The Impact Issue #53: Is Your Grant Strategy Built To Last?

Hey there!

Winning a grant is one thing; winning consistently is another. If you’re not refining your approach, you could be leaving money on the table. 

In this week’s edition of The Impact, we’re covering:

• How to build a process for continuous learning in grant writing
• The latest data on nonprofit workforce strategies
• New funding opportunities you don’t want to miss
• Plus, a free webinar on AI for nonprofits and expert insights to help you stay ahead

Take a breath, get inspired, and let’s dive in!

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Pitfalls and Pointers

High-performing, grant-winning organizations often exhibit key characteristics that set them apart. Here are some pitfalls to avoid and strategies to embrace based on insights from top-performing organizations.  

⚠️ Pitfall: Neglecting Continuous Improvement

Winning a grant once doesn’t mean you’ll win it again! If your nonprofit isn’t regularly refining its grant writing approach, you could be missing key growth opportunities. 

Ignoring feedback from funders, failing to analyze past application outcomes, and sticking to the same old strategies can lead to stagnation—making it harder to stay competitive in an ever-changing funding landscape.

💡 Pointer: Build a Process for Continuous Learning

Make ongoing learning a core part of your grant strategy by:

• Tracking Outcomes: Grant outcomes are critical indicators of success. Keep a record of what worked (and what didn’t) in past proposals.
• Seeking Feedback: Ask funders for insights, even when you don’t win the grant.
• Investing in Professional Development: Attend grant writing workshops, webinars, or peer learning groups to keep honing your skills.

By treating every grant application as a learning opportunity, your team will stay ahead of the curve and increase your chances of long-term success. 

Want to level up your grant writing skills?

✍️ Check out our free grant writing classes!

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Tech You Should Know

What: Nonprofit Megaphone is a digital marketing agency specializing in helping nonprofits unlock and maximize the Google Ad Grant, which provides up to $10,000 per month in free Google Ads. Their team handles everything from the grant application and compliance to ad creation and ongoing optimization, ensuring nonprofits maximize their online reach. 

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Increase visibility for your nonprofit’s programs, events, and fundraising campaigns
• Drive more traffic to your nonprofit’s donation page
• Reach new supporters by targeting keywords that align with your mission

Keep in Mind:

• Google Ad Grants require ongoing management to maintain eligibility—Nonprofit Megaphone helps with compliance, but nonprofits must stay engaged.
• It’s a great tool for brand awareness, but conversions depend on having strong landing pages and clear calls to action.

👉 See how your nonprofit can benefit from Google Ad Grants today!

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The Latest Numbers

As we progress through 2025, the nonprofit sector faces a dynamic landscape shaped by economic shifts, labor market trends, and evolving philanthropic patterns. A report by Foundation List gives insights to the current environment:

• Economic Growth: The US economy is projected to grow at a rate of 2.1% this year, indicating moderate expansion. While this reflects a slowdown from the rapid recovery of 2023, it remains a positive trajectory compared to the contractions experienced during the pandemic years.
• Job Market Dynamics: Unemployment rates are expected to remain historically low, hovering between 3.5% and 3.7%. This tight labor market presents a dual challenge for nonprofits: competing with the private sector for talent amid rising wages while also leveraging the opportunity to attract individuals seeking purpose-driven careers.
• Philanthropic Outlook: Charitable giving is anticipated to grow by 3.9% in 2025, surpassing historical average growth rates. This increase is primarily driven by individual contributions, underscoring a heightened commitment to nonprofit initiatives and a growing awareness of their vital role in society.
• Political Climate: The evolving political landscape post-2024 elections introduces both opportunities and uncertainties for nonprofits. Changes in government policies and funding priorities may impact various sectors differently, necessitating strategic adaptability from organizations to navigate shifts in support and regulations.

Keeping a pulse on these trends will help nonprofits navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and position themselves for long-term success.

📉 For a deeper dive into the data, explore the full report!

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Opportunities Spotlight

⭐ The Wawa Foundation Financial Grants

Who It’s For: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating within Wawa’s service areas, focusing on health, hunger, or supporting everyday heroes.

Next Deadline: Grant requests over $2,500 are accepted during January, April, July, and October. Local Connection Grants (under $2,500) are considered on an ongoing basis, subject to available funds.

Grant Amount: Over $2,500 for larger grants; up to $2,500 for Local Connection Grants.

The Details: 

• The Wawa Foundation is dedicated to building stronger communities by supporting programs in 3 key areas: health, hunger, and everyday heroes.
• In addition to financial grants, Wawa Community Care offers in-kind support, such as product donations and gift baskets, to assist community and youth organizations.

👉 Apply Here!

⚡ Sparkplug Foundation Grants

Who It’s For: Nonprofits and grassroots organizations working in education, music, and community organizing.

Next Deadline: The Spring 2025 LOI deadline is May 2, 2025. If the LOI is accepted, the deadline for the full application is May 23, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on June 16, 2025.

Grant Amount: $1,000 to $20,000

The Details:

• The Sparkplug Foundation funds innovative and justice-oriented projects that focus on engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving, expanding access to music education, or organizing grassroots movements that promote systemic change.
• Priority is given to early-stage projects that need seed funding or are launching a new initiative within an existing organization.

👉 Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: Getting Started with AI in Teams: Foundations, Ethics, and Practical Prompts

May 7, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. ET

This beginner-friendly workshop led by the Nonprofit Learning Lab is tailored for nonprofit professionals interested in integrating AI into their teams. This session will cover the essentials of AI, focusing on its capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations.

Hurry!

✅ Register Now!

📅 Conference: Nonprofit Storytelling Conference

November 13-15, 2025 | San Diego, California

Discover how to better use storytelling to raise more money! Topics covered at this conference include:

• How to secure gifts from major donors with better storytelling
• How to tell stories that move people to give
• How to make your donor communications stand out

Don’t miss out!

✅ Register Now!

To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: AI for Grant Writing: 20+ ChatGPT Prompts You Can Use

This free ChatGPT prompt guide contains 20+ tested ChatGPT prompts to maximize your grant-writing efficiency, plus tips and best practices for using ChatGPT ethically and responsibly.

👉 Download the Freebie!

🎙️Podcast: Successful Fundraising at Small Nonprofits

This podcast, hosted by Joan Garry Consulting, is aimed at nonprofits that are too small for a development director but are struggling to scale up their fundraising efforts. Guest speaker Pamela Grow, author of Simple Development Systems, also lends her expert insights.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

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Take the Guesswork Out of Grant Funding

Finding the right grant can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack—but it doesn’t have to! 

With Instrumentl, you can discover, track, and manage grants all in one place, giving you more time to focus on what really matters: making an impact.

✅ Start your 14-day free trial today!