Nonprofit Management Blog
How to Read an RFP Strategically
Most nonprofits read an RFP like instructions. They skim for eligibility. They check the deadline. They glance at the funding amount. Then they scroll straight to the narrative questions and start outlining responses.
Technically, that works. Strategically, it doesn’t.
Should We Apply? A Capacity-Based Grant Decision Framework for Nonprofits
Grant opportunities create urgency. The deadline is close. The funder looks aligned. The dollar amount would help.
And still, the most important question often gets skipped: do we actually have the capacity to win and manage this well?
Why Your Nonprofit Isn’t Winning Grants
When a nonprofit isn’t winning grants, the internal narrative usually sounds like this:
“Maybe our narrative wasn’t compelling enough.”
“Maybe we need a better grant writer.”
“Maybe we’re just not competitive compared to larger nonprofits.”
Creating Logic Models for Nonprofit Programs
Logic models are one of the most practical tools nonprofits can use to strengthen programs, improve grant readiness, and communicate impact more clearly. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most misunderstood.
In nearly a decade of grant work, I’ve rarely seen funders require formal logic model attachments. Even so, logic models remain one of the most useful internal planning tools nonprofits can use.
Should You Pay a Grant Writer a Percentage of the Grant?
Hiring a grant writer can feel like a big investment, especially when your nonprofit is operating with limited staff capacity and an already-stretched budget. It’s understandable that commission-based or contingency-based payment can sound appealing at first: pay the grant writer only if the funding comes through.
The problem is that grant funding doesn’t work like sales. A strong proposal matters, but grant awards are not won by writing skill alone. Funders also consider their own priorities, organizational readiness, program fit, budget clarity, available funding, geography, timing, competition, and many other factors outside the grant writer’s control.