Beyond the Narrative
Advanced Strategies for Navigating the Modern Grant Landscape
Download Slide Decks
Book Your Free 90-Minute Strategy Session
As a thank-you to participants in Wayne County Foundation’s Beyond the Narrative training, attendees are invited to book a complimentary 90-minute strategy session with Morgan Carpenter of Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting (a $250 value). This is not a sales call or services pitch — just dedicated time to ask questions, troubleshoot challenges, discuss funding strategy, review ideas, or talk through whatever would be most helpful to your organization. Use code WCF2026 to receive a 100% discount when you book by June 5, 2026 (sessions may take place at a later date).
Activities and Take-Home Tools & Resources
Activities
Take-Home Tools & Resources
Further Reading & Resources
No single workshop can fully explore every idea, strategy, and debate shaping modern grant work.
The resources below include articles, reports, books, and practical tools that informed portions of this training and may help you continue exploring these topics in greater depth. Some are highly practical. Others are intended to challenge assumptions, broaden perspective, or provide additional context for the evolving funding landscape.
Sector Trends
Recent reports and data on grantseeking, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and the broader funding environment.
Funder Relationships & Stewardship
Resources focused on funder communication, cultivation, stewardship, and relationship-building.
Proposal Strategy & Storytelling
For those interested in sharpening narrative, proposal design, funder fit, and communication strategy.
Language, Framing & Trust
Resources exploring how language shapes perception, credibility, and public trust.
Ethics, Risk & Navigating a Shifting Landscape
Additional context on political pressures, public funding uncertainty, organizational risk, and ethical adaptation.
AI & the Future of Grant Work
Resources exploring both the opportunities and limitations of AI in philanthropy, fundraising, and grantmaking.