The Impact Issue #54: Diversify Your Funding & Future-proof Your Nonprofit!

Hey there, 

What if one funding shift could throw your entire nonprofit off course? 

Too many organizations rely on just one or two major revenue sources—only to find themselves scrambling when budgets tighten or priorities change. 

This week, we’re exploring how to build a more resilient funding strategy, with expert advice from Mitch Carr on managing grants, plus some insights on the top fundraising trends to watch in 2025. Plus, we’ve got a tech tool that can help you engage donors more effectively and grant opportunities you don’t want to miss!

Let’s future-proof your funding. Welcome to The Impact!

‍

You Don’t Want to Miss This...

From Complexity to Clarity: Mastering Fundable Project Frameworks

You know the drill: your organization runs incredible programs, but when it's time to turn those services into fundable projects, the details get murky.

If you’re one of the rare grant professionals handed a fully baked case for support - lucky you! For the rest, the real challenge lies in pulling vital information from busy service providers and leadership…because no amount of creative writing can fill in the facts.

There has to be an easier way.

Let George Q. Jackson, GPC introduce you to a game-changing solution: the dashboard.

This customizable framework helps grant professionals transform broad services into measurable, fundable initiatives. With your own dashboard, you’ll be able to define project goals, results, and budgets in a way that resonates with grantmakers - while making it easier for your team to measure and report on impact.

In this session, you’ll learn how to…

• Build your own project dashboard using tools you already have
• Develop strong metrics, budgets, and strategy with less hassle
• Build a faster, more efficient case-for-support process customized for your organization

Don’t miss out!

👉 Register Now ➜

‍

Pitfalls and Pointers

⚠️ Pitfall: Relying Too Heavily on a Single Funding Source

Putting all your eggs in one basket can leave your organization vulnerable. If a primary funder pulls back, you could face:

• Sudden Budget Shortfalls: A lost grant or contract can leave critical programs underfunded overnight.
• Limited Financial Flexibility: When one funder dictates most of your budget, your ability to make strategic investments or respond to urgent needs is restricted.
• Increased Organizational Risk: Relying on a few large grants makes long-term planning difficult and puts sustainability at risk.

💡Pointer: Diversify Your Revenue Streams for More Financial Freedom

Expanding funding sources can provide stability and empower your organization to plan for the future. Consider:

• Launching a Membership Program: Memberships create a reliable revenue stream while strengthening community engagement.
• Exploring Social Enterprises: Earned income models, like selling services or products, can supplement traditional fundraising.
• Investing in Fundraising Infrastructure: Dedicated staff, training, and technology can help sustain and grow diversified funding efforts.

Want to explore new funding strategies? 

📍 Check out this report on diversifying nonprofit revenue for more actionable insights!

‍

Tech You Should Know

If you’ve ever struggled to keep up with the constant demand for fresh, engaging nonprofit content, you’re not alone. 

Enter Arbor, an AI-powered platform that turns long videos into compelling, shareable clips, images, and text tailored to each social platform. 

What does this mean for nonprofits? Less time spent editing and more time engaging donors with content that tells your organization’s story authentically.

How Grant Writers and Fundraisers Can Use It:

• Repurpose Existing Content: Turn long interviews, speeches, or events into digestible, shareable social media posts.
• Enhance Donor Engagement: Quickly generate polished content for impact updates, thank-you messages, and fundraising appeals.
• Save Time on Storytelling: Automate content creation while maintaining a consistent brand voice.

Looking to spend less time creating content and more time connecting with donors?

💸 Learn more about Arbor today!

‍

Expert Perspectives

🏆 Mitch Carr on Mastering Grant Management at Scale

Balancing multiple funding streams is the key to long-term sustainability—but managing them all is a whole different challenge. 

For Mitch Carr, Manager of Foundation and Institutional Relations at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, handling 100+ grants at a time is just another day at the office. With a funding mix that includes government, foundation, and corporate grants, the Center relies on airtight grant management to keep its life-changing programs running smoothly.

Mitch’s secret? A strong strategy that ensures compliance while leaving room to pursue new opportunities—without stretching him too thin.

Here’s his expert advice:

• Find a Centralized System: When juggling dozens of grants, outdated spreadsheets and manual tracking methods just don’t cut it. Using a dedicated grant management tool like Instrumentl keeps everything in one place—deadlines, applications, reporting requirements, and funder details—so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Grant writing is a team sport! Keeping finance, program staff, and development teams aligned ensures that funding proposals and reports are accurate, comprehensive, and submitted on time. Strong internal communication also helps identify funding gaps and align applications with strategic priorities.
• Stay Proactive, Not Reactive: Planning ahead is key to avoiding last-minute scrambles. Mitch emphasizes the importance of tracking renewal opportunities early and maintaining consistent communication with funders. Building strong relationships and demonstrating reliability can lead to continued funding and multi-year commitments.

Want to simplify your grant management process?

🏙️ See how Mitch Carr and the L.A. LGBT Center do it with Instrumentl!

‍

Fundraising Inspiration: 3 Trends to Watch in 2025

The fundraising landscape is constantly evolving, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of innovation and deeper donor engagement. According to GiveSmart, nonprofits that embrace hybrid events, donor retention strategies, and AI-driven fundraising tools will have the edge in securing sustainable funding.

Here’s what’s trending:

Hybrid Fundraising Events Are Here to Stay

• In-person galas and virtual giving campaigns are no longer competing—they’re completing each other. 
• Organizations will be expected to host more hybrid fundraising events that blend in-person connections with online accessibility to maximize donor participation. 
• What does this look like in practice? Your organization could host a live auction at a gala while also allowing supporters to bid on items from home in real time.

Doubling Down on Donor Retention

• Retaining donors is more cost-effective than constantly acquiring new ones.
• In 2025, nonprofits must invest more in personalized stewardship, ensuring donors feel valued and engaged year-round. Instead of a generic thank-you email, personalized impact updates, video messages, or even phone calls are ideal.

AI-Powered Fundraising Is Growing

• AI-driven tools are helping nonprofits analyze donor behavior, personalize outreach, and automate fundraising campaigns.
• AI can be used to predict when a donor is most likely to give, to draft customized emails or text appeals, and even to help draft grant proposals. 
• Organizations using AI insights to tailor their messaging and target the right donors will see higher engagement and giving levels. 

Want to future-proof your fundraising strategy?

🚀 Read more about 2025’s biggest trends in the full article from GiveSmart!

‍

Opportunities Spotlight

🏦 Citizens Bank Corporate Giving Program: Workforce Development Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations focused on job training, career education, and career coaching programs that help build the workforce of the future.

Next Deadline: June 1, 2025 (funding notifications in September 2025)

Grant Amount: Not specified; varies based on project scope and impact.

The Details:

• Citizens Bank invests in nonprofits that are creating measurable impact through innovative programs. Their philanthropic priority in Workforce Development aims to fund programs that prepare individuals for successful careers through job training, education, and coaching.
• Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their programs align with Citizens’ focus on building the workforce of the future.

👉 Apply Here!

⚖️ The Joyce Foundation’s Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Program

Who It’s For: Nonprofits, research institutions, and advocacy organizations working on gun violence prevention, justice reform, and violence intervention, focusing on the Great Lakes region.

Next Deadline: Rolling (LOIs accepted year-round; proposals considered in April, July, and December)

Grant Amount: Not specified

The Details:

• Supports projects focused on gun violence prevention, justice system reform, and violence intervention.
• Funds initiatives in policy development, research, pilot programs, and advocacy.
• Prioritizes projects that advance racial equity and systemic change.

👉 Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

‍

Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: AFP Deep Dive: Fundamentals of Fundraising Virtual Course (4-Day Series)‍

Dates: May 6, 8, 13 & 15 | 12:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. ET

This 16-hour program, offered by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), covers essential fundraising topics across seven modules, including developing an integrated fundraising program, marketing for ongoing success, and building donor relationships. It’s designed for individuals with 0-4 years of fundraising experience and costs $419 for AFP members ($529 for non-members).

Don’t miss it!

✅ Register Now!

📅 Conference: The Collaborative by Classy‍

May 14-15, 2025 | Chicago, IL

Hosted by Classy, The Collaborative is a premier conference for nonprofit professionals on fundraising, marketing, and leadership. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, engage in hands-on workshops, and network with peers to discover innovative strategies for driving social impact. The cost is $599 if you register before April 2, 2025.

Lock in your ticket price today!

✅ Register Now!

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

‍

In Case You Missed It

📼 Video: Grant Myths and Urban Legends w/Hisham Ali Bob

Think you know everything about grants? Think again. In this insightful workshop, nonprofit leader Hisham Ali Bob breaks down common grant myths and urban legends—so you can avoid pitfalls and maximize your funding opportunities. 

👉 Watch the Replay!

🎙️ Podcast: From Ideas to Impact: Unveiling the Key to Successful Grant Funding

Why aren’t funders supporting your groundbreaking idea? In this episode of Grant Writing & Funding, expert Teresa Huff shares how to craft compelling grant proposals that attract funding and turn your vision into action.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

‍

Future-Proof Your Funding With Instrumentl

Diversifying your revenue and securing sustainable funding requires the right tools. Instrumentl can help get you there! 

Don’t leave your funding strategy to chance—start discovering new opportunities, streamlining your processes, saving time, and reducing stress today!

✅ Don't wait— start your 14-day free trial!