Insights from a Funder with Marian Clowes | Nonpofit411 Podcast

In this episode of Nonprofit411, host Sarah Barton speaks with Marian Clowes, Associate Director of the Sisters Health Foundation, to uncover the funder’s perspective on nonprofit grant-seeking and capacity building. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit and foundation work, Marian offers invaluable advice on how nonprofits can strengthen relationships with funders, avoid mission drift, and create impactful projects.

Key insights include the importance of trust-based philanthropy, how to plan projects that align with funders’ priorities, and why nonprofits should focus on capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability. Marian emphasizes the power of collaboration, communication, and intentionality to maximize nonprofit impact while staying true to their mission.

Resources:

• Sisters Health Foundation: www.sistershealthfdn.org
  • Explore grant opportunities and research data on health and community needs in West Virginia and Ohio.
• Candid’s Free Grant-Seeking Resources: www.candid.org
  • Access modules and materials for improving grant-seeking strategies.
• Grant Writing Proposal Guide: Nonprofit411 Grant Guide

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hello and welcome to Nonprofit411, where we dive into resources and strategies that help nonprofits not just survive, but truly thrive.
I'm Sarah Barton, your host and fundraising advocate.
.346938776Each episode, we bring you inspiring conversations with experts in fundraising, sustainability, and best practices to equip you with the tools and confidence you need to make a real impact. 4 00:00:25,157.346938776 --> 00:00:28,67.346938776 Hello, and welcome to the nonprofit 411 podcast. 5 00:00:28,97.346938776 --> 00:00:30,67.346938776 We're excited to have you joining us today. 6 00:00:30,527.346938776 --> 00:00:37,547.346938776 And I'm your host, Sarah Barton, and I'm with Marion Klaus, Associate Director from the Sisters Health Foundation. 7 00:00:37,977.346938776 --> 00:00:38,567.346938776 Welcome. 8 00:00:39,687.345938776 --> 00:00:40,67.346438776 Thank you. 9 00:00:40,67.346438776 --> 00:00:40,707.345938776 Glad to be here. 10 00:00:41,677.346938776 --> 00:00:43,397.346938776 I'm so excited to have you. 11 00:00:43,397.346938776 --> 00:00:52,147.346938776 So, you know, we provide resources to nonprofits and the podcast is an opportunity for experts to share their expertise and you're a unique one. 12 00:00:52,147.346938776 --> 00:00:56,17.345938776 We've never had a foundation, like a funder on before. 13 00:00:56,17.346938776 --> 00:00:58,477.345938776 And so it'll be a nice perspective. 14 00:00:58,477.345938776 --> 00:01:00,327.346938776 So I'm excited about this conversation. 15 00:01:01,617.346938776 --> 00:01:10,842.346938776 So to begin with, let's start with my favorite question, which is what is your favorite hobby? My favorite hobby is that I'm a big scrapbooker. 16 00:01:11,342.346938776 --> 00:01:16,922.346438776 So I have a long time group of friends that we scrapbook together. 17 00:01:16,922.346438776 --> 00:01:19,222.346938776 We go away for weekends to scrapbook together. 18 00:01:19,722.346938776 --> 00:01:26,832.346938775 We're all crafters and we have a lot of fun spending time engaged in our crafting and catching up with each other. 19 00:01:26,832.346938775 --> 00:01:28,442.346938776 So that is my favorite hobby. 20 00:01:28,957.346938775 --> 00:01:41,187.34693878 Oh, that's so exciting to me that I didn't know that we shared that I yeah, I have, I haven't as much recently, but I started as a digital scrapbooker actually. 21 00:01:41,667.34693878 --> 00:01:44,257.34693878 And I did a ton for almost eight years. 22 00:01:44,277.34693878 --> 00:01:55,797.34693878 I was very involved in the digital scrapbooking world online and did a lot of teaching, but I kind of fell in love with paper when I, like, as I started the digital scrapbooking. 23 00:01:56,322.34693878 --> 00:02:03,872.34693878 So I've done some physical digital, physical scrapbooking some, but then I really fell in love with paper crafting. 24 00:02:03,872.34693878 --> 00:02:07,662.34593878 So that's, that's actually my favorite hobby is paper crafting. 25 00:02:07,662.34693878 --> 00:02:11,932.34593878 I do 3d paper art and card making and stuff like that. 26 00:02:12,562.34693878 --> 00:02:12,712.34693878 Right. 27 00:02:12,852.34593878 --> 00:02:13,152.34593878 Neat. 28 00:02:13,182.34593878 --> 00:02:14,952.34693878 Well, we'll have to connect further on that someday. 29 00:02:15,112.34693878 --> 00:02:17,872.34693878 Cause yeah, I'm big into paper crafting also. 30 00:02:18,502.34693878 --> 00:02:19,502.34693878 Oh, that's exciting. 31 00:02:19,552.34693878 --> 00:02:20,642.34693878 I love everything about it. 32 00:02:20,792.34693878 --> 00:02:22,442.34693878 So I really like buying the paper. 33 00:02:22,442.34693878 --> 00:02:23,842.34693878 So I had to figure out how to use it. 34 00:02:27,212.34693878 --> 00:02:35,822.34593878 So can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you got into the nonprofit world and how you got to where you're at now? Sure. 35 00:02:35,972.34593878 --> 00:02:36,312.34593878 Sure. 36 00:02:36,352.34693878 --> 00:02:45,352.34693878 So as, as you mentioned, Sarah, I'm currently the associate director of the sisters health foundation and We are a regional funder. 37 00:02:45,672.34693878 --> 00:02:49,642.34693878 We were created out of the sale, partial sale of St. 38 00:02:49,642.34693878 --> 00:02:51,592.34593878 Joseph's hospital here in Parkersburg. 39 00:02:52,72.34693878 --> 00:02:55,182.34693878 And our mission is all centered around health. 40 00:02:55,462.34693878 --> 00:03:00,232.34593878 So we support health related projects in an 11 County service area. 41 00:03:00,652.34693878 --> 00:03:04,502.34793878 That includes eight counties in West Virginia and three in Southeastern Ohio. 42 00:03:05,62.34793878 --> 00:03:09,212.34793878 Which was the footprint of the hospital when it was in service. 43 00:03:09,212.34793878 --> 00:03:18,162.34793878 So I'm sure I'll talk more about the foundation as we go through the conversation today, but just in terms of my background, I've worked for nonprofits my whole career. 44 00:03:18,662.34793878 --> 00:03:25,342.34893878 I started out in my first nonprofit job working for my alma mater, Penn state university. 45 00:03:25,797.34893878 --> 00:03:33,707.34793878 In development and fundraising several decades ago, and then move from there to a nonprofit museum in Delaware. 46 00:03:34,317.34893878 --> 00:03:45,177.34893878 And then when I came to West Virginia again, a couple of decades ago, I started working for the Parkersburg area community foundation, where I spent about, a little over two decades of my career. 47 00:03:45,697.34893878 --> 00:03:49,747.34893878 And then just two years ago, found myself here at the sisters health foundation. 48 00:03:49,857.34893878 --> 00:03:56,157.34893878 So I've, I've worked for two different foundations and two other kinds of nonprofits over my career. 49 00:03:56,177.34793878 --> 00:04:01,737.34893878 And that's where my heart is in the nonprofit world service to the community. 50 00:04:02,247.34893878 --> 00:04:08,637.39509262 And I've just followed that path through a couple of different Twists and turns along the way. 51 00:04:09,577.39509262 --> 00:04:11,467.39509262 Well, that's exciting to hear all that background. 52 00:04:11,717.39509262 --> 00:04:13,107.39509262 I'm actually from Pennsylvania. 53 00:04:13,117.39509262 --> 00:04:17,17.39509262 So I'm familiar with state college in that area where Penn state is. 54 00:04:17,17.39509262 --> 00:04:20,67.39509262 And I started in higher education also. 55 00:04:20,607.39509262 --> 00:04:24,247.39459262 So that's a really exciting place to start. 56 00:04:24,247.39459262 --> 00:04:24,877.39409262 I feel like. 57 00:04:25,832.39509262 --> 00:04:29,262.39509262 In higher education, you're connected to all sorts of resources. 58 00:04:29,272.39509262 --> 00:04:33,982.39509262 It's, it's really a resource vibrant about, you know, nonprofit. 59 00:04:34,512.39509262 --> 00:04:34,932.39509262 Yeah. 60 00:04:35,22.39509262 --> 00:04:35,362.39509262 Yeah. 61 00:04:35,392.39509262 --> 00:04:39,942.39509262 I mean, when I, when I worked for Penn State, I was in development and it was a massive operation. 62 00:04:40,832.39409262 --> 00:04:49,482.39409262 And I'm sure that's even grown since my days there because those were the, the first times like the university was doing big capital campaigns. 63 00:04:49,492.39409262 --> 00:04:52,382.39409262 They've done many of them subsequently. 64 00:04:52,402.39409262 --> 00:04:52,802.39409262 So. 65 00:04:53,322.39509262 --> 00:04:57,722.39509262 It's it was an exciting environment and I learned a lot when I worked there. 66 00:04:58,492.39509262 --> 00:05:08,872.39509262 Yeah, yeah, I do, I, I did really like that environment, so, and, and you're now doing what I always say I want to do when, eventually in my career, which is giving away the money. 67 00:05:08,892.39409262 --> 00:05:13,522.39509262 I feel like it will be, it would be easier, but I don't know, tell me your perspective on that. 68 00:05:13,542.39509262 --> 00:05:20,427.39509262 Is it easier to give away the money than it is to fundraise the money? It's it's, it's meaningful for sure. 69 00:05:20,477.39509262 --> 00:05:24,47.39509262 And it is, it is a different role than raising the money. 70 00:05:24,87.39509262 --> 00:05:32,297.39509262 And, you know, when I was at the community foundation, that, that funding, that organization is both a fundraising organization and a grant making organization. 71 00:05:32,727.39509262 --> 00:05:36,727.39509262 So, you kind of have both sides of it there, although I was concentrated on the grant making side, but. 72 00:05:37,407.39509262 --> 00:05:43,257.39509262 It it's it seems like it would be easier, but it's really hard to make the decisions about where to allocate the funds. 73 00:05:43,497.39509262 --> 00:05:49,547.39509262 There are so many needs in the community and any foundation or funders resources are limited. 74 00:05:49,957.39509262 --> 00:05:53,767.39509262 So there's a tough decision making process about what to fund and what not to fund. 75 00:05:54,267.39409262 --> 00:05:59,807.39509262 But what the ability to fund things is very meaningful and enjoyable work and. 76 00:06:00,352.39509262 --> 00:06:03,892.39509262 Just the relationship building with grant partners. 77 00:06:03,892.39509262 --> 00:06:15,852.39409262 And that's really a big focus here at the Sisters Health Foundation is building long term relationships with our grant partners so that we can work together to understand their needs and help them meet those needs in the best way possible. 78 00:06:15,852.39509262 --> 00:06:19,42.39509262 So I really enjoy that relationship building piece of things. 79 00:06:19,332.39509262 --> 00:06:21,952.39509262 But the giving away of money is not as easy as it sounds. 80 00:06:22,612.39509262 --> 00:06:24,32.39509262 That's my conclusion on that. 81 00:06:25,377.39509262 --> 00:06:31,7.39509262 Yeah, I mean, I, I understand that, that it is really hard to have to make the hard choices. 82 00:06:31,17.39509262 --> 00:06:32,297.39509262 So, I can see that. 83 00:06:32,827.39409262 --> 00:06:54,177.39509262 So, As a, as a you know, as an organization that gives money, I think that it's really, really helpful for nonprofits to have this perspective from your point of view on how you prefer to learn about their organizations and to build those relationships. 84 00:06:54,527.39509262 --> 00:07:01,772.39509262 What do you like, what's your preferred pathway? We're, you know, we are all about personal contact. 85 00:07:01,822.39509262 --> 00:07:11,172.39509262 We and, and that may be not, that's not always the case with every funder than any organization would approach, but we really want to get to know our grant partners. 86 00:07:11,182.39509262 --> 00:07:14,152.39509262 So we are always open to conversations to visit. 87 00:07:14,717.39509262 --> 00:07:24,647.39509262 To meetings to get to understand what a nonprofit, what kind of work they're trying to do, where they are kind of in their life cycle what needs they may have. 88 00:07:25,107.39509262 --> 00:07:28,577.39509262 So, we're always open to conversation and personal contact. 89 00:07:28,897.39509262 --> 00:07:39,447.39509262 We have a couple of different grant programs where the entry point, we have two different main grant programs where the entry point is a little bit different, and I can touch on that if, if you, if that's helpful at this point. 90 00:07:40,487.39509262 --> 00:07:42,987.39509262 We have two main grant programs. 91 00:07:42,987.39509262 --> 00:08:00,267.39409262 One is called our basic needs direct service grant program, which is our smaller grant program that awards funds to organizations that are working to meet people's basic needs like food, clothing, emergency assistance, utility assistance, those kinds of things. 92 00:08:00,667.39509262 --> 00:08:04,987.39509262 For that process the first, the first touch point really is a conversation. 93 00:08:05,287.39509262 --> 00:08:10,197.39509262 We want to talk directly with those organizations to learn about their needs. 94 00:08:10,777.39509262 --> 00:08:25,227.39509262 And we, in that process, we actually help those organizations write their grant proposal because a lot of the organizations that we're working with in that, in that program are very grassroots, all volunteer driven and may not be as experienced. 95 00:08:25,592.39509262 --> 00:08:29,672.39509262 With grant seeking as some larger, more structured types of organizations. 96 00:08:29,682.39509262 --> 00:08:44,842.39609262 So we are really leaning into what's called trust based philanthropy and trying to make things as easy as possible for those seeking funds to kind of break down the power difference between funders and, and those who receive funding. 97 00:08:44,842.49609262 --> 00:08:45,192.29509262 So. 98 00:08:45,602.39509262 --> 00:08:55,862.39509262 That part that that process of conversation followed by our assistance in preparing a grant application is part of our commitment to trust based philanthropy for our other grant program. 99 00:08:55,862.39509262 --> 00:09:02,552.39409262 Our responsive grant program where we're making some larger grants to address sort of systemic challenges around health. 100 00:09:02,902.39509262 --> 00:09:11,452.39509262 In our priority areas that starts with what's called a letter of inquiry, which is an actually an online form in our grant system. 101 00:09:11,712.39509262 --> 00:09:21,82.39409262 Some people hear letter of inquiry and think they've got to write a letter, but what they do is fill out an online form and that so the entry point there can be that letter of inquiry. 102 00:09:21,282.39509262 --> 00:09:34,972.39509262 But even in that case, if somebody wants to have a conversation before they submit the letter of inquiry to better understand whether what they have in mind is a good fit or, you know, suggestions on how to approach our foundation. 103 00:09:35,162.39509262 --> 00:09:37,402.39509262 We are always open to those kinds of conversations. 104 00:09:37,412.39509262 --> 00:09:39,142.39509262 So we're very outreach oriented. 105 00:09:40,72.39509262 --> 00:09:40,592.39509262 Yeah. 106 00:09:40,732.39509262 --> 00:09:43,522.39509262 Well, I do really appreciate that about your organization. 107 00:09:43,542.39509262 --> 00:09:53,932.39609262 And I think that it's something that I always encourage any organization who's working with any type of funder or who wants to work with a funder, like to do right. 108 00:09:53,942.39609262 --> 00:10:02,62.39609262 To have, to start with the conversation and see if you're aligned because Requesting funds is not just about getting money. 109 00:10:02,92.39609262 --> 00:10:12,722.39609262 It's really about trying to build a relationship and working towards some larger common good, right? Right, but you know, it's about mutual interest and partnership. 110 00:10:12,742.39609262 --> 00:10:19,682.39609262 And fortunately in this community, most funders are very open, if not all, are pretty open to conversation. 111 00:10:20,72.39609262 --> 00:10:23,192.39609262 So, and sometimes we have those conversations together. 112 00:10:23,537.39609262 --> 00:10:32,827.39609262 If we know that an organization might be approaching several local funders for the same project, a lot of times we'll reach out to each other and say, Hey, there's this project. 113 00:10:32,827.39609262 --> 00:10:37,917.39559262 I think the nonprofit would like to approach several of us or is interested in approaching several of us. 114 00:10:37,917.39559262 --> 00:10:39,687.39609262 And we'll have that conversation together. 115 00:10:40,7.39609262 --> 00:10:46,127.39609262 Again, trying to save the organization time from having to go to each funder to talk and to get feedback. 116 00:10:46,277.39609262 --> 00:10:49,827.39609262 If we can do it all together at the same time, you know, we always enjoy doing that. 117 00:10:50,192.39609262 --> 00:10:55,332.39609262 But yeah, I think your advice is, is right on target, Sarah, is try to make a connection and build a relationship. 118 00:10:55,492.39609262 --> 00:10:57,892.39609262 Funders are people just like, just like everybody else. 119 00:10:57,892.39609262 --> 00:11:01,262.39609262 And it's, it's about making that connection and building that relationship. 120 00:11:01,902.39609262 --> 00:11:02,232.39609262 Yeah. 121 00:11:02,572.39609262 --> 00:11:02,922.39609262 Yeah. 122 00:11:03,122.39609262 --> 00:11:03,942.39609262 I love that. 123 00:11:04,392.39509262 --> 00:11:26,257.39509262 So in York, like you've kind of talked here about the relationship, what, or what are some of the things that you've seen in your time since you've spent, you know, Over two decades in a position of, you know, being a funder, what are some of the maybe biggest mistakes that you see? Yeah. 124 00:11:26,257.39509262 --> 00:11:28,597.39509262 And you broke up a little bit at the beginning, but I caught the end. 125 00:11:28,717.39509262 --> 00:11:28,987.39509262 Okay. 126 00:11:28,987.49509262 --> 00:11:35,637.39559262 So you're asking about things that, that might lead to a funder deciding not to fund a proposal. 127 00:11:35,637.39559262 --> 00:11:37,397.39409262 So some, some mistakes along the way. 128 00:11:37,807.39409262 --> 00:11:45,727.29409262 I think the first key thing is to really understand the funders guidelines and priorities and giving capacity. 129 00:11:46,207.29509262 --> 00:11:50,37.29509262 So I think that's like, do your homework is how I talk about it. 130 00:11:50,387.29509262 --> 00:11:53,857.29509262 You have to really dig in visit the funders website. 131 00:11:54,347.29509262 --> 00:11:59,717.29509262 Understand what types of things they typically fund and the types of things they typically do not fund. 132 00:11:59,937.29509262 --> 00:12:01,497.29509262 That's sometimes just as important. 133 00:12:01,757.29509262 --> 00:12:05,547.29509262 Understand the geographic area that the funder is focused on. 134 00:12:05,827.29509262 --> 00:12:07,37.29409262 That's super important too. 135 00:12:07,37.29509262 --> 00:12:13,177.29509262 You can have a project that's really aligned with the funder's interest, but it's not within the geographic area that they serve. 136 00:12:13,647.29509262 --> 00:12:33,362.29509262 So I think the first, the, I guess the key thing is to do your homework and If you don't do your homework, I think you might not efficiently use your time because you wanna target the funders that where the fit is best, the bullseye, right? Where because it takes the, these things do take time to build a relationship with the funder to submit an application. 137 00:12:33,742.29509262 --> 00:12:37,882.29509262 So you wanna target that, where the, the, it looks like the most likely fit. 138 00:12:37,972.29509262 --> 00:12:41,892.29509262 So that would be one mistake I would see is not doing your homework before. 139 00:12:42,887.29509262 --> 00:12:56,517.29509262 And you should do that before you do that outreach because even though an outreach call or a visit or a meeting can provide more insight, you want to know before you call that you're at least in the ballpark of what that funder might be interested in. 140 00:12:57,97.29509262 --> 00:13:05,977.29509262 So, that would be 1 I, I always talk, I talk a lot about the budget for a grant especially if it's a project or a capital need or equipment. 141 00:13:06,422.29509262 --> 00:13:11,472.29509262 I think budgets can be a red flag if they're not well prepared. 142 00:13:11,862.29509262 --> 00:13:21,842.29509262 I think a lot of funders kind of go to the budget first and really want to see a well thought out budget that's well researched and makes sense and seems realistic. 143 00:13:22,392.29509262 --> 00:13:29,552.29509262 And so I think not, not spending enough time on the budget can be a mistake that some organizations make. 144 00:13:29,982.29509262 --> 00:13:42,792.29409262 And I think that funders often, you know, see that and then that raises questions about the project in general about feasibility or preparedness of the organization to implement what it is that they would like to do. 145 00:13:43,232.29509262 --> 00:13:46,882.29709262 So the budget, so, you know, not doing your homework and understanding. 146 00:13:47,962.29709262 --> 00:13:48,692.29709262 Priorities. 147 00:13:49,212.29709262 --> 00:13:56,402.29709262 I think in, in terms of application preparation, like not giving yourself enough time, I see. 148 00:13:56,702.29709262 --> 00:13:58,922.29709262 And I think I know it's a challenge. 149 00:13:59,232.29709262 --> 00:14:04,532.29609262 I it's a challenge for nonprofits because they have so many things on their plate. 150 00:14:04,782.29609262 --> 00:14:08,352.29609262 And this week they need to do A, B, and C and next week it's D, E, and F. 151 00:14:08,352.39609262 --> 00:14:16,162.29609262 And, and so they, it might seem like on the funders end that, that nonprofits are waiting to the last minute to apply. 152 00:14:16,732.29609262 --> 00:14:23,482.29609262 But that's probably because they had 10 to 15 to 20 other things they had to do in the weeks preceding our particular application deadline. 153 00:14:23,792.29609262 --> 00:14:37,722.29509262 But that being said, I think if you can be a little bit ahead of deadlines, I think there's a lot of benefit in that because I think it gives you more time to think through your project and prepare the application more effectively. 154 00:14:38,132.29509262 --> 00:14:44,512.29609262 If the funder has questions, it gives more time for maybe some back and forth before the actual application deadline date. 155 00:14:45,87.29609262 --> 00:14:57,537.29609262 And, you know, I always tell folks that if, you know, if you wait till the very last day and there's a power outage or something goes wrong like that then you're, you know, you're in a really difficult position. 156 00:14:58,37.29609262 --> 00:15:09,447.29609262 And I know the other thing I tell funder to tell applicants is that, you know, we often now, and I think a lot of funders have application deadlines that go till midnight because that's, you know, way our online systems work. 157 00:15:09,927.29609262 --> 00:15:12,887.29609262 You know, why set it at 5 PM, for example, just set it at midnight. 158 00:15:13,392.29609262 --> 00:15:17,642.29609262 But nobody's going to be sitting here in our office at 11 p. 159 00:15:17,642.29609262 --> 00:15:17,922.29609262 m. 160 00:15:17,942.29609262 --> 00:15:19,412.29609262 if you have a last minute question. 161 00:15:19,882.29609262 --> 00:15:26,672.29509262 So, or if you start getting into it and realize there's a piece of information that you need that you have to get from somebody else and that person's not available. 162 00:15:26,682.29509262 --> 00:15:40,232.29609262 So, so plan ahead if you can, because I think it just makes, it takes a little of the stress off of it and will just make an easier path for you to, to for the, the applicant to get their request in, in a timely and well prepared way. 163 00:15:41,47.29609262 --> 00:15:41,497.29609262 Yeah. 164 00:15:41,507.29609262 --> 00:15:48,837.29609262 So one of the pieces of advice that I give organizations is that actually plan your project before you look for the funder. 165 00:15:49,37.29609262 --> 00:15:58,357.29609262 So, you know, because if it's something that your organization really wants to move towards, then it's something that you should invest energy in planning. 166 00:15:58,377.29609262 --> 00:16:02,587.29609262 And so I feel like I've seen a couple of different models. 167 00:16:02,587.29609262 --> 00:16:04,457.29609262 I've seen some people who create. 168 00:16:05,112.29609262 --> 00:16:07,642.29609262 The project because there's a grant opportunity. 169 00:16:08,52.29609262 --> 00:16:22,132.29609262 And then I've seen others where like, this is just part of their plan and they're being really intentional and they need funding for it, right? They also need funding for this part of their, and I think that the process is very different. 170 00:16:22,472.29609262 --> 00:16:33,42.29509262 And in terms of waiting till the last minute, if you're using a project that you've planned, it's so much easier to answer the questions, right? Absolutely. 171 00:16:33,267.29609262 --> 00:16:46,467.2950926 Yeah, I've done training exactly along those lines there of like, it's, it's, it's not just about the proposal, right? It's about the project that you've planned ahead of time and also about the organization being ready. 172 00:16:46,487.2960926 --> 00:16:48,647.2960926 Like, like, I kind of do the base of the pyramid. 173 00:16:48,647.2960926 --> 00:16:50,827.2950926 Like, the first thing is the organization needs to be ready. 174 00:16:51,162.2960926 --> 00:17:05,792.2950926 So there's some in house things that need to be addressed, like board engagement or the financial management process or the organization's finances, like those things, you need a solid foundation there 1st, and then you look at the project that you want to do. 175 00:17:06,242.2960926 --> 00:17:13,702.2970926 And that should come before you even think about who to go to for funding, because it's about the project, right? Or the need. 176 00:17:14,192.2970926 --> 00:17:31,542.2965926 That you're trying to address, and if you have a well thought out, well planned, well researched project, then when you go to find funding, or you go to write the proposal, it's a, it's a much easier path because you should already have most of that together because so I, I completely agree with you on that. 177 00:17:31,542.2965926 --> 00:17:34,782.2970926 And I think, you brought up kind of a risky thing. 178 00:17:34,782.2970926 --> 00:17:42,162.2970926 I think that nonprofits do, which is kind of chasing funding that can that can possibly divert them from their mission. 179 00:17:42,592.2970926 --> 00:17:43,782.2965926 They see a funder out. 180 00:17:43,782.2965926 --> 00:17:47,202.2970926 There's announced a grant opportunity for something. 181 00:17:47,202.2970926 --> 00:17:48,942.2970926 That's not exactly what they do, but they think. 182 00:17:49,307.2970926 --> 00:17:52,97.2970926 Well, we could do that to get that funding. 183 00:17:52,107.2970926 --> 00:17:54,577.2970926 And then suddenly you're in this mission drift place. 184 00:17:54,967.2970926 --> 00:17:59,77.2970926 And then also, you know, funders want to know how you're going to sustain things. 185 00:17:59,77.2970926 --> 00:18:03,607.2960926 And if your mission drifting, it can be even harder to sustain that project. 186 00:18:04,67.2970926 --> 00:18:07,667.2970926 And so then you started something that you got funding for, but can't carry through. 187 00:18:08,107.2970926 --> 00:18:09,487.1970926 And it's just, it's just. 188 00:18:09,487.3970926 --> 00:18:14,777.2970926 Yeah, the funding sources shouldn't derive what the organization wants to do. 189 00:18:14,787.2970926 --> 00:18:20,447.2970926 The organization should decide what it wants to do, make those plans, and then find the funding sources that fit that. 190 00:18:21,17.2960926 --> 00:18:24,317.2970926 So yeah, that's, I talk about that quite a bit as also. 191 00:18:24,977.2970926 --> 00:18:29,617.2960926 I'm glad, I'm glad that we're aligned on that because I, I do really feel strongly about that. 192 00:18:29,617.2970926 --> 00:18:37,382.2970926 It's definitely, you know, before I ever get into the grant, When we're, I'm doing grant writing before I ever get into the writing part, we're developing the project. 193 00:18:38,52.2970926 --> 00:18:38,902.2970926 Absolutely. 194 00:18:38,992.2970926 --> 00:18:39,472.2970926 Yeah. 195 00:18:39,862.2970926 --> 00:18:50,402.2960926 Yeah, you should have a whole timeline and plans and who's going to do what and the budget that, that should all come ahead, not be put together after you find a, you know, funding source and think, oh, well, we could do this. 196 00:18:50,832.2970926 --> 00:18:54,497.1980926 So decide what you're going to do, then find the funding, potential funding. 197 00:18:55,227.2980926 --> 00:19:03,147.2980926 I think along with that, when an organization does it in that way the outcome is so much more dynamic. 198 00:19:03,157.2970926 --> 00:19:11,717.2980926 It really is really beautiful on the other end because they have created what they visioned for their organization. 199 00:19:11,737.2980926 --> 00:19:15,477.3000926 And so, so they're able to do more and reach further. 200 00:19:15,607.3000926 --> 00:19:16,907.3000926 And it's really, it really is. 201 00:19:17,227.3000926 --> 00:19:17,927.3000926 impactful. 202 00:19:17,937.3000926 --> 00:19:20,907.3000926 So yeah, yeah, I'm with you 100%. 203 00:19:21,117.3000926 --> 00:19:21,367.3000926 Yeah. 204 00:19:22,737.3000926 --> 00:19:23,607.3000926 I have a question. 205 00:19:23,617.3000926 --> 00:19:27,47.3000926 So I get asked all the time about capacity grants. 206 00:19:27,867.3000926 --> 00:19:46,757.2990926 And I don't know if you guys, you know, if you guys provide capacity grants or not, but what recommendations do you have to an organization who needs to build capacity? How would you recommend they go about developing capacity projects? We, we do provide capacity building grants. 207 00:19:47,162.3000926 --> 00:19:56,192.2990926 But interestingly, if you look at all the grant types that we support, the fewest number of requests come in around capacity building and it's interesting to me. 208 00:19:56,192.3000926 --> 00:20:02,942.3000926 And it's something I think that we think about, you know, how we try to promote the availability of capacity building grants. 209 00:20:03,432.3000926 --> 00:20:03,902.3000926 But. 210 00:20:04,402.3000926 --> 00:20:10,22.3000926 I think that nonprofits just generally under invest in capacity building. 211 00:20:10,422.3000926 --> 00:20:15,502.3000926 So it's just not what they're thinking about in terms of applying for grants. 212 00:20:15,502.3000926 --> 00:20:19,402.3000926 They're thinking about the equipment need or the new program that they want to initiate. 213 00:20:19,912.3000926 --> 00:20:45,692.3005926 I will say we are doing more we've always done operating grants and we're doing more operating or flexible funding grants, which, which are capacity building also, even though we're not calling it calling it exactly capacity building, but that kind of flexible funding does give an organization the opportunity to kind of shore up its internal work or, or pivot and target funds where they're needed throughout the year. 214 00:20:45,692.3005926 --> 00:20:45,752.3000926 Thank you. 215 00:20:46,267.3010926 --> 00:21:00,237.3010926 But, like, true capacity building requests, we get so few of those, and I think it's something worth maybe exploring or talking about why, why that is, because we are open to that and welcome that but we don't, don't see it. 216 00:21:00,247.3010926 --> 00:21:04,732.3010926 Do you have any thoughts about why don't apply for capacity building? I do. 217 00:21:04,732.3010926 --> 00:21:16,112.3010926 I actually think they don't understand how to create a capacity project, like how to create a capacity project, right? They know they need more help, but they don't know. 218 00:21:16,532.3000926 --> 00:21:22,162.2020926 They, they, I feel like when they're approaching foundations, they're not sure how to see. 219 00:21:22,532.3020926 --> 00:21:27,532.3020926 how to demonstrate the impact of that additional support. 220 00:21:27,562.3020926 --> 00:21:43,202.3020926 And, you know, and I, I tell organizations, the two examples that I give are if you don't have a full time executive director, you know, what would having that full time executive director transform for you? That's one of the questions that I ask a lot. 221 00:21:43,212.3020926 --> 00:21:53,972.3010926 Like how would that transform you? Because then they can start to see like metrics that they might be able to provide the funder and help them understand like how valuable that would be. 222 00:21:54,282.3020926 --> 00:21:56,222.3020926 Because I really think that's the challenge. 223 00:21:56,232.3010926 --> 00:22:22,77.3010926 I was, as I was building one of my courses, I really intentionally gave examples I gave a project example and then I gave a capacity grant example and in the capacity when we were expanding employees, you know, so that they could see like, this is how we would say, you know, that this is going to transform us because we can offer our programming more efficiently when we have, you know, when we build capacity. 224 00:22:22,257.3010926 --> 00:22:25,777.3010926 And then the other example I always give is, Equipment. 225 00:22:26,757.3010926 --> 00:22:30,557.3010926 I have been in so many organizations where. 226 00:22:30,632.4010926 --> 00:22:40,132.3010926 The inefficiencies because of really, really poor technological equipment really impedes a person's success. 227 00:22:40,242.3010926 --> 00:22:46,112.3010926 You know, if we're paying let's say if we're paying an accountant 40, 000 a year. 228 00:22:46,592.3010926 --> 00:22:56,672.3010926 And it takes 10 minutes for their computer to start up, and it takes 40 to 50 seconds each time they need to shift between software or something. 229 00:22:56,962.3010926 --> 00:23:01,712.3010926 If you start to add up that amount of time, it's really, really impactful. 230 00:23:02,152.3010926 --> 00:23:11,492.3010926 And the amount of you know, of the investment in their time, amount wasted, is a way to calculate, like, what you could gain, you know. 231 00:23:11,892.3010926 --> 00:23:12,242.3010926 Okay. 232 00:23:13,457.3010926 --> 00:23:39,302.3000926 Don't you think that ties in a bit, though, to like public perception of what nonprofits need or should have? And, you know, I've encountered this in my career is like, is that, you know, people think, oh, no, it should be good enough for nonprofits to have the cast off laptops from some local company that, you know, they don't think they're, you know, In good enough shape for them to keep them, but it's okay that that's what the nonprofit should get. 233 00:23:39,302.3000926 --> 00:23:44,332.2980926 It's the castaways and the things that aren't as up to date or current. 234 00:23:44,372.2990926 --> 00:23:53,182.2990926 And I think that there's just a misperception there that I mean, nonprofits, their businesses, like, like other businesses and the work. 235 00:23:53,492.2990926 --> 00:24:15,42.2000926 Underinvestment and equipment or staffing you know, leads to less ability to deliver services, less efficiency in the work, possibly more cost over time to deal with problematic whether it's equipment or facilities or you know, whatever it is, but so I think there's, there's that. 236 00:24:15,52.2000926 --> 00:24:18,822.2000926 So, yes, I, you know, think that it's important for nonprofits to be well equipped and. 237 00:24:19,932.2000926 --> 00:24:25,232.2000926 in good physical spaces and have those kinds of resources that they need. 238 00:24:25,512.2000926 --> 00:24:28,612.2000926 I think the staffing question is a challenging one for funders. 239 00:24:29,12.2000926 --> 00:24:30,552.2000926 And here's why, I'll tell you why. 240 00:24:32,2.2000926 --> 00:24:36,392.2000926 And we do fund, we fund staffing positions and sometimes new staffing positions. 241 00:24:36,722.2000926 --> 00:24:43,302.2000926 But the big question that always comes up is how are you going to fund it after our grant is over? And it's hard. 242 00:24:43,322.2000926 --> 00:24:45,52.2000926 The answer to that is not easy. 243 00:24:45,422.2000926 --> 00:24:49,422.1990926 And because the answer to that is not easy, then that makes funders hesitant about. 244 00:24:50,732.2000926 --> 00:25:01,962.1990926 You know, providing funding where the funding may not continue if if you can't see a good plan for where revenue will come long term because most funders aren't going to find a staff position year in and year out. 245 00:25:02,402.2000926 --> 00:25:10,542.2000926 Continually, they might help get that started, but then there has to be some other business model plan for where that revenue is going to come from. 246 00:25:10,542.2000926 --> 00:25:12,752.2000926 So I think that's the tricky thing. 247 00:25:12,772.2000926 --> 00:25:14,752.1990926 And I, because I think you're completely right. 248 00:25:15,2.1990926 --> 00:25:22,552.2000926 The capacity of some organizations would expand greatly if they had a paid executive director or additional paid staff. 249 00:25:23,422.2000926 --> 00:25:26,272.2000926 But the challenge is how you're going to keep that going. 250 00:25:26,302.2000926 --> 00:25:32,582.1990926 And that's why some funders I think pull back and say, I'm not sure I want to fund that because I'm not sure how they're going to keep it going. 251 00:25:33,262.2000926 --> 00:25:33,782.2000926 Yeah. 252 00:25:34,22.2000926 --> 00:25:40,722.1995926 Well, I think fundraising positions are a really good investment that a lot of organizations don't invest in at all. 253 00:25:40,722.1995926 --> 00:25:46,712.1990926 You know, even if you there are a lot of fractional options now for funder, you know, for fundraisers so that. 254 00:25:47,417.1990926 --> 00:25:59,517.1980926 You like almost on a consultant basis, you would have a fundraiser working for your organization and then, you know, the income that they would bring in could help continue the capacity growth. 255 00:25:59,527.1990926 --> 00:26:03,397.1980926 So that's, you know, it's a model for that, but yeah, I think, I think you're right. 256 00:26:03,447.1990926 --> 00:26:05,637.0990926 That's why I, that's why. 257 00:26:05,807.1990926 --> 00:26:09,547.1990926 In my organization grants are part of a funding strategy. 258 00:26:09,557.1990926 --> 00:26:11,297.1990926 You have to have a strategy. 259 00:26:11,657.1990926 --> 00:26:22,367.1990926 And I think as I've worked with organizations, one of the challenges that I've found is that they actually don't have a lot of foundational systems in place for fundraising. 260 00:26:22,387.1990926 --> 00:26:46,157.1990926 And this is where I, I'm very grateful for the work that I did at the university because in a university you have Or we had in the university that I worked at a really diverse fundraising department, right? We had a development office and we had individuals that worked with major fund, major donors, and we had the planned giving option. 261 00:26:46,387.1980926 --> 00:26:48,267.1990926 We had an annual fund. 262 00:26:48,597.1990926 --> 00:26:57,607.1980926 We had an alumni fund also, which was separate from the annual fund, you know, so you, you get schooled in a lot of different types of fundraising. 263 00:26:58,137.1990926 --> 00:27:02,117.1990926 But there are systems in place to help with that. 264 00:27:02,137.1990926 --> 00:27:13,117.1980926 And that's an area that's a capacity area that I think many small, especially smaller, newer nonprofits, but I've experienced it in small to medium nonprofits. 265 00:27:13,567.1990926 --> 00:27:19,607.1990926 who have really been around for a long time, you know, they may not have a donor management system. 266 00:27:19,707.1990926 --> 00:27:28,417.1980926 And without, yeah, without a system, it's really difficult to make sure you're communicating regularly and you're making sure that you're maintaining that relationship. 267 00:27:29,157.1990926 --> 00:27:34,597.1990926 And that you're asking for funds because, you know, a donor can't figure out how to give you money. 268 00:27:34,617.1990926 --> 00:27:35,467.1990926 They're not going to do that. 269 00:27:35,477.1990926 --> 00:27:39,477.1990926 They probably could, but they're not going to, not likely going to. 270 00:27:39,477.2990926 --> 00:27:41,247.0990926 Yeah. 271 00:27:41,247.1990926 --> 00:27:55,997.1990926 So you have to actually have a strategy for how you're going to communicate to them, how they can support your mission, you know? And so I think those are key foundational things of fundraising that a lot of nonprofits. 272 00:27:56,152.1990926 --> 00:27:57,482.1990926 I don't know. 273 00:27:57,502.1990926 --> 00:28:01,622.1990926 And there's not an easy route for learning. 274 00:28:01,632.1990926 --> 00:28:12,362.1975926 It's, it's literally why I've found in my organization because I want to be able to provide those foundational lessons on just, this is, these are systems that are just normal. 275 00:28:12,362.1975926 --> 00:28:15,892.1980926 You just got to have these in place and how to use them. 276 00:28:16,642.1980926 --> 00:28:17,32.1980926 Yeah. 277 00:28:17,867.1980926 --> 00:28:33,667.1970926 I mean, I think that that I think individual fundraising from individuals feels intimidating to a lot of nonprofits and so they rely mostly on grants and maybe events, although I think there is, you know, some. 278 00:28:34,612.1980926 --> 00:28:48,602.1980926 Growing realization that special events maybe aren't as profit favorable as they may seem, because if you calculate all the time and effort putting into planning the event, it may not be as profitable as you think. 279 00:28:48,952.1980926 --> 00:29:00,232.1970926 But I, I, they're really, I don't think there's that many nonprofits in our region or our communities that are, are well versed or feel comfortable or, or. 280 00:29:00,867.1970926 --> 00:29:03,787.1970926 bringing a lot of funding in from individual donors. 281 00:29:04,387.1970926 --> 00:29:06,727.1970926 And so that is a, that is a real gap. 282 00:29:06,747.1970926 --> 00:29:13,667.1970926 And, you know, when you look at giving nationally, you know, where it was, where do most charitable gifts come from, from individual individuals. 283 00:29:15,217.1960926 --> 00:29:17,737.1970926 So that's, that's a big challenge. 284 00:29:17,767.1970926 --> 00:29:27,837.1980926 And so I I'm glad you're working on that gap because I think it isn't, is not a comfort place for most nonprofits and because most of them don't have fundraising staff, like you said, too. 285 00:29:27,917.1970926 --> 00:29:41,297.1970926 It might be the executive director wearing many hats or somebody else in the organization wearing many hats and those are skills that you can develop and become more comfortable with, but you need to take the time and and put the focus on on doing that. 286 00:29:41,827.1970926 --> 00:29:49,207.1970926 And in some ways, maybe it just seems easier to seek grants then building those individual donor relationships. 287 00:29:49,487.1970926 --> 00:29:56,27.1970926 But in the long term, the individual donor relationships might provide more ongoing regular support. 288 00:29:56,407.1970926 --> 00:30:04,87.1970926 Then grants, which sometimes can come and go, depending on the changing interests and priorities of the funders. 289 00:30:04,767.1970926 --> 00:30:05,787.1965926 Yeah, yeah. 290 00:30:05,787.1965926 --> 00:30:11,637.1970926 And that's, that's, you know, kind of the first place that I always start and I do let organizations know. 291 00:30:12,182.1970926 --> 00:30:19,932.1970926 You know, it's 67 percent right now, but it has been as high as 73 percent of donations have come from individuals. 292 00:30:20,262.1970926 --> 00:30:27,852.1960926 It is, I think it's on the rise and I actually think part of the decline has been a gap of asking. 293 00:30:27,902.1970926 --> 00:30:34,472.1980926 You know, in COVID made it even more difficult to ask just because people were a lot of nonprofits. 294 00:30:34,692.1980926 --> 00:30:42,942.1980926 Continued their really vital work in their community throughout COVID, but they were stretched thin, you know, because they had increased increased need. 295 00:30:43,352.1970926 --> 00:30:57,662.1980926 But I, and it's really funny because actually, as I share that with the nonprofits that I work with, they're often surprised by that number that it's so high, but it's a consistent number that has been that high. 296 00:30:57,672.1980926 --> 00:31:13,487.1980926 And so it's definitely something that we need to really tune into and, you know, direct our efforts towards making sure we have a foundational giving program that donors can learn how to give to our organizations through. 297 00:31:15,67.1980926 --> 00:31:17,47.1980926 So yeah, I, yeah, I, I agree. 298 00:31:17,47.1980926 --> 00:31:23,707.1990926 And I do think it's a it's a skill that needs to be developed and, and you know, I'm glad you're providing some training around that. 299 00:31:24,202.1990926 --> 00:31:24,562.1990926 Yeah. 300 00:31:24,812.1990926 --> 00:31:25,102.1990926 Yeah. 301 00:31:25,842.1990926 --> 00:31:26,102.1990926 Yeah. 302 00:31:26,102.1990926 --> 00:31:30,832.1990926 And there's some, there's some other great, there's some other great opportunities, you know, to learn. 303 00:31:31,422.1990926 --> 00:31:32,562.1980926 I'm happy to do it. 304 00:31:32,562.1980926 --> 00:31:35,422.1990926 And I'm also happy to refer to other things just to learn. 305 00:31:35,422.1990926 --> 00:31:38,92.1980926 Cause you know, I didn't know a lot about plain giving. 306 00:31:38,92.1990926 --> 00:31:50,862.1980926 So that's something like I would refer out to, but I actually learned the most recently from Oh, Posey's her last name, her first name, yes, sorry it didn't escape from me. 307 00:31:51,222.1980926 --> 00:31:57,522.1970926 I went to the thing and she was talking about Plaingiving and I was like, oh, you know, she made it, she made it so simple that Plaingiving. 308 00:31:57,522.1980926 --> 00:31:57,952.1980926 Yeah. 309 00:31:58,82.1980926 --> 00:31:58,512.1980926 Yeah. 310 00:31:58,982.1970926 --> 00:32:03,932.1970926 Well, that is one, you know, one thing nonprofits can do is partner with their local community foundation. 311 00:32:04,332.1970926 --> 00:32:07,542.1970926 Because, you know, some of those skills are hard to gain, you know. 312 00:32:08,227.1980926 --> 00:32:12,857.1980926 Like, especially in the plan giving arena, but community foundations are well versed in that. 313 00:32:12,867.1980926 --> 00:32:26,387.1980926 And if a nonprofit has a fund at a community foundation, they can often access some of that expertise and resources to help them develop plan giving programs without having to have all that expertise directly in house. 314 00:32:26,937.1980926 --> 00:32:40,347.1980926 So that's, that's one way, like you said, there are other ways too, that they can get training or learn or, or, you know, partner with others, perhaps to, to build some of those skill sets that help them to pursue things like individual donor fundraising. 315 00:32:40,797.1980926 --> 00:32:54,527.1990926 Yeah, a lot of the donor management sites provide phenomenal training along with their services, you know, so, I actually, I work with GiveButter and, They have so much free, they have so many free resources to learn. 316 00:32:54,547.1990926 --> 00:32:55,847.1990926 So it's really amazing. 317 00:32:55,887.1990926 --> 00:33:00,757.1990926 I think we're in an amazing time when it comes to fundraising because there is a lot of opportunity. 318 00:33:00,757.1990926 --> 00:33:01,907.1990926 So yeah, there's a lot. 319 00:33:01,917.1990926 --> 00:33:05,327.1980926 I mean, there's so many free resources out there, even on grant seeking. 320 00:33:05,707.1990926 --> 00:33:07,687.1990926 I mean, there are a lot of free resources. 321 00:33:07,687.1990926 --> 00:33:22,377.1980926 If, if people you know, look around a bit Candid has a lot of great modules or recordings that you can watch or all kinds of information that if you just spend a little time and dig in, there's a lot out there that can be accessed for free. 322 00:33:22,377.1990926 --> 00:33:31,727.1990926 It's a matter of knowing where to look and then carving out the time to, you know, be able to fully benefit from some of those free resources. 323 00:33:32,257.1990926 --> 00:33:35,887.1990926 Yeah, but capacity building is actually bringing those resources to you too. 324 00:33:36,37.1990926 --> 00:33:38,987.1990926 So, you know, bringing some of those resources in. 325 00:33:38,987.1990926 --> 00:33:54,257.1990926 So, and, and like I said, I, I really think that a lot of nonprofits just don't understand how to create this capacity building grants, but bringing in resources like that to help train your staff and to build your staff up so that they're able to do some of that stuff is a great capacity growing area. 326 00:33:54,257.1990926 --> 00:33:55,537.1990926 So, right. 327 00:33:55,787.1990926 --> 00:33:56,97.1990926 Right. 328 00:33:56,847.1990926 --> 00:33:58,167.1990926 Well, thank you so much. 329 00:33:58,177.1990926 --> 00:34:10,837.1990926 Can you let our listeners know where they can find you? We have some West Virginia and Ohio listeners, but a lot of ours are out of state, but they can still access and learn about the foundation. 330 00:34:11,277.1980926 --> 00:34:11,627.1980926 Sure. 331 00:34:11,717.1990926 --> 00:34:12,157.1990926 Sure. 332 00:34:12,547.1990926 --> 00:34:13,147.1990926 So you're sure. 333 00:34:13,187.1980926 --> 00:34:17,767.1990926 So, we have a website, which is sisters, health, FDN. 334 00:34:17,807.1990926 --> 00:34:18,217.1990926 org. 335 00:34:18,777.1990926 --> 00:34:26,407.1980926 So, we have lots of great information on there about our grant making priorities and process of our application process. 336 00:34:26,407.1990926 --> 00:34:36,117.1990926 So just like any other funder, the first thing I would do, any funder you want to approach is Google them and find their website because there are not that many anymore that don't have some kind of website. 337 00:34:36,207.1990926 --> 00:34:37,637.1990926 So they can visit our website. 338 00:34:37,727.1990926 --> 00:34:42,507.1990926 And on the website, you can, you'll find information about all of our staff, including me. 339 00:34:42,822.1990926 --> 00:34:57,432.1980926 With my email and our phone number and like I said, I'm, I'm happy for folks to reach out if they're looking for advice or, or want to ask about a project or, you know, something might align with our funding priorities and our geographic area. 340 00:34:57,442.1990926 --> 00:35:01,832.0990926 Since that's I know you're reaching folks all across the country. 341 00:35:01,832.1990926 --> 00:35:04,412.1990926 Our geographic counties are listed on there. 342 00:35:04,762.1990926 --> 00:35:19,932.1980926 So that, and that's, you know, honestly, when I, when I do grant training, I, and I, when people are looking at funders, the 1st thing I say is look at the geographic area because that's the 1st screen, right? If they don't find in your geographic area, then you probably need to move on to to another funder. 343 00:35:20,482.1990926 --> 00:35:22,632.1990926 Yes, yes, that's great advice. 344 00:35:23,22.1990926 --> 00:35:28,382.1990926 I just wanted to plug you guys for people who do live in the West Virginia area. 345 00:35:28,712.1990926 --> 00:35:37,92.1980926 You also have really amazing data resources where people have done you know, studies on like food and health in the area. 346 00:35:37,102.1980926 --> 00:35:39,462.0990926 And so like you publish those. 347 00:35:39,772.1990926 --> 00:35:40,682.1990926 On your site too. 348 00:35:40,682.1990926 --> 00:35:42,322.1990926 I know I've read through some of those. 349 00:35:42,322.1990926 --> 00:35:44,62.1990926 So that's a really great resource. 350 00:35:44,732.1990926 --> 00:35:48,902.1990926 Yeah, we try to get those resources out there so that that many people can benefit from them. 351 00:35:49,192.1990926 --> 00:35:49,692.1990926 Yeah. 352 00:35:49,692.2990926 --> 00:35:50,52.0980926 Yeah. 353 00:35:50,52.1980926 --> 00:35:51,82.1990926 So, all right. 354 00:35:51,82.1990926 --> 00:35:59,702.2000926 And then our last question is always what's one piece of advice of advice you'd give to every nonprofit? Oh, that's a good question, Sarah. 355 00:35:59,832.1990926 --> 00:36:05,62.1990926 I think, I think Keep your mission always in the front of your mind. 356 00:36:05,492.1990926 --> 00:36:29,442.2000926 And I know some, I know we do this and some other non profits might like any kind of meeting we have, we always have our mission on there because that I think always going back to your mission and your values keeps you grounded and focused on the, the true heart of the work and will help you avoid any kind of that mission drift or you know, moving in some directions that, that aren't really critical or, or. 357 00:36:29,767.2000926 --> 00:36:31,47.2000926 Close to the heart on the mission. 358 00:36:31,47.2000926 --> 00:36:36,447.2000926 So keep the mission, keep the mission in mind and persistence, resilience is important. 359 00:36:37,122.2000926 --> 00:36:38,202.2000926 Yeah, that's great. 360 00:36:38,212.2000926 --> 00:36:38,792.2000926 That's great. 361 00:36:38,992.2000926 --> 00:36:46,772.2000926 Yeah, I love the keep the mission in mind because it can help you say no, and it can help you say it can help you say yes, as well as saying no, right? Yeah, right. 362 00:36:46,772.2000926 --> 00:36:55,412.1990926 And sometimes you have to say no, because that's the way that you, you discern what, what are the priorities and what are things that are not a fit for your organization. 363 00:36:55,762.2000926 --> 00:37:00,182.2000926 And that's part of what we do as funders too, when we're looking at what to fund, you keep that mission in mind. 364 00:37:00,572.2000926 --> 00:37:04,542.2000926 And unfortunately, sometimes we have to say no, but we know we always have the mission in mind. 365 00:37:05,32.2000926 --> 00:37:05,422.2000926 Yeah. 366 00:37:05,612.2000926 --> 00:37:06,192.2000926 That's great. 367 00:37:06,362.2000926 --> 00:37:08,932.2000926 Well, thank you so much for joining us and to our listeners. 368 00:37:08,932.2000926 --> 00:37:10,422.2000926 I thank you for tuning in this week. 369 00:37:10,792.1990926 --> 00:37:13,652.1990926 I look forward to another conversation next week. 370 00:37:13,752.1990926 --> 00:37:14,152.2000926 Thank you. 371 00:37:14,152.2000926 --> 00:37:14,742.1990926 And bye. 372 00:37:15,547.2000926 --> 00:37:18,947.2000926 Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Nonprofit 411. 373 00:37:19,347.2000926 --> 00:37:22,917.2000926 I hope you found today's conversation as insightful and inspiring as I did. 374 00:37:23,507.2000926 --> 00:37:26,877.1990926 Remember, building a healthy nonprofit requires a holistic approach. 375 00:37:27,187.2000926 --> 00:37:34,57.2000926 There are many resources available to support your staff, and we're dedicated to helping your organization access what it needs to thrive. 376 00:37:34,797.1990926 --> 00:37:38,364.3637712 One key to creating a thriving organization is a diverse fundraising strategy. 377 00:37:38,364.3637712 --> 00:37:43,367.1000926 While grants are an important part of that strategy, they're just one piece of the overall puzzle. 378 00:37:44,257.2000926 --> 00:37:49,677.2000926 If you're looking to strengthen your grant writing skills as part of this bigger picture, I've got a resource to help you get started. 379 00:37:50,227.2000926 --> 00:37:58,527.2000926 Download my free grant writing guide packed with practical tips and best practices to help you craft proposals that align with your overall fundraising goals. 380 00:37:59,7.2000926 --> 00:38:00,487.2000926 You'll find the link in the show notes. 381 00:38:00,777.1990926 --> 00:38:06,957.2000926 And as always, if you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow change makers. 382 00:38:07,547.2000926 --> 00:38:10,147.2000926 Let's work together to build a vibrant nonprofit community. 383 00:38:10,467.2000926 --> 00:38:13,477.2000926 Until next time, keep pushing forward and making a difference. 384 00:38:14,676.3837661 --> 00:38:19,66.3837661 Feeling the pressure of meeting your nonprofit's fundraising goals? You're not alone. 385 00:38:19,586.3837661 --> 00:38:24,676.3827661 Many nonprofits struggle with limited resources, donor fatigue, and a lack of clear strategy. 386 00:38:25,456.3837661 --> 00:38:29,776.3837661 Nonprofit 411 offers personalized coaching to address these challenges head on. 387 00:38:30,306.3827661 --> 00:38:32,66.3837661 Together, we'll tackle your biggest obstacle. 388 00:38:33,511.3837661 --> 00:38:37,261.3837661 Boost your donor relationships and build momentum toward your mission. 389 00:38:37,811.3837661 --> 00:38:39,911.3837661 Don't let obstacles slow you down. 390 00:38:40,71.3837661 --> 00:38:43,281.3837661 Start your coaching journey today at Nonprofit411. 391 00:38:43,611.3827661 --> 00:38:43,981.3827661 org.