether the team has the necessary expertise and skills to successfully execute the project. Strong track records in relevant areas can significantly boost a proposal’s credibility. 6. Budget and Resources: The proposed budget must be realistic and well-justified. Reviewers examine whether the resources requested are adequate and reasonable for the project scope. Transparency and detailed justifications for each budget item are important. 7. Sustainability and Dissemination: Reviewers value proposals that plan for sustainability beyond the funding period. This includes strategies for maintaining project outcomes and further funding avenues. Additionally, a solid dissemination plan for sharing findings with the broader community is essential. Conclusion The grant review process is thorough and highly competitive. By understanding the stages of the review process and knowing what reviewers look for, applicants can enhance the quality of their proposals. This increases their chances of securing funding and advancing their research or project goals. Detailed preparation, a clear articulation of the project's significance, and a robust methodology are key components that reviewers prioritize, making them critical elements in a successful grant proposal. Jeremy Burwell Founder/CEO Kingdom Works Giving, Inc contact@kingdomworksgiving.org www.kingdomworksgiving.org #grantwriter #grantwriting #nonprofitconsulting

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The Far Side of Fundraising Tip of the Week Clever words - be they in the form of a case for support, an appeal or a solicitation - cannot make up for a poorly conceived fundraising initiative. Like it or not, philanthropy is a marketplace. Some things have strong donor appeal, some very little. Strategic fundraising entails putting forward concepts that advance mission and resonate with philanthropic values. It is foolish to believe that donors will respond to whatever you want or need if you have charismatic fundraisers making compelling appeals. It's even more foolish to attempt to do so when you give fundraisers the wrong vehicle and less than clever words.

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Thank you Mike Geiger, MBA, CPA for your message in today's Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) Daily on how fundraisers can take steps to help stop individual giving declines through advocacy! Join us and read Mike's post on how to let your Members of Congress know you support the Charitable Act, and how your local AFP Chapter can be a part of these efforts during U.S. Lobby Week August 5-9. Also happy to answer questions on how you can be engaged in this important public policy work. #fundraising #nonprofit #advocacy #publicpolicy #philanthropy #charitableact

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✨ Discover the Power of Storytelling for Innovation! ✨ On the first day of the Virginia Housing Alliance’s (Brian Koziol, Arley Bell) inaugural BIPOC Leadership Institute (BLI) cohort,  where I’m a co-facilitator along with Ebony Walden, we had the privilege of walking the historic streets of Jackson Ward in Richmond, VA, with a remarkable group of housing leaders (Justin Ferguson), as Gary Flowers a fifth-generation Jackson Ward resident shared powerful stories of this community, known as one of the Black Wall Streets of the South, and highlighted stories of vision, determination and resilience from leaders such as: 🌟 Maggie L. Walker: The first African American woman to charter a bank, breaking barriers and inspiring us to think beyond limitations. 🌟 William "Bojangles" Robinson: A philanthropist and entertainer who invested in the safety, education, and future of Black children, teaching us persistence in the face of challenges. 🌟 John Mitchell Jr.: The iconic editor of the Richmond Planet, using his words to inspire and influence the community towards advocacy and change. Their stories inspire and remind us of storytelling's profound impact on innovation. How can we use storytelling to inspire new ideas and grow as leaders?  Here are three ways in which I believe stories can influence innovation: 🚀 Inspiring Vision: Stories help us dream big and think creatively. 🚀 Learning from Challenges: Narratives of perseverance teach us resilience about overcoming challenges we will encounter. 🚀 Building Empathy: Shared experiences foster connection and collaboration. 🔗 Check out the full article, "A Lesson from Jackson Ward: How Our Stories Can Inspire Innovation", on Jordansydnor.com to explore how we can use storytelling to innovate and grow as leaders. Let's transform our communities by embracing the lessons from Jackson Ward. What stories from your past inspire your innovative thinking? Share in the comments below! 👇🏾 #Innovation #Leadership #Storytelling #JacksonWard #Inspiration #Community

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Exponent Philanthropy is exploring new ways funders can increase their impact! Read and download "How Grantees Think Funders Can Improve" today. This report surveyed over 400 nonprofits across six foundations over the last two years. It highlights how funders can improve in effect and process. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4aCklUc.

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Do all capital campaigns need a fundraising consultant? Read on to learn about different types of fundraising counsel and how they can benefit your organization! #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitcapitalcampaign #capitalcampaign #capitalcampaignconsultant

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this part, #MYGOD: "If we are to build a just and inclusive world, those with wealth and power must mitigate their need to appear smart and special, acknowledge that they don’t have the moral authority to set priorities, accept that their role is to ensure that the people and communities most affected by systemic injustice have the resources and autonomy to lead, give Multi-Year General Operating Dollars (MYGOD), and otherwise get out of the way."

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"I hate boards." Boards, councils, advisory committees. Call them what you want. The truth is I have heard non-profit leaders express this sentiment of frustration time after time. And to be fair, there are some really terrible boards out there. But it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe the problem is, you aren't inviting the A Team to be a part of your committee. So why are you surprised when you don't get an A Team effort? My Co-Host Greg Jeffrey highlights five ways you can build an A Team of volunteers in this week's podcast episode. Check out the comments for the link. #justask #nonprofits #development #boards

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 have partnered to explore the ways that consultants and advisors help foundations and donors achieve their goals, and how consultants and advisors can better serve the needs of their clients. If you are a donor, grantmaking foundation staff or trustee, consultant to grantmakers, or philanthropic advisor who works with donors, this survey is for you! It will take no longer than 15 minutes. Learn more and take the survey: https://lnkd.in/drfkGKgv

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Please, can we stop talking about donors and all stakeholders in the social impact sector for that matter in broad, monolithic terms. Can we please stop saying “donors will never/always do this” or “organizations in the sector believe…” And, if you are offering up these platitudes, please share real stories about conversations with donors to demonstrate your expertise. Please identify what kind of organizations share this particular point of view. I can’t tell you how often I read a viral post and think, well, that’s not been my experience. In fact, my experience was the exact opposite to what hundreds of people have suggested is “truth.” Organizations in this sector, as well as donors, staff and other stakeholders are diverse. While I know we love prescriptive posts that say what is and isn’t truth — in reality— out here on the frontlines — there are many truths. As both a practitioner and a consultant, what I strive to build and mentor are organizations and leaders who are responsive, resilient, open-minded, purposeful and committed to continuous learning. Stay open to possibility. The universe is listening. 🙏 P.S. If Mother’s Day is something you celebrate, I’m wishing you a happy one. This a picture of my mom on her wedding day to husband one of three - my Dad. She was always an inspiration, optimist and believer in possibility. Can’t believe she’s been gone seven years. Hug your loved ones.

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It’s been such a privilege to help research, design, and release the latest report from Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity: The State of Black Business. This is a foundational report for our joint initiative between Third Way & National Urban League. We dove into publicly-available data from the Federal Reserve, US Census Bureau, and other various sources to focus on Black-owned employer businesses with at least two employees. And we took an expansive look at their attributes, performance, and challenges. The State of Black Business uncovers a dozen insights that illustrate significant disparities in access to capital, market opportunities, and resources. For example, we found that Black-owned businesses are: * Growing…Slowly: Seeing year-over-year growth but are still drastically underrepresented. * Small: 97% have less than 20 employees, and 3-in-4 have fewer than five employees. *Young: Likely to have been in existence under two years. *Flying under $100k: Taking in less revenue than other businesses. *Often Shut Out of Financing: Far more likely to experience pervasive barriers to accessing capital. *Infrequent Contract Recipients: Inadequately represented among government contract awardees. Report can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e588SMwS It’s been wonderful working with Imani Augustus Rachel Evans Madeline Burke Stephanie DeVane Tara Murray Dennis G. Serrette on this vital research.

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Overheard in the Industry: Fundraisers miss opportunities to solicit. That may shock you, but we agree. So often perfection gets in the way of asking - the perfect research, the perfect situation, the perfect naming opportunity, etc. What this doesn't take into account is what the DONOR thinks. Specifically, what do THEY need to see from the organization to be ready for a major gift conversation? This ask-before-the-ask approach builds trust and clarity - i.e. the essence of cultivation.

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Proud moments: last week's White House roundtable. I had the honor of participating in crucial discussions with administrative officials, LGBTQ investors, founders, entrepreneurs, and activists from across the venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our goal? To shape policies that empower LGBTQ entrepreneurs and capital allocators in the venture capital economy. Three reflections came out of this experience: 1. Awareness is key. The administration has numerous programs to support LGBTQ entrepreneurs, but many remain underutilized due to lack of awareness. We must bridge this information gap. 2. Visibility is power. Being part of this roundtable reinforced the importance of creating visibility for LGBTQ investors and entrepreneurs. Our stories and experiences can drive meaningful change. 3. More work lies ahead. While progress has been made, there's still a pressing need for policies that offer the LGBTQ community the same level of support as other underrepresented groups. This "meeting of the minds" was a pivotal step towards a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.  By fostering stronger connections between the LGBTQ business community and policymakers, we're paving the way for new opportunities, increased access to capital, and a more vibrant, diverse venture capital ecosystem. As we move forward, I'm committed to amplifying our community's voice and working towards policies that ensure equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Together, we can build a future where innovation knows no boundaries.

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How can fundraisers help move their funders to be more trust-based? 🤔 Our Communications Manager, Robyn Windham received this question from a development professional that prompted her to write a blog post on this topic. Trust-Based Philanthropy is an alternative approach that aims to advance equity, shift power, and build mutually accountable relationships. As a former fundraiser turned #trustbasedphilanthropy advocate, she believes fundraisers can play a crucial role in sparking change. Check out the blog post for practical tips on how fundraisers can spark a more trust-based approach among their funders! Have more ideas? Tell us in the comments! https://lnkd.in/ggii_jMC

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 are partnering on a survey to assess the practice of philanthropy by understanding the behavior and attitudes of grantmakers and the consultants and advisors who serve them. If you are a donor, staff at a grantmaking institute, or a consultant or advisor who works in the field of philanthropy, take this survey and share your insights on the role of consultants and advisors in helping Grantmakers advance their philanthropy:

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 are partnering on a survey to assess the practice of philanthropy by understanding the behavior and attitudes of grantmakers and the consultants and advisors who serve them. If you are a donor, staff at a grantmaking institute, or a consultant or advisor who works in the field of philanthropy, take this survey and share your insights on the role of consultants and advisors in helping Grantmakers advance their philanthropy:

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