Hey there, grant pros!
We’re nearly halfway through the year—and if 2025 has made one thing clear, it’s this: the way people are giving is changing fast.
The most successful nonprofits aren’t chasing every grant; they’re getting laser-focused on what works right now. That means leading with impact, going digital first, and leaning into smaller, more consistent gifts.
In this issue of The Impact, we’re breaking down:
✅ Why shifting from activities to outcomes is key to grant success
📱 A digital fundraising tool to modernize your donor experience
📊 Performance indicator advice that will elevate your next proposal
⚡ The fundraising trends shaping 2025 in real-time…and what to do about them
Let’s jump in!
Pitfalls and Pointers
⚠️ Pitfall: Focusing on Outputs Instead of Outcomes
“We hosted 10 workshops.”
“We served 500 meals.”
“We reached 2,000 youth.”
Sound familiar?
These are all outputs—not outcomes. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two:
- Outputs are tangible activities that your organization completes, like workshops held or meals served.
- Outcomes are the measurable change that results from those activities, such as improved health, increased graduation rates, or reduced homelessness.
While outputs are part of your story, they’re not the part that moves funders to action. In an era of impact-driven giving, grantmakers are increasingly focused on measurable change. They don’t just want to know what you did, but what changed because of it.
When grant reports and proposals focus too heavily on program activities, it leaves a gap between effort and impact. That’s a missed opportunity—and in some cases, a reason for a rejection.
💡Pointer: Translate Actions Into Impact—and Lead With Results
To connect with today’s funders, grant professionals need to elevate how they talk about results. Here’s how:
- Start with the outcome, then explain how you got there: Instead of saying, “We ran a mentoring program for 100 teens,” try, “Eighty-five percent of our mentees graduated high school—a 25% increase from baseline—thanks to our peer mentoring model.”
- Use comparative data to show change over time: Example: “Before our intervention, only 60% of families accessed routine healthcare. Six months later, 92% reported having a primary care provider.”
- Map impact to the funder’s goals: Make it clear how your work supports what they care about—whether that’s economic mobility, health equity, education, etc.
- Build a mini outcomes library: Keep a running document of “mini case studies” or pre/post stats so you can incorporate them into LOIs, grant applications, and impact reports.
Remember: numbers don’t inspire on their own—it’s the story those numbers tell that matters.
👉 Explore a roundup of grant outcome examples for more ideas!
Tech You Should Know
What: Donorbox QR Code Fundraising Tool
In today’s digital age, making the donation process as effortless as possible is key. Donorbox’s QR Code Fundraising Tool allows nonprofits to create unique QR codes for each campaign, directing donors straight to mobile-optimized donation pages. This feature is invaluable for events, direct mail campaigns, and in-person engagements, providing a quick and convenient giving option.
How Grant Writers and Fundraisers Can Use It:
- Showcase innovation: Whether in a grant proposal or annual report, highlighting tools like QR codes positions your organization as forward-thinking and donor-savvy.
- Boost in-person and campaign giving: Use campaign-specific QR codes at events, in mailers, or on signage to drive spontaneous donations in real time.
- Track engagement: Monitor scan rates and conversion data to understand what’s working—and use those metrics to refine your strategies or strengthen your next proposal.
Keep in Mind:
- QR codes are only effective when paired with a compelling call-to-action and a streamlined donation page.
- Always test your QR codes before printing or publishing to ensure they link properly and function across devices.
📲 Explore Donorbox’s QR Code Fundraising Tool now!
Expert Perspectives
🏆 Lori Fabian on Writing Performance Indicators That Show Impact
Performance indicators are often the weakest part of a grant proposal—but they don’t have to be. In an Instrumentl workshop, veteran grant consultant Lori Foltz Fabian shared her top strategies for writing performance indicators that are clear, funder-focused, and actually demonstrate impact.
Here’s her expert advice:
- Swap vague goals for real numbers: Instead of saying “increase access,” say “enroll 200 students in after-school STEM programs by December.” The more specific your indicators, the clearer your impact.
- Speak their language: Review the funder’s mission and past giving. Then tailor your indicators to align—whether that means tracking literacy gains, economic mobility, or health equity outcomes.
- Start with SMART: Use the SMART framework to sanity-check your goals. Ask yourself: Is this specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound? If not, revise until it is.
Want to write performance indicators that make your next proposal more fundable?
The Latest Numbers
Top Fundraising Trends Shaping the Philanthropic Landscape Right Now
We’re nearly halfway through the year and the biggest shifts in nonprofit fundraising for 2025 are already well underway. According to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, here’s what is defining giving so far this year:
✅ Impact-Driven Giving: Donors aren’t just giving—they’re demanding results. Sharing clear, measurable outcomes is no longer optional; it’s the expectation.
✅ Digital-First Fundraising: Whether using QR codes, mobile apps, or text-to-give, nonprofits are meeting supporters where they are—online, in real time.
✅ Micro-Donations and Recurring Gifts: Monthly micro-gifts are adding up fast. Recurring donors now form the backbone of sustainable nonprofit revenue.
Nonprofits embracing these trends are already seeing stronger connections, steadier funding, and bigger long-term wins.
📙 Want more? Read the full report!
Opportunities Spotlight
⭐ Doyle Foundation Grants
Who It’s For: US-based nonprofit organizations
Next Deadline: July 1, 2025
Grant Amount: Unspecified
The Details:
- The Doyle Foundation supports nonprofits that improve the quality of life in their communities; past recipients span education, health, animal welfare, and community development.
- Organizations may only apply once per year.
- The Foundation accepts grant applications from January 1 to July 1 every year.
- Award decisions are announced in mid-November.
👷 Dermody Properties Foundation Grant
Who It’s For: US-based nonprofits located within 30 miles of a Dermody Properties project
Next Deadline: August 1, 2025
Grant Amount: $500 - $3,000
The Details:
- Supports nonprofits in education, the arts, and family services
- Prioritizes programs serving children, seniors, and underserved populations
- Open to organizations in regions where Dermody Properties has a presence
- Managed by employees—local impact is key
Ready for more good-fit opportunities?
🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!
Networking Nook
💻 Webinar: How to Maximize the Fastest Growing Revenue Channels for Your Nonprofit
June 5, 2025 | 12:00 PM CT
As nonprofit revenue streams shift, two big players are breaking away from the pack: private foundation grants and donor-advised fund (DAF) giving.
Join Chariot and Instrumentl for a strategy-packed session that breaks down why DAFs and grants are the fastest-growing (and most resilient) revenue streams right now - and how your team can tap into both to fuel your mission.
You’ll walk away with:
- A breakdown of why private funders and DAFs are set to surge in 2025 and how to be ready
- A funder evaluation framework to zero in on high-alignment prospects
- Tools to organize, prioritize, and build relationships with funders that match your mission
- Smart DAF engagement strategies from the leading DAF platform, Chariot
Don’t miss it!
💻 Webinar: Clicks that Count: Digital Acquisition for Nonprofits
June 17, 2025 | 1:00 PM ET
Blakely Fundraising is bringing together digital strategy experts to show you how smart acquisition tactics can elevate your nonprofit’s brand and bottom line. Learn how to integrate awareness-building and lead generation to grow your donor base—all while staying true to your mission!
Hurry - you don’t want to miss out!
📅 Conference: Raise: The Event Fundraising Conference
September 8-9, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
Hosted by OneCause, this two-day conference is a must for nonprofit professionals focused on event-based fundraising. With sessions on donor engagement, event tech, hybrid formats, and more, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to level-up your fundraising events.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best in the biz!
To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📼 Video: How to Use an Agile Framework to Write (and Win) More Grants
Join Certified Grant Professional Diane Leonard in this insightful Instrumentl workshop as she introduces the Scrum framework to streamline your grant writing process. Learn how to enhance efficiency and increase your success rate in securing grants.
📑 Article: 9 Powerful Examples of Nonprofit Storytelling
Tatiana Morand, Content and SEO Manager at Wild Apricot, shares nine impactful nonprofit storytelling examples. Learn how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with donors and drive engagement.
Simplify Your Grant Work
Let’s be honest: managing grants can feel like a second full-time job. But it doesn’t have to.
With Instrumentl, you can skip the spreadsheet chaos and get back to doing what matters most: growing your impact.
Here’s how:
✅ Discover good-fit grant opportunities in minutes
✅ Keep track of every deadline (without post-it notes)
✅ Collaborate with your team all in one place
Thousands of nonprofits are already simplifying their grant strategy with Instrumentl.
👉 Start your free 14-day trial today — no credit card required.
