119: How Can the Subscription Economy Benefit a Nonprofit's Revenue? Interview with Dave Raley, Imago Consulting
Release Date: 01/24/2023
152: Grant Writing Quick Tip: Ask Different Questions by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
In this shorter, experimental format episode of Grant Writing Simplified, Teresa shares insights on the importance of asking different questions to navigate challenges in the nonprofit sector. Drawing from her experiences leading workshops and serving as a sounding board for nonprofit leaders, Teresa encourages listeners to step back from their frustrations and conventional problem-solving approaches. She emphasizes the value of exploring problems more deeply and considering alternatives to the status quo, without necessarily seeking immediate solutions. Teresa challenges...
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151: Empowering Nonprofits: The Fun Side of Grant Writing by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
In this episode, I'm doing something a little different. I was recently invited to be a podcast guest on the Marketer of the Day podcast by Robert Plank and I was happy to do that. It was such a fun conversation. He asked such really good questions that I thought, why not share it here with you as well! We talk about grant writing, nonprofit strategies, and making a lasting impact in communities through grant opportunities. We also address how important it is to build solid relationships with grantmakers to achieve success. I think you're going to love this episode! On this episode:...
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150: Navigating Nonprofit Success with Forensic Accounting: A Dive into Integrity and Innovation with Chris Ekimoff
Grant Writing Simplified
Book a 1:1 strategy call with Teresa Huff: www.teresahuff.com/mentor In this episode of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast, I have a fascinating conversation with Chris Ekimoff, a forensic accountant specializing in litigation consulting and forensic accounting services. Chris discusses the importance of financial vigilance and proactiveness in nonprofits to prevent fraud and financial mismanagement. He emphasizes that it's not about fostering suspicion but about creating awareness and setting up good systems, checks, and balances. We touch upon various topics, including the value of...
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149: Measure what Matters: A Proactive Approach to Nonprofit Success - By Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Book a 1:1 strategy call with Teresa Huff: www.teresahuff.com/mentor The Crucial Role of Data in Non-profit Grant Funding In this episode, I'm diving deep into why data collection and tracking are absolute game-changers for non-profit organizations, especially when it comes to snagging those crucial grant funds. I'm all about getting the full picture, which means not just crunching numbers but also capturing those heartwarming stories that truly showcase our impact. I'll walk you through a handy five-question guide to evaluate your current data practices, because let's face it, we can...
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148: The Power of Pause: 5 Reasons to Call Timeout in Your Nonprofit - by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: As we dive into the hustle of year-end activities, the race to finish strong is on for nonprofit leaders, grant writers, and consultants. In this busy season, we need to recognize that finishing well may mean finishing with rest and recovery. Let's take a cue from coaches and explore the strategic use of timeouts to navigate the challenges and finish the year on a high note. Acknowledge the Chaos: Embrace the Timeout The year-end rush can often feel like a relentless marathon. Acknowledge the chaos, and don't be afraid to embrace a...
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147: Celebrating Three Years of Grant Writing Simplified - by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: Celebrating Three Years of Grant Writing Simplified It’s been three years since I launched the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast, and it’s been an amazing journey. The show has over 100,000 downloads from over 140 countries across six continents. I’ve made friends all over the world and we’ve come together as a community. I’m incredibly grateful for my team’s hard work and dedication in making the show possible. Shifting the Conversations Around Nonprofit Work In the world of grants, we need to think beyond just the money. If you've...
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146: From Ideas to Impact: Unveiling the Key to Successful Grant Funding - by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Interested in hopping on a small group call with me? Sign up at and I’ll keep you in the loop! Unlocking Grant Funding: Moving Beyond Ideas and Building Impactful Programs As summer winds down, I’m seeing renewed energy in the world of fundraising and grants. With this transition, a common question is echoing through conversations—both in my inbox and across online forums. It goes something like this, "I've got an amazing idea. Can I get a grant to fund it?” Or others ask, “Why aren't funders supporting my groundbreaking idea?" Let’s dig into this topic and shed...
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145: The Art of Letting Go: Why Unlearning Is as Important as Learning - by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Interested in hopping on a small group call with me? Sign up at and I’ll keep you in the loop! We Constantly Talk About Learning. But What About Unlearning? We all know lifelong learning matters. I'm constantly encouraging you to pick up new skills, strategies, and ways of thinking to stay sharp and relevant. But here's the thing—sometimes we need to let go of the old to make room for the new. As crucial as learning is, unlearning may be just as vital to our growth and ability to adapt. When We're Stuck, It's Often Because We Need to Unlearn I was thinking about this the other day...
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144: Humanity in the Age of AI: Navigating Authentic Connections for Lasting Impact - by Teresa Huff
Grant Writing Simplified
Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: Revisiting the ROI Journey It's time for a heart-to-heart about a topic that's close to all our missions: authentic interactions in this tech-savvy world. So grab your favorite cup of inspiration, settle in, and let's dive into the final chapter of our ROI journey – the all-important art of Interacting. Remember when we kicked off this ROI conversation? In nonprofit work, grantmakers are looking for a Return on Impact. We broke down the pillars of my ROI Framework: Relevance, Optimize, and Interact. We chatted about being Relevant in Episode...
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143: Formula for Nonprofit Success: Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains: Interview with Derik Timmerman, Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions
Grant Writing Simplified
Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: The Truth About Grant Readiness If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I’m a big advocate for grant readiness, because the more prepared you are before you start, the better chance you have of winning a grant. But I’m also a big believer in taking action. The truth is, grant readiness is a lot like parenting. You need a certain amount of stability, but you’re never really 100% ready. At some point, you have to just start and then learn as you go. My friend Derik Timmerman founded Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions to help nonprofits...
info_outlineJoin me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: www.teresahuff.com/vip
Several months ago I was at a large nonprofit conference in Nashville. While wandering up and down the booths, one caught my eye. They were giving away macaroons…delicious, colorful, many-flavored, handmade macaroons. *Sigh.*
The macaroons worked their magic and I quickly became friends with the two coworkers running the booth. Turns out one of them, Dave Raley, was at another conference just the month before in Milwaukee - and so was I! We were both presenters at that conference, but somehow our paths hadn’t crossed there.
At any rate I’m glad we finally met because, aside from the delightful macaroons, Dave and I have kept in touch and he’s a wonderful person. That’s why I wanted you to meet him too.
Today you get to meet Dave Raley, a consultant who helps organizations take care of their economic engine through innovation, growth, and scaling. Dave points out we should pay attention to important trends in the amount of giving, type of giving, and who does the giving.
Trends
To best make the type of impact you are working towards it is important to review your current situation. First, look inward and review the things you do to produce revenue. Secondly, look outward and pay attention to trends.
Trends are like waves. Just like when you’re trying to catch a wave surfing, you can miss waves by paddling too early or too late. You need to match the speed and be on top of it to be able to ride the wave.
An example of a trend that we’re currently in the middle of is the Subscription Economy.
How to Best Use the Subscription Economy
We’re currently living in a Subscription Economy. Not long ago, a person’s typical monthly payments included the necessities of life like mortgages, car payments, and water bills. Now we subscribe to much more every day. Things like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, softwares, gyms, food - all these point to the subscription economy we live in.
This has transformed the way donors and customers think about recurring transactions. It has normalized the concept of monthly giving and encouraged it through the ease of it all. Consumers and donors see monthly payments as a normal part of life and as a good and doable thing. This helps create predictability for organizations, including nonprofits, since they can have an idea of their monthly incoming revenue.
Say a nonprofit wants to ramp up subscription giving:
- Take stock of what you’ve got. Look at your recurring donors and the long term value. You need to know where you are so you know where you can go.
- Prioritize your monthly giving program. Make it easy to see and use on your website or another type of functional giving platform.
Tips for the Subscription Economy:
- Donors like convenience. Automated giving can help your revenue.
- Don’t limit your goal and therefore limit your plan. Aim high.
- Look at your giving program and how to better use your resources.
Challenge Question:
How can you rethink and maximize the subscription economy we are living in?
Meet Dave Raley:
Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps faith-informed organizations generate profitable growth by developing sustainable innovation. He’s also the co-founder and host of the Purpose & Profit Podcast, a show about the surprising ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.
Connect with Dave Raley:
Resources:
- Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
- Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Dan and Chip Heath
- The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick M Lencioni
Free Audit: How Grant-Ready Is Your Nonprofit?
If you need support in your journey to excellence as a grant writer, I’d like to invite you to join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. Go to teresahuff.com/vip and start learning today.
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Grant Writer? Take the Quiz:
If you’re ready to explore a career in grant writing, take my free quiz, “Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?” People are always surprised at how many skills they already have. The distance isn’t as far as they thought. Let’s figure out how you can use your skills to help change your world.
If you’re ready to step up your nonprofit game, join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer. The world needs you.
Connect with Teresa Huff: