136: Nonprofit ROI: 5 Tips to Stay Relevant to Funders and Win More Grants - by Teresa Huff
Release Date: 06/07/2023
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
The ROI of Grant Writing
In my recent TEDx Talk, I talked about the Real ROI of Grant Writing. In the business world, ROI means Return on Investment, but it’s a different mindset in the world of grants. We’re talking about a Return on Impact. In today’s podcast episode, I’ll tell you more about the R in the ROI of grant writing and how knowing this can save you frustration and time so you can write more proposals.
What is the ROI Framework?
Funders need to know they will get a Return on Impact for investing in your nonprofit. This means you need to convince the funder that your nonprofit is Relevant, Optimized, and Interacting in meaningful ways.
ROI of Grant Writing:
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Relevant
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Optimized
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Interacting
5 Steps to Evaluate Relevance
One question I wish more nonprofits would consider is, “How do I know if my organization is relevant?” I recommend the following five steps to determine if and how your organization is relevant to the community, the funders, and the grants you are applying for:
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Determine if organization is truly relevant in the community.
Take a critical look at your mission and goals to evaluate if you are serving a real need in the community. Make sure you have the statistics and testimonials to back up your mission statement. If necessary, go back and define your goals more closely.
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Analyze if your organization is relevant to the funder’s mission and goals.
Make sure you are applying to funders whose mission and goals align with yours. There are consequences to both your organization and the funder if you just chase the money.
Now that you’ve determined your organization is relevant in the community, and your mission is relevant to the funders, the next step is to find relevant grants.
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Avoid irrelevant research.
Research can be fun, but there are millions of grants and many ways to search. Don't get lost in the never-ending grant search rabbit trail. You don’t need ALL the grants; you just need to find the good-fit grants.
To read today's full episode: Nonprofit ROI: 5 Tips to Stay Relevant to Funders and Win More Grants
To watch and share my TEDx Talk, The Real ROI of Grant Writing.
Challenge Question:
Do you need to narrow your focus? Are you clear on what that is?
Resources Mentioned:
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Go to MyEasyGrant.com to find, cultivate, and apply to relevant foundations using Easy Grant by Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions.
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Watch and share my TEDx Talk: The Real ROI of Grant Writing
Connect with Teresa Huff:
Website: www.teresahuff.com
Watch the TEDx: The Real ROI of Grant Writing
Take the Quiz: Do you have what it takes to be a grant writer?
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