4 Ways to Get Marketing Grants for Nonprofits

?? Let's be real, running a nonprofit organization is no easy feat. Budgets are tight and sometimes, your vision exceeds your wallet. But what if I told you there's a way to supercharge your marketing efforts >> hey even throw you a lifeline to reach your goals? Enter >> marketing grants!

What are Marketing Grants and Why Do They Matter?

First off, marketing grants are funding opportunities provided by governments, foundations, or corporations specifically to support marketing efforts. These grants can cover a wide range of activities, from social media campaigns and new websites, to full-scale advertising and public relations ?? projects.

Why are they so important? Marketing grants give you the financial muscle ?? (aka opportunity) to tell your story ?? in a meaningful way and engage with more supporters. With a well-funded marketing strategy and nonprofit marketing plan, you can increase awareness, drive donations ??, and expand your impact—all without tapping into your operational funds.

Marketing is crucial for any organization, but it's especially important for nonprofits. After all, how can you inspire people to champion your cause if they don't know you exist? With marketing grants, you can amplify your voice, reach new audiences ??, and ultimately drive more donations to support your mission.

Four surefire ways to unlock those coveted marketing grants

1. Get Friendly with Grant Databases

Grant databases on websites like GrantWatch, Grants.gov, and Candid Foundation Directory are goldmines for finding marketing grants tailored to nonprofits like yours. Spend some time exploring these databases ??, create alerts for new grant opportunities, and get ready to submit those applications ??!

2. Attend Grant Writing Workshops

Grant writing is an art form ??, and like any skill, it can be honed and mastered. Attend local or online grant writing workshops to learn how to write those winning proposals. Get insider secrets on how to communicate your organization's mission, highlight your achievements ??, and make a compelling case for why you deserve that grant money. Then, use your data and stories to paint a vivid picture of your impact. Remember, funders want to see that their money is making a real difference, so give them what they want (and need).

3. Build Relationships with Foundations

Foundations ??? are often the gatekeepers to many marketing grants, so build strong relationships from beginning to end, and then some. Attend their events, follow what’s happening on social media??, and don’t just check out their content – engage in a meaningful way. The more familiar the foundation is with your organization and its impact, the more likely they'll consider supporting you.

4. Collaborate with Other Nonprofits

There's strength in numbers so collaborating ?? with other nonprofits can open up new grant opportunities, too. Look for organizations with the same or complementary missions and explore possibilities for joint marketing activities. This increases your chances of securing grants and allows you to pool resources to amplify your collective impact. That’s the goal, so go for it. Mix and match these ideas, or go for all four. The money is there, do you dare??

Grant Opportunities for Nonprofits to Get You Started

?? The Surdna Foundation offers grants for nonprofits working in areas like sustainable? environments, thriving cultures, and urban communities.

?? The Hearst Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working in culture, education, health, and social services.

?? The Kresge Foundation awards grants for nonprofit organizations focused on arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services.

??? Google Ad Grants provides free advertising on Google search result pages to eligible nonprofit organizations.

?? Facebook Donation Ads offer free ads to earn donations on Facebook, helping you reach a larger target audience.

?? The Wavemakers Grant and The Unless Project provides free marketing services to nonprofits each year.?

?? Local Community Foundations often feature grants that can be used to promote your brand and enhance market presence. The best way to learn more is to reach out to Chambers of Commerce to see if they know of any opportunities in your area.?

Are you located in Massachusetts??

The Express Grant Program has a special program for Massachusetts nonprofits and small businesses with W2 employees – and up to $20,000 per year in training in all kinds of fields, including marketing and PR. I offer marketing plan and PR training through the Express Grant Program, and have helped many nonprofits elevate their impact with targeted marketing, social media, and public relations strategies.?

Not Sure How to Start??

Before you dive into a list of available grants, take a step back and define what you really need. Are you looking to boost your social media presence? ?? Or maybe you’d like to refresh or rebrand your website? When you identify your specific marketing goals ?? you’re better able to clarify your strategy and make it easier to find grants that align with your objectives.

Once you’ve submitted your application, don’t just wait for a response. Follow up! A polite, to the point, email or phone call ?? can keep your application top of mind. You’ll also want to maintain detailed records of your applications, deadlines, and communication. When you’re organized ??, there’s less chance of scrambling at the last-minute, and you’ll be more prepared for future opportunities (that are definitely out there).

Marketing grants are more than just a financial boost – they're a game-changer for nonprofits who want to rev up their visibility and credibility (and bring in much needed funds). With the right strategies and a little bit of grant-writing magic ? you can unlock new ways to create awareness, bond with supporters, and ultimately, make a bigger difference in the world.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, I’m here to help. Schedule a call with me, and let’s get your nonprofit some marketing help.

Want to know more about raising funds for your nonprofit? Read 10 Ways to Extend Dollars for Your Non-Profit’s Marketing Plan.?

PR Tool Highlight - HARO is Back as HERO

I’m a big fan of PR tools ??? – and have been recommending that small business owners use Help A Reporter Out to get PR coverage for years. So I was really disappointed ?? when it all but went away.

Recently, Peter Shankman, the Founder of HARO (and a fellow Boston University grad ??), announced he was launching a new site to bring a newer version of HARO back.

If you love clever, you’ll love the new name, HERO (Help Every Reporter Out) ??. It’s a great tool to boost your visibility, credibility, and gain those 'oh so valuable’ backlinks to increase your organic SEO juice.

HERO is a platform designed to connect journalists with the sources or experts they need ??, and gives you the opportunity to position yourself as an authority in your field. You can respond to media queries in your industry or niche, gain sought after exposure in high ranking and relevant outlets, elevate your brand's profile and reach new audiences. (That’s off the top of my head ??).

Join me and Join HERO today ??. Start leveraging media and public relations opportunities to move your business forward in a very big way.

Cheers to 25 Years

I’m a Boston gal, and marketing and PR consultant with over 20 years of experience>> this year I am celebrating 25 years to be exact! Marketing plans and no-cost marketing strategies are my specialty, but I make pretty good Greek meatballs, too. My passions are family, helping others, small business grants, dogs, islands, and travel. My bucket list is always filled, just like your sales bucket should be.

Want to chat? I’d love that.

Here’s my calendar

Connect with me on social:

LinkedIn: RobinSamora

Instagram: @RobinSamoraPR

Facebook: @RobinSamora