The Impact Issue #74: Corporate Funders, In-kind Gifts, and More!

Hello!

Welcome to The Impact! We’ve got a jam-packed issue this week—starting with a mindset shift that could change how you approach corporate partnerships (and actually get corporate funders to say yes).

You’ll also find tech tips for snagging in-kind donations, strategies to turn hesitant boards into fundraising phenoms, and two grant opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Grab an iced coffee, take a deep breath, and dive into the latest tools, trends, and tips shaping the grand world this month.

Let’s get into it!

‍

🚨Federal Funding Update🚨

On August 7th, the White House issued a new Executive Order: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.

You can read all of the details here, but we wanted to give you a quick summary of what this means for nonprofits seeking federal funding:

• Stricter Review Before Grants Go Out: Federal agencies now need a top official to review grants to make sure they clearly support government priorities and are easy to understand.‍
• More Limits on What Grants Can Fund: Grants can’t fund projects that go against current federal values, and preference will go to organizations with lower overhead costs.‍
• New Rules on How Grants Are Managed: Expect more paperwork, tighter rules on spending, and the chance that a grant could be ended early if priorities change.

‍

Pitfalls and Pointers

Corporate partnerships can be game-changers…but only if you approach them the right way.

⚠️ Pitfall: Thinking Like a Grantee, Not a Partner

It’s easy to focus solely on your organization’s needs when reaching out to corporate funders. But here’s the catch: companies aren’t just looking to hand out money. They’re looking to align with causes that reflect their brand values, offer meaningful visibility, and engage their employees.

If your pitch reads like a one-sided ask, you might be missing the mark.

💡Pointer: Lead With Shared Value

Shift your mindset from “here’s what we need” to “here’s how we can help each other”.

• Research the company’s mission, giving priorities, and recent initiatives.
• Highlight how your work aligns with their goals and how a partnership could benefit both parties.
• Offer creative options for employee engagement, branding, or co-hosted events.

Companies want to give, but they also want to grow. Help them do both, and you’ll be much more likely to hear “yes”.

💲Learn more about how to build win-win relationships with corporate funders.

‍

Tech You Should Know

What:

DonationMatch is a streamlined in-kind donation marketplace that connects nonprofits with brands ready to give away products or services—think tickets, event swag, vouchers, and more—all in one convenient platform.

How Grant Writers Can Use It:

• Create a free nonprofit profile and list your upcoming event or project.
• Scan a curated list of matching corporate offers tailored to your needs—no manual outreach required!
• Request donations with a single click for anything from auction items to volunteer incentives.
• Track approvals and logistics through built-in tools. You can download vouchers and social posts to thank donors seamlessly.

Keep in Mind:

• The free plan lets you request up to one donation daily, with up to three approvals per event.
• Premium tiers (from $129/event) remove limits and add perks like event promotion, marketing reviews, and donor network insights.
• Approvals depend on eligibility; verify your 501(c)3 status, event details, and EIN alignment up front to avoid delays.

🎁 Get matched with in-kind gifts for your next event in minutes!

‍

Expert Perspectives

🏆 Sarah Lange, MSW, on Leading Boards That Don’t Love Fundraising

What do you do when your board hates fundraising? If you’re Sarah Lange, nonprofit powerhouse and coach with over 30 years of experience, you don’t avoid the topic—you reframe it.

In her words, “It’s not that your board members don’t want to help…they just don’t know how to help.”

Here’s her expert advice:

• Recast fundraising as storytelling: Most board members are happy to talk about your impact. Help them see that storytelling is fundraising.
• Focus on natural roles: Let extroverts make connections and introverts write thank-you notes or help with outreach strategy.
• Train, don’t just ask: Offer specific guidance and bite-sized tasks to set them up for success and confidence.
• Celebrate their wins: Acknowledge efforts early and often to keep them engaged and motivated.

🤝 Explore more of Sarah’s strategies for board engagement!

‍

The Latest Numbers

Generosity is evolving, but are we paying attention?

A recent study from Giving USA and Neon One reveals some surprising shifts in donor behavior that signal a need to rethink how we measure giving:

• Total giving rose 3.5% in 2024 compared to 2023—yet the number of donors dropped by 4.5% highlighting increased dependence on large gifts.
• Micro-donors (annual gifts of $1-$100) declined by 8.8%, while retention for this group fell by 4.4%—an urgent red flag for grassroots fundraising.
• Small donors ($101- $500) also experienced a 3.6% retention dip.

But it’s not just about dollars—the study underscores the power of participation:

• Multi-year donors contributed 1,519% more over time than one-time givers.
• Event registrants increased support by 2,200% from year one to year five.
• Recurring donors gave 121% more in their first year than one-time donors.

The takeaway? Generosity is broader than gifts; it’s rooted in relationships through things like volunteering, advocacy, memberships, and digital engagement. Shifting the focus from transactions to sustained participation builds a more resilient and inclusive base.

🧠 Explore the full report and implications for your nonprofit now!

‍

Opportunities Spotlight

🔔 Philadelphia Foundation’s Advocacy Unrestricted Grants

Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations in select PA/NJ counties (e.g., Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia; Burlington & Camden in NJ)

Next Deadline: August 19, 2025 (LOI)

Grant Amount: $15,000 - $30,000

The Details:

• Supports economic justice, poverty alleviation, and public policy work
• Can be used for program operations, capacity building, capital, or general operating support
• LOI required before submitting full application

👉 Apply Here!

⭐ Fund for a Just Society Grant

Who It’s For: Nonprofits in the US and Canada focused on social and economic justice

Next Deadline: September 30, 2025

Grant Amount: Up to $15,000

The Details:

• Offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association
• Supports community organizing and systemic change
• Prioritizes grassroots groups addressing structural injustice
• Faith-based groups are welcome but secular nonprofits are also eligible

👉 Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

‍

Networking Nook

💻 Webinar: Writing Grants Is the Easy Part: How Do You Find the RIGHT Ones to Pursue?

Thursday, August 14 | 1:00 p.m. CT

Join Meredith Noble of Learn Grant Writing as she shows you how to use her fave grant database to filter 250+ grants down to the top 10-20 to pursue this year following her signature Funding Strategy process.

You'll learn:

• The three stages of the grant research funnel so you can quickly filter 250+ grants to the top pursuits worth your precious resources
• How to calculate grant competitiveness so you are only focusing on grants with a high likelihood of success
• The top three mistakes we see grant writers make when finding grants
• How AI can and can't help with grant research, plus a live demo combining the best of Instrumentl with Meredith's own "Riley the Researcher" AI CustomGPT

Don’t Miss Out! 

✅ Register Now!

📅 Conference: GPA’s GrantSummit 2025 (in-person and virtual)‍

October 29 - November 1 | Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore, MD

GrantSummit is the Grant Professionals Association’s flagship event, bringing together over 1,300 grant professionals for 70+ sessions on topics such as compliance, equity-focused grantmaking, storytelling, and federal funding trends. It’s also your chance to earn GPC and CFRE credits, explore an exhibit hall full of grant tools, and mark the GPA’s 25th anniversary with peers from across the sector.

Hurry! Early-bird registration is now open!

✅ Register Now!

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

‍

In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: 8 Strategies for Effective Donor Relations for Nonprofits

This practical guide breaks down donor communication best practices—from personalization and gratitude to transparency and long-term engagement. A must-read for anyone looking to boost donor retention in 2025.

👉 Get the Full Story!

📼 Video: MasterClass: AI and ChatGPT for Nonprofit Fundraising

This masterclass, hosted by nonprofit expert Amber Melanie Smith, explores practical uses of AI, helping fundraisers save time and personalize outreach. A game-changer for stepping into 2025’s tech-forward fundraising landscape.

👉 Watch the Master Class!

🎙️ Podcast: The Nonprofit Podcast: Stable Nonprofit Funding - The Smart Approach in 2025

This episode of The Nonprofit Podcast explores how to build more predictable revenue through smart funding strategies. Ideal for organizations tired of the boom-bust cycle and looking for stability in uncertain times.

👉 Listen to the Episode!

‍

Make the Shift: From Pitching to Partnering

Looking to position your nonprofit as a strategic ally to corporate funders?

Join thousands of organizations using Instrumentl to research funders, track proposals, and manage relationships more effectively—all in one place.

🚀 Start your free 14-day trial today!