October 29, 2024
The Impact Issue #33: How Compelling Is Your Need?
Craft compelling needs statements that captivate funders! This issue covers data-backed strategies, expert prospecting tips, and grant opportunities to boost your success.
Hey there!
Whether you can believe it, November is just around the corner—and with it, end-of-year giving!
This week, we’re focusing on how you can captivate funders and donors alike with a compelling statement of need.
Keep reading as we share tips for leveraging and sourcing meaningful data that can take your needs statement to the next level.
Welcome to The Impact!
Pitfalls and Pointers
Struggling to get your grant applications to stand out in a highly-saturated field?
According to Grants Program Manager Toni Blackwelder, the solution is a powerful and compelling statement of need.
But building an emotional connection can only get you so far.
⚠️ Pitfall: Forgetting to Include Data in Your Needs Statement
It’s not enough to tug on the funder’s heartstrings in your statement of need. You also need to back up your claims with data.
Funders want to see facts and specifics in addition to stories. Without concrete data, they’ll question the severity and urgency of the issues you’re aiming to address.
💡 Pointer: Leveraging Data-Driven Insights to Support Your Emotional Appeals
Your needs statement should be well-rounded with emotional appeals that are supported and complemented by concrete numbers.
Here are some ways to leverage data in your statement:
- Use Data to Demonstrate Urgency: What will happen if the need is not addressed? Use data to highlight the severity of the issue and why it needs to be addressed now.
- Use Data to Answer “Why You?”: Why is your nonprofit uniquely positioned to address this need? Use program data to demonstrate your organization’s competency and past successes.
- Use Data to Connect Your Need to the Funder’s Goals: How is this need connected to the funder’s mission? Make sure to thoroughly research funders’ giving preferences and highlight data that directly connects to the issues they are most passionate about solving.
👉 Explore more tips on writing compelling needs statements that stand out to funders!
Tech You Should Know
There are a lot of places out there that you can source data from, but how can you tell if it’s accurate and unbiased? Here’s a good place to start.
What:
The American Community Survey (ACS) Data is a valuable resource that can help you better understand the communities you serve. It provides comprehensive data on population, housing, economic, and social statistics, brought to you by the U.S. Census Bureau.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Identify Community Needs: You can use ACS data to show the realities within specific communities and populations broken down by various characteristics, including demographics, housing information, and more.
- Demonstrate Impact: Highlight how your project will address the identified community issues and lean into projected outcomes and other specifics concerning how you will bring about change.
- Tailor Proposals: Align your proposals with funders’ priorities by using precise, localized data. You can very clearly demonstrate the planned impact you will have using specific information.
Keep in Mind:
- Annual Refreshes: ACS data is updated annually, so ensure you're using the most recent data to make your case. Reports can quickly feel outdated if you’re not referencing the latest insights.
🌟 Learn more about how you can put ACS data to work!
Expert Perspectives
🏆 Matt Hugg & Theresa Huff on Effective Grant Prospecting
Effective grant prospecting can make all the difference in your chances of funding success.
Matt Hugg, founder of Nonprofit.Courses, and Theresa Huff, host of the Grant Writing Simplified podcast, shared with us a few tips to help up your research game.
Here’s their expert advice:
- Follow the CIA Approach: With each funder you come across, ask yourself: Do they have the capacity to make the grant we need? Are they interested in the work we’re doing? Can we get access to them? Only pursue a funder if you can answer “yes” to all three.
- Create an Avatar of Your Ideal Funder: Identify the attributes of good-fit funders for your organization. Make sure to write them down and update them as needed. Once you come across a funder that’s similar, you’ll be able to easily identify them.
- Get Clear on Your Goals: When it comes to prospect research, ask yourself: What can I eliminate? What can I automate? What can I delegate? What do I need to do? This process creates a reverse pyramid where you’re left with the most important tasks. For example, a grants database can streamline the search process, leaving you more time to cultivate relationships.
- Be Prepared: Have everything you need in place so that when the right opportunity comes you can hit the ground running. Be proactive by keeping all necessary documentation accessible and organized.
🔍 For more expert prospecting insights watch the entire webinar here!
Opportunities Spotlight
🐶 Grey Muzzle Grants
Who It’s For: U.S. nonprofits that help senior dogs, including shelters, rescue groups, and dog sanctuaries.
Next Deadline: March 19, 2025
Grant Amount: $2,500-$15,00
The Details: The Grey Muzzle Organization envisions a world where every senior dog thrives, and no old dog dies alone and afraid. To help further that important work, they offer grants to support programs designed to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs.
⭐ Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation Grant
Who It’s For: Nonprofits involved in arts, education, health, and welfare services for children 21 and under.
Next Deadline: Mar 31, 2025
Grant Amount: Up to $10,000
The Details: The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation focuses on improving and transforming the lives of children and young adults living in the United States. They do so by providing them with the necessary tools to succeed and to achieve their full potential.
🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!
Networking Nook
💻 Webinar: Grant Writing Class
Dates and locations vary; virtual options available
Join Grant Writing USA for a crash course on grant writing. They share actionable insights on how to find funding sources, manage grant opportunities, and all you need to write winning proposals. All skill levels are welcome, and they offer various in-person and remote options across the United States!
Don’t miss out!
To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📑 Article: 6 Ways To Find Ideas for Successful Grant Proposals
Whether you are looking to refresh your approach or start all over, explore six strategies to help you develop successful grant proposals. This article will help kickstart the creative process so you can start winning more funding.
🎙️ Podcast: Are You Grant Ready? 4 Ways to Identify Your Grant Readiness Profile ft. Jennifer McKenzie
We all think we’re ready to start applying for grants, but there are steps you can take to help increase your odds of success. Listen to this episode for expert tips on how to assess your nonprofit’s readiness and strategies to improve your grant success rate.
Strong Needs Statements Win More Grants
Your needs statement should be concise, targeted, and impactful.
Instrumentl can help you kick off your research and tailor your statement to make sure it resonates with funders. Our detailed grantmaker profiles give you insight into what funders care about most.
What are you waiting for?
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