Hey there,
Welcome to The Impact—your weekly dose of grant writing strategy, inspiration, and opportunities.
If you’re applying to government and foundation grants the same way, it’s time for a reset.
This week’s edition breaks down why tailoring your proposals is non-negotiable—and gives you tools to do it better and faster. We’ve got data on funder behavior, two major grant opportunities for women’s programs, and a spreadsheet tool that will make grant reporting way less painful. Let’s dig in.
Pitfalls and Pointers
When it comes to grant writing, strategy matters just as much as substance. One common misstep? Assuming government and foundation grants follow the same playbook.
⚠️ Pitfall: Using the Sam Strategy for Government and Foundation Grants
Sure, both types of grants support your mission - but how you secure them should be night and day. Government grants are bureaucratic, compliance-heavy, and rigid. Foundation grants? Often more relational, narrative-driven, and open to innovation. Treating both the same can lead to missed expectations - and missed funding.
💡 Pointer: Adapt Your Grantseeking Strategy to the Funder Type
Government grants call for a process grounded in precision: think strict timelines, detailed budgets, and compliance from day one. Foundation grants, on the other hand, benefit from relationship-building, compelling storytelling, and demonstrating values alignment.
Here’s how to adjust:
- Start with the end in mind: Know what success looks like to the funder. Government grants will want metrics and deliverables. Foundations will want values, vision, and mission alignment.
- Map your workflow: Establish separate processes for government versus foundation grants, including designated roles, timelines, and required assets.
- Build relationships where it counts: Foundations may be open to meetings, feedback, or LOIs; government agencies likely won’t be.
Bottom line: The more you customize, the more you connect. And connection is what wins grants.
💡 Learn more in this full guide to Government vs. Foundation Grants!
Tech You Should Know
What:
Coefficient is a no-code tool that integrates your spreadsheets with live data from apps like Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Analytics, and more - turning your everyday sheets into real-time dashboards and reports.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Pull Live Data into Reports: Automatically populate your grant proposals and reports with up-to-date metrics - no copy-pasting required.
- Track and Show Impact: Create dynamic dashboards to monitor key performance indicators, helping you demonstrate measurable outcomes - essential for competitive federal grant applications.
- Streamline Reporting: It’s no secret that government grants demand rigorous reporting. Coefficient helps you simplify data tracking so you’re always ready with accurate, well-presented results.
Keep in Mind:
- It works best for teams already managing data in spreadsheets and using tools like Salesforce or Google Analytics.
- While it’s beginner-friendly, you’ll get the most out of it with a solid grasp on the data you want to present.
📉 Explore Coefficient and see how live data can power up your next application!
Featured Nonprofit
🏆 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Saves hours every week with smarter grant management!
Mission: To enhance lives through learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Laura Clark led a foundation relations team responsible for supporting multiple departments - often without the administrative infrastructure larger institutions rely on.
Their grant management process was heavily manual, involving spreadsheets, scattered files, and lots of back-and-forth. It wasn’t just inefficient—it was costing them valuable time and creating room for error.
After adopting Instrumentl, Laura’s team streamlined their workflows and saw an immediate improvement in clarity and coordination.
Here’s what worked:
- Centralizing grant data cut down on confusion and kept every team member aligned on deadlines and deliverables.
- Automating repetitive tasks like deadline tracking and application prep saved hours every week.
- Improved collaboration tools reduced email overload and made working across departments much easier.
Now, Laura’s team spends less time troubleshooting and more time building funder relationships—and writing stronger proposals.
🤝 See how Instrumentl helped Laura streamline her grant management process!
The Latest Numbers
A recent study from the University of Michigan uncovered something that might change how you approach funder relationships—especially if your work is in science or health.
📍 Nearly 40% of science and health research grants—and 60% of total dollars—went to institutions in the same state as the foundation.
🔁 70% of grantees received repeat funding the following year.
📈 If a funder has supported an institution for seven years, there’s a 90% chance that support continues in year eight.
So what does this mean for you?
- Start local. If your nonprofit works in science or health, your best prospects might be right in your backyard. Prioritize outreach to foundations in your state.
- Think long-term. Foundations tend to stick with organizations they already fund. Focus on building trust, reporting outcomes clearly, and nurturing those relationships over time.
- Don’t treat grants as one-and-done. Every grant is a chance to prove your impact—and tee up your next ask.
📰 See the full findings in The Chronicle of Philanthropy!
Opportunities Spotlight
AAUW Community Action Grant
Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations advancing equity for women and girls
Next Deadline: November 15, 2025
Grant Amount: Up to $10,000
The Details:
This grant supports innovative community-based programs that promote education and equity for women and girls. Projects should demonstrate measurable impact and sustainability. Both one- and two-year grants are available, with funding starting July 1, 2026.
Action for Women’s Health
Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations globally working to improve women’s health
Next Deadline: December 3, 2025
Grant Amount: Between $1 million and $5 million
The Details:
This open call, initiated by Melinda French Gates through Pivotal Ventures, aims to support organizations focusing on women’s health issues, including mental health and menopause. The initiative seeks to fund at least 100 organizations globally, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to women’s health.
🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!
Networking Nook
💻 Webinar: Resilient Fundraising: 10 Things Your CRM Must Do in 2025
Wed, Jun 25, 2025 1:00 PM EDT
Your CRM should be the engine that drives donor relationships, insights, and action.
We're joined by our friends at Virtuous for a strategy-packed session all about how tech can help you fundraise efficiently and resiliently. This session will help nonprofit leaders, development teams, and advancement professionals evaluate whether their CRM is moving them forward... or quietly holding them back.
💻 Webinar: Grant Writing for Nonprofits 101: How to Write a Grant Application that Wins!
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 1:00 PM
This 90-minute webinar hosted by Charity How-To offers a comprehensive introduction to grant writing for nonprofit professionals. Participants will learn how to craft compelling grant proposals, understand the key components of successful proposals, and gain insights into what funders look for. Ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.
Hurry - seats are limited!
📅 Conference: Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference
July 30 - August 1, 2025 | National Harbor, MD
The Bridge Conference is a premier event for nonprofit professionals focusing on marketing, fundraising, and technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in sessions led by industry experts, explore innovative strategies, and network with peers to enhance their organization’s outreach and fundraising efforts.
Hurry!
To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📑 Article: How to Build a Logic Model for Grants
Logic models are essential tools for nonprofits to plan, execute, and evaluate programs effectively. This comprehensive guide from Instrumentl walks you through the steps to create a logic model, helping you align your resources, activities, and desired outcomes to demonstrate impact to funders.
📼 Video: Mastering Podcast Titles and Descriptions - Boost Your Storytelling Reach
Your organization’s message is only as powerful as its ability to reach people. In this video, learn how to write compelling titles and descriptions that boost visibility and engagement - not just for podcasts, but for webinars, campaign videos, and other digital storytelling tools. Perfect for fundraisers and grant writers looking to extend their mission’s reach.
🎙️Podcast: How Multiple Types of Fundraising Will Help Your Nonprofit
Join Teresa Huff as she demystifies the grant writing process in her podcast, “Grant Writing Simplified”. In episode 103, she discusses how multiple types of fundraising can benefit your nonprofit, offering practical tips to diversify your funding streams and increase sustainability.
Ready to Work Smarter, Not Harder?
You’ve got big goals - and too many grants to chase. That’s where Instrumentl comes in. From prospecting to tracking and reporting, our all-in-one platform helps you simplify every single step of the grant process. Stop wasting time and start your 14-day free trial today - no credit card required!
