Grants Plus

Right now, many of us are looking to grant funders and wondering: Will they shed their chicken feathers? Grant seekers exist at the mercy of grant makers. We navigate uncertainty, waiting to see who will show up, who will take risks, and who will step in. That’s why this piece by Lisa Pilar Cowan of the ROBERT STERLING CLARK FOUNDATION, INC. struck me. It takes courage for a grant maker to admit their own fear, to name the discomfort of risk, and to recognize that their privilege has shielded them from the same precarity nonprofits face every day. Lisa could have stayed quiet, like so many do, but instead, she chose to step forward and name the truth: philanthropy has been risk-averse for too long. Some funders are embracing this moment—moving money faster, loosening restrictions, and standing beside nonprofits rather than above them. Others, I hope, will take inspiration from this kind of brave leadership and step out of their own comfort zones. Bravery isn’t about waiting until the fear is gone. It’s about acting in the face of it. Nonprofits do this every day. It’s time for more funders to do the same. Let’s celebrate the leaders like Lisa who are showing up with courage. And let’s hope their bravery spreads.

At Grants Plus, our team of professional grants consultants utilize their many years of experience and expertise in grant strategy and grant writing to assist fundraisers across the U.S. achieve their goals. Today, we celebrate Kari Elsila, Director of the Government and Research Department. Kari has been with Grants Plus for 9 years. In her current role, she leads a team of grant strategy consultants, ensuring excellent service delivery to our clients. About Kari: Kari grew up in Detroit, MI, and currently lives in Ohio. She holds a BA from the University of Michigan in Social Science and a Master of Nonprofit Organizations degree from Case Western Reserve University. Throughout her career, she has raised more than $30 million from private, corporate, and government funders. Kari on Working at Grants Plus: “What I love most about working at Grants Plus is my colleagues. Grants Plus is a powerhouse of grant professionals who are passionate about their work, are driven to advance the nonprofit sector, and love debating the use of the Oxford comma. It’s an amazing community of smart, dedicated people with deep expertise in grant seeking.” Kari’s Tips on Grant Writing: “The most important best practice in grant writing is to lay the groundwork for a successful request. Before you even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), it’s important to do your homework – identify funders that are aligned with your mission, reach out to them in advance of submitting to seek guidance and share about your organization, and make sure your ask (purpose and amount) is aligned with the funder’s priorities. Then, of course, the proposal should be written crisply and make a compelling case for support that appeals to both the head and the heart.” More about Grants Plus: www.grantsplus.com #grants?#Grantwriting #GrantTips?#FundingSuccess?#Nonprofitfundraising

#TuesdayTip??The data speaks volumes: relationship building is not just a nicety; it is an essential component of a successful fundraising strategy. Organizations that master relationship cultivation will not only see a boost in their funding success rates but will also lay the groundwork for sustainable, long-term support. Learn more ??https://hubs.ly/Q03cZBrs0 #grantseeking #funderrelations #grantwriting #institutionalfundraising

Right now, many of us are looking to grant funders and wondering: Will they shed their chicken feathers? Grant seekers exist at the mercy of grant makers. We navigate uncertainty, waiting to see who will show up, who will take risks, and who will step in. That’s why this piece by Lisa Pilar Cowan of the ROBERT STERLING CLARK FOUNDATION, INC. struck me. It takes courage for a grant maker to admit their own fear, to name the discomfort of risk, and to recognize that their privilege has shielded them from the same precarity nonprofits face every day. Lisa could have stayed quiet, like so many do, but instead, she chose to step forward and name the truth: philanthropy has been risk-averse for too long. Some funders are embracing this moment—moving money faster, loosening restrictions, and standing beside nonprofits rather than above them. Others, I hope, will take inspiration from this kind of brave leadership and step out of their own comfort zones. Bravery isn’t about waiting until the fear is gone. It’s about acting in the face of it. Nonprofits do this every day. It’s time for more funders to do the same. Let’s celebrate the leaders like Lisa who are showing up with courage. And let’s hope their bravery spreads.

At Grants Plus, we are grateful to work in an amazing industry with a visionary leader and dedicated colleagues who work hard every day to help grant-seekers fulfill their missions to improve the world.

Imagine having the ability to use cutting-edge AI technology along with Grants Plus’s?industry-leading grant writing expertise. Grants Plus is excited to announce the launch of Grant Writer, an AI-powered feature designed to help nonprofits draft winning grant applications in minutes. Available through Engage, Kindsight's generative AI tool, Grant Writer leverages Grants Plus’s best practices in grant writing and uses our proprietary database of funding insights from fully awarded grants. We are thrilled to partner with Kindsight on this revolutionary new product. #grants #GrantWriting #FundingSuccess #GrantApplications #nonprofitfundraising For more information: https://lnkd.in/gWZg4snC

#TuesdayTip ??Embracing a major gifts approach to grant seeking transcends the transactional nature of traditional grant applications. 5 strategies below ?? 1. Start with Research: Before reaching out, conduct thorough research on potential funders to understand their interests and past giving patterns. 2. Engage Early and Often: Don’t wait for a grant cycle to initiate contact. 3. Be Transparent and Authentic: Funders appreciate honesty and are more likely to support organizations that are candid about their needs, obstacles, and progress. 4. Focus on Alignment: Demonstrate how your mission aligns with the funder’s goals and how their support can amplify the impact of both parties. 5. Plan for the Long Term: While it may take time to see results, the payoff can be substantial, leading to more significant, sustained support. To learn more ??https://hubs.ly/Q03bQm3L0 #FundraisingTips #GrantSeeking #MajorGiftsApproach

What if the path to success isn’t a straight line—but a winding road filled with unexpected turns? Last night, I had the privilege of sitting on a panel with some truly incredible women, discussing imposter syndrome, our career journeys, and the biggest lessons we’ve learned along the way. I shared my own story—how I walked a winding path and never imagining that one day I’d be leading a company I love. The road wasn’t linear, and there were plenty of moments where I questioned if I belonged. But the truth is: we belong exactly where we are when we show up as our real, imperfect selves. My biggest takeaway from the conversation? The more we drop the fake facades, the more we connect—not just with each other, but with our truest selves. Huge thanks to The Junior League of Cleveland and Katie Leimkuehler, ACC for leading such an open and honest discussion, and to my fellow panelists Alison Arkin MS, PCC, GPCC, LaVonne Pulliam, and Kris Beck for their wisdom and vulnerability. Sharing a photo from the night—grateful for spaces where we can have these real conversations. #CareerJourney #ImposterSyndrome #Authenticity #WomenInLeadership

On this Friday, March 14, 2025 International Grant Professionals Day, founded by the Grant Professionals Association, we celebrate all grant professionals who work tirelessly to seek grant opportunities, administer projects and implement important programs that benefit society. At Grants Plus, we are proud to be a part of this community and are grateful to be given the opportunity to partner with those who fund and execute critical initiatives that have a positive impact on our world. https://grantsplus.com/ #grants #GrantWriting #nonprofitfundraising #FundingSuccess

For over two decades, Grants Plus Founder and CEO Lauren Steiner, has helped nonprofits build strong, sustainable institutional funding strategies. But right now, the ground is shifting. Funders are quiet. Government grants are in flux. And many nonprofits are wondering: Where do we go from here? Don't miss this insightful webinar with Lauren Steiner, Meghan Speer and Nonprofit Hub for a real, no-fluff conversation about: ?? How institutional funding is changing right now ?? What funders are signaling (and what they aren’t) ?? Practical ways to stay proactive and prepared If you’re looking for clarity and a path forward, we hope you'll join: ?? Weds., March 12 @11am Eastern ?? For more information: https://lnkd.in/d_YKhsnZ #grants #GrantTips #Grantwriting #nonprofitfundraising