Take Five Spring 2022 Recap: Piquing the Interest of Funders Through Persuasive Grant Writing
Decoding Grant Success: Key Takeaways from the May 2022 Nonprofit Leadership Conference
The May 2022 Nonprofit Leadership Conference delivered a powerful message: securing grant funding transcends mere writing proficiency. Andrea Hoff, a seasoned grant professional and founder of You Thrive Training and Consulting, emphasized the critical distinction between effective writing and persuasive proposal composition. The conference illuminated the art of influencing funders, moving beyond conveying information to inspiring action—specifically, the awarding of grant dollars.
Hoff underscored the necessity of understanding the funder’s perspective. Successful grant writing demands a deep dive into funder values, priorities, and experiences. Attendees learned the importance of aligning organizational goals with funder objectives, utilizing meticulous prospect research, and crafting proposals that resonate emotionally. The “Persuasion Intersection” model, presented by Minor and Minor, highlighted the significance of demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI), establishing applicant credibility, and weaving in intangible elements like trust, passion, and commitment.
Furthermore, the conference shed light on the often-overlooked perspective of the grant reviewer. Hoff detailed the arduous process of reviewing numerous proposals, highlighting the importance of readability and clarity. Attendees were urged to prioritize concise language, effective formatting, and strategic use of white space to alleviate reviewer fatigue and enhance comprehension. The “Rule of 12” vividly illustrated the potential exhaustion of reviewers, emphasizing the need for proposals that offer a refreshing and straightforward reading experience.
Practical advice permeated the session, with discussions on accessing IRS 990s, researching funder priorities, and requesting scoring rubrics. The delicate balance between organizational needs and funder objectives was addressed, particularly concerning operational expenses and indirect costs. Hoff stressed the importance of diversifying funding sources and advocating for reasonable indirect cost percentages.
For burgeoning nonprofits, establishing credibility was a key focus. The conference emphasized building a strong organizational foundation, pursuing accreditations, and highlighting staff expertise. Finally, the value of gaining grant reviewer experience was underscored, providing attendees with a unique perspective on the evaluation process and enhancing their grant writing skills.
In essence, the May 2022 conference equipped nonprofit leaders with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complex landscape of grant funding, emphasizing the power of persuasive communication and a profound understanding of the human element in the grant-making process.
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May 2022 Take Five Nonprofit Leadership Conference Video
The training session focused on the art of persuasive grant writing, emphasizing the need to understand and appeal to both funders and grant reviewers. Beyond simple writing skills, successful grant applications require aligning organizational values with funder priorities, demonstrating a clear return on investment, and weaving in emotional appeals. Practical advice covered thorough prospect research, effective formatting for readability, and the importance of establishing organizational, individual, and project credibility. The session highlighted the reviewer’s experience, stressing the need for concise, accessible language and strategic use of formatting to combat reviewer fatigue and enhance comprehension.