Grant Ready

Federal Grants, Where Do I Start?

Federal Grants, Where Do I Start?

Federal Grants, Where Do I Start? Are you having trouble navigating the federal grant world? You are not alone! There are over 1600 federal grant programs provided by Congress.  The scope and complexity of federal grants has increased considerably over the past decade. It can feel overwhelming when you start to seek a federal grant.  For many grant seekers, grants.gov is often the go-to source for federal grant information.  If you start with grants.gov – you are probably too late to get the grant!   See, grants.gov will provide you with information on existing grant opportunities. You want to win…read more →

Google Communities

Google Communities

   Google Communities   As you have probably heard, Google has made some pretty big changes to its Google business services, you can find out more here, here and here. Today, I want to talk about Google+ Communities.   Now, I consider myself a Google Gal and use many of Google's tools including Gmail and Hangouts.  I also have a Facebook page, Twitter account, and a website. So, you may be wondering why I would need or want to use G+ with their Circles, Communities and Pages.   Well, wonder no more, your answers are in  What the Plus! Google+ for the Rest of Us  by…read more →

Twitter is Super Useful for Grant Pros!

Do Grant Pros Tweet? Yes! Grant professionals are on the Twittersphere – sharing, gathering and connecting. I know! Who knew? Recently, I found myself proclaiming the joys and advantages of Twitter for grant departments and grant consultants. This is surprising because a few years ago I was doggedly opposed to using Twitter. I mean, why would I want to sign up for another time sucking social media tool when I was already using Linked In and Facebook, right? Wrong! Don’t get me wrong, you can waste a lot of time on any social media tool. (Confession: I am hooked on rousing…read more →

Building Virtual Trust to Win Grants

Building Virtual Trust to Win Grants

Build Virtual Trust to Win Grants Building trust is key to fundraising, grant seeking, partnerships and client services. is important, including grant seeking.   Building virtual trust is an essential element to building trust for your organization. Our world is wired to share information and build our reputations. Your reputation as an agency, as a board, as a program, and as a professional can impact the organization’s ability to secure funding. Building your online reputation and online relationships is vital to your organization’s reputation and you will increase your fundraising and grant seeking success. Grantors and donors feel entitled to having your…read more →

Independent Consultant Tools: An Interview with Jo Miller

Independent Consultant Tools: An Interview with Jo Miller

Independent Contracting – from Members of the new Minnesota North Star Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association   Joan Oswald of the Miller-Dwan Foundation sat down with Jo Miller, Certified Grant Professional of JM Grants, for a lively conversation about the independent grants profession. Here’s what they had to say.   Joan: Technology is moving so fast. To keep up, what changes have you made, and what are the tools you can’t live without?   Jo: As an independent contractor, mobility, connectivity, collaboration, and anywhere-anytime-access is crucial to my business.  My clients come from all backgrounds. From the small non-profit…read more →

Can I Get a Guarantee that I Will Get the Grant?

Can I Get a Guarantee that I Will Get the Grant?

Why Would an Organization Pay a Grant Writer without an “Award Guarantee”? I’ve been asked this type question many times. Recently, I came across an excellent response by Michael Wells, owner of Grants Northwest. ”What kind of organization would hire a lawyer without assurances they'll win their case?  What kind of person will hire a surgeon without assurances the surgery will be successful?  What kind of person would hire a financial consultant without assurances they'll make money? People and organizations hire professionals on expectations of increasing their odds of success, not guarantees. I think this is true of anything in…read more →

NEW Government System Award Management (SAM)

NEW Government System Award Management (SAM)

Celebrate SAM in July! SAM = 1 Login, 1 Process, & 1 Reporting Location. SAM is sponsored by the Government Services Agency (GSA).  SAM will consolidate numerous grants and contracts databases into one location.  SAM will give users one login site for accessing information and data currently housed on a variety of siloed sites. Beware, this next bits of information are a lot of acronyms and jargon. SAM will merge 9 government data and reporting systems into one system.  Included in this list of systems are several used by grantor agencies and grant applicants/grantees, such as CCR, EPLS, the FFATA (Federal…read more →