Times Change, Needs Change: Be Aware of Funding Shifts

As many Boomers and Gen X are probably discovering,

when it comes to career choices and employment,

there are stark generational differences. Not one job or

career path these days lasts forever. And even college

sports have undergone a major shift, (it’s almost Fall

y’all) thanks to the lucrative and literally, game-changing opportunities because of name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, many talented student athletes can take their skills from college to college. Nothing lasts forever. Those powerful three words are true for nonprofit leaders and the governing boards of nonprofit organizations - those charged with securing the funds to support their cause. Leaders leave. Board members leave too - sometimes by choice, others by “gentle” hints or in some cases, others are met with stern nudges or ultimatums.

Challenges for Nonprofits in Rural Communities and Those Led by People of Color

No one grant, funding source, or donor lasts forever. Grant funders make shifts to their

program focus areas by developing short- & long-term strategic plans to address emerging local/regional and national trends. Although their missions remain the same, sometimes funders may choose to use millions of grant dollars in response to unplanned critical needs, such as when COVID-19 crippled communities across the country, funds were dispersed quickly to support various social and economic needs. Those days are dwindling, as a new trend is taking place. In the words of Bob Dylan, from his 1964 classic hit song, “For the times they are a-changing.” This is true in philanthropy. This post delves into a shift underway in the world of philanthropy as featured in a recent article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Understanding Funding Trends in the Grant Writing Landscape

The field of grant writing, like my mom would say, “is more than a notion…” Grant writing

is a specialized field requiring a deep understanding of both the funding landscape and the

specific needs of the individual or nonprofit seeking funds. A successful grant proposal must

clearly articulate the mission, the need for funding, and how the funds will be used. It must

also align with the priorities of the grant-making organization. This sometimes-complex

process requires a combination of strong writing skills, strategic thinking, networking, and

knowledge of the funding environment.

New Challenges Ahead.

One of the most significant hurdles is the lack of knowledge and expertise in grant writing,

which can leave these organizations, and its board charged with securing the needed funds,

makes them susceptible to hiring grant writers who are either unqualified or possess poor

skills. Nonprofit organizations, particularly the small, grassroots ones, must often operate on

tight budgets and rely heavily on grants to fund their programs and initiatives. They can’t

afford to throw money away on people who promote themselves as grant writers yet cannot

produce the results as their background, skill level proclaimed, and experience would show.

For smaller nonprofits, many led by people of color or found in rural communities, the

path to securing these needed funds is fraught with unique challenges. This stark reality was

heightened in me by my most recent consulting work as a grant writer, reviewer, and

nonprofit leadership coach. We must recognize the financial vulnerability facing of our sector, with a growing group of aging leaders; and for emerging leaders, a lack of access to a network of nonprofit resources and grant writing knowledge that adds to the leadership vacuum fueled by the lack of forward thinking and realistic sustainability plans. Nothing and no one last forever. We cannot afford to let “Big Mama” wisdom go by the wayside, just walk out the door.

We must learn from it. We must find ways to share this knowledge and wisdom. It also

underscores why I created Lead Like Big Mama as a learning resource - the teacher in me.

Unfortunately, many nonprofits, particularly those in rural areas or led by people of color,

may lack access to the resources and training needed to develop these skills in-house. This

knowledge gap can lead to several problems, including the hiring of grant writers who do not possess the necessary expertise. Hiring unqualified grant writers can have severe

consequences for nonprofits. I will share more on this next week.

Finally, my friends, thanks to those interested in the August master class series, I need to

postpone it for another time. Life has shifts too…

In the meantime, check out Big Mama’s Playbook featuring new grant opportunities this

week! Feel free to forward this resource with others involved in supporting nonprofits!

Weekly Wisdom, in their own words:

“Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have

encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against

overwhelming odds....”

— Orison Swett Marden (1850 - 1924)