May 4, 2025 • 29 mins
In this episode of the Nonprofit411 Podcast, Sarah Barton is joined by DeaRonda Harrison, founder and president of June 1st Firm. DeaRonda shares her journey from working in higher education fundraising to launching her own consultancy focused on providing grant writing services for nonprofits. She explains how her expertise in federal grants, including HRSA, DOJ, and DOE, helps nonprofits secure funding to maximize their impact.
DeaRonda also shares her insights on the challenges nonprofits face when it comes to grants, from building partnerships to navigating the complexities of federal applications. She emphasizes the importance of having a sustainable revenue strategy, with grants being just one piece of the puzzle. In this episode, DeaRonda highlights how nonprofits can leverage grants while ensuring they have a robust and diversified funding strategy in place.
Episode Links:
- June 1st Firm Website: https://www.junefirstfirm.com
- DeaRonda Harrison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearondaharrison/
- Nonprofit411 Website: https://www.nonprofit411.org
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Welcome to the Nonprofit 411 podcast, the podcast where we speak with nonprofit professionals and experts to uncover strategies, share insights, and tackle the challenges you face in fundraising and sustainability. 2 00:00:12,579.999 --> 00:00:17,040 I'm Sarah Barton, your fundraising growth partner and the founder of Nonprofit 411. 3 00:00:17,489.999 --> 00:00:24,050 My mission is to help you develop tailored strategies and support you as you implement them, ensuring your nonprofit thrives.
(00:24):
Let's dive into today's episode and learn from the experiences and expertise of those who have been in your shoes. 5 00:00:36,871.29244898 --> 00:00:40,111.19244898 Hello, welcome to this week's nonprofit 411. 6 00:00:40,111.29244898 --> 00:00:43,451.29244898 I'm Sarah, your host, and I am so excited to be with you today. 7 00:00:43,861.29244898 --> 00:00:50,211.29244898 Today we are joined by DeaRonda Harrison, president and founder of June 1st Firm. 8 00:00:50,811.29244898 --> 00:00:51,621.29244898 Welcome. 9 00:00:52,211.29244898 --> 00:00:53,501.29144898 Hi, welcome. 10 00:00:53,521.29144898 --> 00:00:54,611.29144898 Thanks for having me. 11 00:00:55,241.29244898 --> 00:00:57,991.29244898 Yes, I'm very excited to have this conversation. 12 00:00:58,71.29244898 --> 00:01:02,321.29244898 There are some similarities in our background that I hope we can explore. 13 00:01:02,771.29244898 --> 00:01:15,261.29244898 So I always start my podcast with my favorite question, which is what is your favorite hobby? I always struggle to answer this question because I'm like, I feel like I work too much, but I do have things that I enjoy doing. 14 00:01:15,261.29244898 --> 00:01:19,411.29244898 I love going to concerts, shows, I like small venues. 15 00:01:19,791.29144898 --> 00:01:30,871.29044898 So, I do like going to see, I'm an R& B girlie, and then I also love to travel, of course, anywhere tropical, anywhere warm, especially right now. 16 00:01:31,171.29144898 --> 00:01:34,201.29144898 I do love to try to get away at least a couple times a year. 17 00:01:34,941.29144898 --> 00:01:35,741.29144898 Oh, that's good. 18 00:01:35,821.29144898 --> 00:01:36,431.29144898 That's good. 19 00:01:36,731.29144898 --> 00:01:37,241.29144898 Yeah. 20 00:01:37,281.29144898 --> 00:01:39,171.29144898 I I used to work. 21 00:01:39,171.29144898 --> 00:01:44,751.29144898 I definitely am a recovering workaholic, so I can understand that being the primary hobby. 22 00:01:44,771.29144898 --> 00:01:51,121.29144898 And sometimes I fall into that habit again, but I think it's really important to have a good work health. 23 00:01:51,481.29144898 --> 00:01:52,901.29144898 Work life balance. 24 00:01:52,911.29144898 --> 00:02:00,411.29144898 So I do try to wrap up my day and then not open the computer again after saying it. 25 00:02:01,211.29144898 --> 00:02:01,541.29144898 Yeah. 26 00:02:02,401.29144898 --> 00:02:07,291.29144898 So, and I'm all about the warmth where, where are you located at Atlanta, Georgia. 27 00:02:08,171.29144898 --> 00:02:11,871.29144898 Oh, and you, so you guys are in an unusual state of cold right now. 28 00:02:11,881.29144898 --> 00:02:14,661.29144898 We're recording in January, right? Yes. 29 00:02:14,691.29144898 --> 00:02:15,811.29144898 Unusually cold. 30 00:02:15,831.29144898 --> 00:02:16,401.29144898 Yes. 31 00:02:16,501.29144898 --> 00:02:17,111.29144898 Very cold. 32 00:02:17,971.29144898 --> 00:02:18,831.29094898 I'm in West Virginia. 33 00:02:18,831.29094898 --> 00:02:23,841.29144898 So we have typically a winter, but you know, not like some, I saw a picture today. 34 00:02:23,841.29144898 --> 00:02:26,241.29144898 It's January 23rd is when we're recording this. 35 00:02:26,241.29144898 --> 00:02:30,231.29144898 And I saw a picture of Florida with snow on the beaches. 36 00:02:30,241.29144898 --> 00:02:33,101.29144898 So yeah, they're like, they don't even know what's going on. 37 00:02:34,761.29144898 --> 00:02:36,641.29144898 I always think of the children and like. 38 00:02:37,91.29144898 --> 00:02:41,91.29144898 That first time you see snow, it's so amazing. 39 00:02:41,211.29144898 --> 00:02:46,901.29144898 And, you know, so every once in a while, every lifetime needs to have an unexpected snow storm. 40 00:02:47,381.29144898 --> 00:02:47,821.29144898 Exactly. 41 00:02:48,521.29044898 --> 00:02:50,41.29144898 It's fun when it's unexpected. 42 00:02:51,231.29144898 --> 00:02:51,761.29144898 Yeah. 43 00:02:51,871.29144898 --> 00:03:01,421.29144898 So, well, so tell me a little bit about June 1st Firm and about your you know, your background and kind of how you got into the work that you're currently doing. 44 00:03:02,391.29144898 --> 00:03:14,111.29144898 Yeah, June 1st Firm started, well, we're in the beginning of 2025, so pretty much 10 years ago, 2014, and I started volunteering like a volunteer grant writer working at helping them. 45 00:03:14,901.29144898 --> 00:03:16,991.29144898 Education nonprofit in my community. 46 00:03:17,221.29144898 --> 00:03:24,351.29144898 They were actually applying for a big federal grant and I was working closely with the, the grant writer. 47 00:03:24,611.29044898 --> 00:03:29,511.29144898 She was just kind of like giving me the rope, showing me how to, how this whole thing goes and what to do. 48 00:03:29,611.29044898 --> 00:03:30,991.29144898 I was very green. 49 00:03:30,991.29144898 --> 00:03:33,261.29094898 I didn't know, and I was just helping them out. 50 00:03:33,261.29094898 --> 00:03:38,21.29044898 And then of course I just continued to support them ongoing for additional grants. 51 00:03:38,61.29044898 --> 00:03:41,151.29044898 They applied to a number of like public funding sources. 52 00:03:41,151.29044898 --> 00:03:43,511.29044898 So I always say I got started. 53 00:03:44,201.29144898 --> 00:03:51,551.29144898 On that 1st, big, complex federal grant, and I continue to stay in there for some odd reason. 54 00:03:51,551.29144898 --> 00:03:57,351.29144898 They didn't scare me away and just continue to work with nonprofits and capacities specifically around grants. 55 00:03:57,381.29144898 --> 00:04:00,551.29144898 And I know fundraising is so broad, but my specialty. 56 00:04:01,201.29144898 --> 00:04:08,286.19144898 My service is specifically June 1st for we offer grant writing services and a lot of my clients come to me for the federal grants. 57 00:04:08,706.29144898 --> 00:04:14,66.29144898 But we do everything we do private foundation corporate and your federal grants as well. 58 00:04:14,66.29144898 --> 00:04:19,566.29144898 So I kind of always say I kind of fail into grant writing have people that asked me about it and. 59 00:04:20,146.29144898 --> 00:04:23,386.29144898 if I could help them get some grants for their organization. 60 00:04:23,386.29144898 --> 00:04:32,536.29144898 So I just started to look into it, research it, and then I saw the opportunity with the local non profit in my community, and that's how I pretty much got started. 61 00:04:33,486.29144898 --> 00:04:34,26.29144898 Yeah. 62 00:04:34,46.29144898 --> 00:04:36,656.29144898 So I think everyone falls into fundraising. 63 00:04:36,786.29044898 --> 00:04:42,6.29144898 I don't think any of us are groomed from, from youth to be a fundraiser. 64 00:04:42,136.29144898 --> 00:04:44,616.29144898 That's what I've found as I've interviewed fundraisers. 65 00:04:45,36.29144898 --> 00:04:53,136.29144898 And I find it really interesting that you've kind of landed With an expertise in the federal area. 66 00:04:53,136.29144898 --> 00:04:56,646.29144898 It's definitely the area where a lot of people do shy away from. 67 00:04:56,646.29144898 --> 00:05:02,466.29144898 But in my grant writing experience, I was hired at a university to do grant writing. 68 00:05:02,466.29144898 --> 00:05:04,476.29144898 I didn't know much about grant writing. 69 00:05:04,876.29144898 --> 00:05:09,796.29144898 And I think I was probably a couple years in when I got my first federal grant. 70 00:05:09,976.29144898 --> 00:05:13,306.29144898 They don't scare me, but they are a lot of work. 71 00:05:13,566.29144898 --> 00:05:14,706.29144898 Yeah, they are. 72 00:05:14,946.29144898 --> 00:05:15,517.29144898 I would say you just. 73 00:05:16,221.29144898 --> 00:05:19,481.29144898 It's like putting together a puzzle and you just gotta have a plan. 74 00:05:19,511.29144898 --> 00:05:25,81.29144898 I actually prefer them but it is a process to completing a federal grant application. 75 00:05:25,851.29044898 --> 00:05:26,281.29044898 Yeah. 76 00:05:26,711.29144898 --> 00:05:38,371.29044898 I think the, the beauty about the federal grants is that you have the opportunity to really invest in your organization in big ways, right? A lot of those grants are bigger. 77 00:05:38,811.29044898 --> 00:05:39,171.29044898 Yes. 78 00:05:39,181.29044898 --> 00:05:39,611.29044898 And. 79 00:05:40,516.29144898 --> 00:05:40,856.29144898 Go ahead. 80 00:05:41,316.29144898 --> 00:05:41,606.29144898 I don't know. 81 00:05:41,616.29144898 --> 00:05:52,286.29144898 I was gonna say it really helps them talk through their programming in a lot on a larger scale and how they're evaluating their outcomes and things like that, which is something they may not have gone into. 82 00:05:52,636.29144898 --> 00:06:00,596.29144898 D on other applications, or even if it's just their 1st grant, but definitely helps them talk about their program in a bigger picture. 83 00:06:00,596.29144898 --> 00:06:06,776.29144898 And really, can you utilize that information moving forward? It's it's I always say it's very beneficial either. 84 00:06:07,96.29044898 --> 00:06:08,886.29144898 Unfortunately, you know, if you don't get the grant. 85 00:06:09,291.29144898 --> 00:06:11,941.29144898 But you can definitely utilize that information moving forward. 86 00:06:12,631.29144898 --> 00:06:13,161.29144898 Yeah. 87 00:06:13,381.29144898 --> 00:06:17,131.29144898 Do you have any agencies that you specialize in? Yeah. 88 00:06:17,131.29144898 --> 00:06:20,501.29144898 I do a number of HRSA grants, which is like health resources. 89 00:06:20,531.29144898 --> 00:06:20,801.29144898 Yes. 90 00:06:21,71.29144898 --> 00:06:22,391.29144898 They're my favorite. 91 00:06:22,691.29044898 --> 00:06:22,801.29044898 Yeah. 92 00:06:23,1.29144898 --> 00:06:24,571.29144898 I don't know why I'm like, I like HRSA grants. 93 00:06:24,891.29144898 --> 00:06:30,61.29144898 And then HSS, HUD I've done a ton of Department of Education, DOE grants as well. 94 00:06:30,61.29144898 --> 00:06:36,321.29144898 So, but lately I've done some DOJ, a lot of like OVW, Office of Violence Against Women. 95 00:06:36,791.29144898 --> 00:06:40,81.29144898 I've been enjoying doing some of those because that work is so critical, but. 96 00:06:40,591.29144898 --> 00:06:44,381.29144898 I don't have a specialty per se, but I do have like some favorites. 97 00:06:44,991.29144898 --> 00:06:49,851.29144898 Yeah, HRSA is one of my favorites because I think that they support their grantees really well. 98 00:06:50,371.29144898 --> 00:06:57,341.29144898 So in the follow up on the other side, I've also done department of ed and worked on some DOJ ones. 99 00:06:58,351.29144898 --> 00:06:59,231.29144898 I think that. 100 00:06:59,656.29144898 --> 00:07:14,346.29044898 For our listeners, what they might not realize is that each of those departments are unique in that it's not like you apply for a federal grant, and it goes into the big pot and then is split out. 101 00:07:14,626.29144898 --> 00:07:21,326.29044898 It's actually that you find the the department, and then see what that department has available. 102 00:07:21,566.29044898 --> 00:07:29,876.29044898 You can search by keywords and stuff, you know, on You know, but that each department is actually different and they actually have different requirements and grant processes. 103 00:07:29,946.29044898 --> 00:07:34,396.29044898 I mean, it's like a whole nother, it's completely different from department to department. 104 00:07:34,396.39044898 --> 00:07:36,356.28944898 So you, yeah, just knowing that is. 105 00:07:36,826.29044898 --> 00:07:37,656.29044898 The first step. 106 00:07:37,806.29044898 --> 00:07:38,886.29044898 That's exactly right. 107 00:07:39,756.29044898 --> 00:07:40,116.29044898 Yeah. 108 00:07:40,136.29044898 --> 00:07:42,76.29044898 Not all are created equal. 109 00:07:42,96.29044898 --> 00:07:43,176.29044898 Not at all. 110 00:07:44,606.28944898 --> 00:07:51,166.29044898 So tell me what are some of the favorite projects that you've gotten funded? Oh, that's a good question. 111 00:07:51,186.29044898 --> 00:08:18,536.29144898 I've noticed recently, like, I type these word trend, but noticing funders, especially your federal public funding, they like When organizations come in as a collaborative or a coalition, I know you always mention in your applications who you partner with and things like that, but this is actually like we are a Multiple organizations coming in as 1 group, so to speak, and we have multiple staff members from our organization in the budget. 112 00:08:18,546.29144898 --> 00:08:20,506.29144898 So, 1 grant was recently funded. 113 00:08:20,566.29144898 --> 00:08:25,36.29144898 Well, it's been about a year now for the grand idea for organization based out of Maryland. 114 00:08:25,36.29144898 --> 00:08:26,106.29144898 They're a housing agency. 115 00:08:26,106.29144898 --> 00:08:28,296.29144898 They partner with 2 health agencies. 116 00:08:28,636.29144898 --> 00:08:30,546.29144898 It was a social determinative health grant. 117 00:08:30,676.29144898 --> 00:08:36,796.29144898 Out of the state and because they went in as that coalition, they were awarded a multi million dollar grant. 118 00:08:36,806.29144898 --> 00:08:45,196.29044898 So that was one that I was proud of because it was, it was a sometimes it can be challenging to get organizations to kind of work like that. 119 00:08:45,206.29144898 --> 00:08:52,621.29144898 They'll understand like, yes, we partner with them, but to actually Put them in the budget, knowing some of these funds are going to be distributed to them. 120 00:08:52,651.29144898 --> 00:08:55,411.29144898 It can be a little scary for them, I guess, maybe. 121 00:08:55,801.29144898 --> 00:09:10,441.29144898 So I, I'm proud of that and just really helping other organizations understand, like, it's okay to work together, even though they say they know that and they understand that sometimes when it actually comes down to it, it can be a bit challenging for them. 122 00:09:10,441.29144898 --> 00:09:15,541.29144898 So that was one that, and it was nice to see the state understand that, you know. 123 00:09:16,91.29144898 --> 00:09:33,601.29144898 There are all these different reasons people aren't in housing or they're experiencing homelessness because of their health or because of not having a job, like all of these different reasons, not having access to food is hindering them from housing and then not having housing affects their health. 124 00:09:33,621.29144898 --> 00:09:40,711.29044898 So I'm just, it was just nice to know that government supported that, understood that and actually funded that work. 125 00:09:42,226.29144898 --> 00:09:43,206.29144898 I see the same thing. 126 00:09:43,206.29144898 --> 00:09:55,946.29144898 And I, I am, that's another reason I love HRSA is because I've gotten to attend several of their conferences and they are such promoters of organizations working together well. 127 00:09:56,166.29144898 --> 00:10:10,841.29244898 And I think that the average person may not realize how much effort the federal government does put into trying to get organizations to Maximize their impact by working together. 128 00:10:10,841.29244898 --> 00:10:17,801.29144898 And I love what you just said about making sure organizations are funded together. 129 00:10:17,831.29244898 --> 00:10:18,201.29244898 Right. 130 00:10:18,211.29244898 --> 00:10:19,421.29244898 And it is hard. 131 00:10:19,501.29244898 --> 00:10:35,131.29244898 Someone has to be willing to take a little bit of a risk, but it's so beautiful when it happens because The outcomes for the individuals receiving the services really are neat. 132 00:10:35,611.29244898 --> 00:10:36,881.29244898 It pays off in the end. 133 00:10:36,881.29244898 --> 00:10:47,371.19244898 And I always tell people to think about them, the client, because a lot of times people are like, well, we partner with them, but we don't, you know, really know them like that, or, you know, not. 134 00:10:47,501.29244898 --> 00:10:49,421.29244898 Don't we haven't done any work together. 135 00:10:49,421.29244898 --> 00:10:51,491.29244898 And I'm like, let this be that project. 136 00:10:51,821.29244898 --> 00:10:53,61.29244898 You know, let's give it a try. 137 00:10:53,71.29244898 --> 00:10:54,381.29244898 I always say doesn't hurt to try. 138 00:10:54,381.29244898 --> 00:10:57,121.29244898 And of course, if it doesn't work out, you just won't work with them again. 139 00:10:57,121.29244898 --> 00:11:03,901.29344898 But a lot of a lot of times you definitely have to be innovative and forward thinking to go into applications like that. 140 00:11:03,901.29444898 --> 00:11:07,71.29244898 And this organization was they had, you know, they have great leadership. 141 00:11:07,771.29244898 --> 00:11:09,326.19344898 And it paid off in the end. 142 00:11:10,546.29344898 --> 00:11:22,326.29344898 Yeah, that leadership piece is such, such a key part, you know, because, because someone does have to take a risk to say, I'm going to, I'm willing to manage this money for all of these organizations. 143 00:11:22,816.29344898 --> 00:11:25,796.29344898 But it doesn't have to be really scary. 144 00:11:25,836.29244898 --> 00:11:51,871.29344898 I can say in my work, it's Much easier for several smaller organizations to come together than to have some of the like large conglomerate organizations because the large conglomerate organizations have so many departments that you have to work with, where if you're just working with like somebody smaller it's much more flexible, right? Exactly. 145 00:11:51,871.29344898 --> 00:11:53,331.29344898 That's actually a very good point. 146 00:11:53,371.29244898 --> 00:11:54,391.29244898 I'm glad you said that. 147 00:11:54,431.29344898 --> 00:12:09,211.29344898 The smaller nonprofits coming together, especially when you, you know, you're smaller and you may not be ready for that big federal grant, definitely partnering with other going in as a coalition with other nonprofits can definitely increase your chances of success. 148 00:12:09,221.29344898 --> 00:12:10,761.29344898 So that's a very good point too. 149 00:12:11,331.29344898 --> 00:12:11,731.29344898 Yeah. 150 00:12:11,941.29344898 --> 00:12:36,471.29244898 So what other, what other observations do you have about organizations and grant writing that you would like to share with our listeners? I find that a lot of times they struggle with not only talking about their work, but the point, I always say, so what, like you're doing this great thing, you're serving children or you're helping seniors or you're helping women that have been victims of sexual assault. 151 00:12:36,471.29244898 --> 00:12:37,831.29294898 You're like, well, duh, common sense. 152 00:12:37,831.29294898 --> 00:12:46,661.29294898 You want to help these people, but you're always having to prove the reason why you're doing it, really showing the statistics in your region, in your area how they're, you know, really. 153 00:12:47,501.29294898 --> 00:12:56,801.29294898 I hate to say bad, but they have a, you know, very bad statistics or very poor reflection on people that you're serving and their lack of access to resources. 154 00:12:57,101.29294898 --> 00:13:09,221.29294898 So really highlighting that in every grant has a area where you can talk about your need that what I call the need statement of a problem statement really talking that up to show that there is a problem a true problem. 155 00:13:09,506.29294898 --> 00:13:25,326.29294898 Just making sure that that's being communicated, because you may know that, but a lot of times it may just may not be communicated, and I'm just saying, once you get that data, just repeating it over and over again, and I'm in your grant application, and then also how you're evaluating your program. 156 00:13:25,326.29294898 --> 00:13:31,616.29294898 I see a lot of nonprofits don't even talk about that at all in their, in their grant application. 157 00:13:31,646.29294898 --> 00:13:38,231.29294898 So how you're, Evaluating your programming, how you know that it's making a difference. 158 00:13:38,251.29294898 --> 00:13:51,341.29194898 What feedback are you collecting from clients? If it's like human services, what items are you collecting? What tools are you utilizing? So I see those are some areas a lot of nonprofits struggle with. 159 00:13:51,351.29294898 --> 00:13:53,661.29294898 So when we talk about your need. 160 00:13:53,971.29294898 --> 00:13:59,441.29294898 And the impact and also like your evaluation, your evaluation of your programmatic services. 161 00:14:00,341.29294898 --> 00:14:00,791.29294898 Yeah. 162 00:14:00,791.29294898 --> 00:14:20,391.29294898 And I think that grant opportunities are such a great opportunity for organizations to bring in outside consultants, like bring in people to help you because you don't have all the skills or even if you do, and this is the thing, even if you do have the skills or you could figure it out. 163 00:14:20,996.29294898 --> 00:14:26,866.29294898 It can be really, really meaningful to have someone from the outside lay fresh eyes on your organization. 164 00:14:26,866.39294898 --> 00:14:28,906.29294898 And so, yeah. 165 00:14:29,6.29294898 --> 00:14:33,26.29294898 So these big grants allow us to, to do that. 166 00:14:33,26.29294898 --> 00:14:41,721.29294898 And I think it is helpful for organizations to be really thoughtful about about doing that because Yeah, and sharing. 167 00:14:41,781.29294898 --> 00:14:59,351.29294898 How about sharing the information out? Do you build into your your projects like ways to share the information out to other organizations and and to the community? I know a lot of times they have their annual reports or impact reports, they call them. 168 00:14:59,691.29294898 --> 00:15:03,151.29294898 That's a lot of ways that they share that information out and I've noticed. 169 00:15:03,456.29294898 --> 00:15:10,106.29294898 Some things that we've written that we partnered together collaborated on to come up with some data, some outcomes. 170 00:15:10,116.29294898 --> 00:15:12,156.29194898 They have definitely put that on their website. 171 00:15:12,426.29194898 --> 00:15:14,796.29294898 They've added that to like their annual report. 172 00:15:14,806.29194898 --> 00:15:19,326.29244898 So that's definitely information they share out with their donors, their stakeholders at their organization. 173 00:15:19,326.29244898 --> 00:15:29,626.29344898 So, that's something, even though it's not intentionally the, the purpose, it is outcome of benefit for getting those outside fresh set of eyes. 174 00:15:29,626.29344898 --> 00:15:31,626.29344898 And I always say that if sometimes, even if you like. 175 00:15:32,76.29344898 --> 00:15:53,636.29344898 You just know you may not can afford a grant, right? Or I always say hire them for like a project period of time to apply for three or four grants or do a big grant for you and I'm taking that information and just utilizing and moving forward, but isn't someone that you have to pay for several months, but just to get that outside fresh set of eyes. 176 00:15:54,116.29344898 --> 00:15:55,386.29344898 And just have somebody come in. 177 00:15:55,396.29344898 --> 00:15:57,866.29344898 And honestly, because I do this all the time. 178 00:15:57,866.29344898 --> 00:16:05,86.29344898 It's something that I could do much quicker than someone else that, you know, just doesn't just do this on a regular basis. 179 00:16:05,811.29344898 --> 00:16:06,191.29344898 Yeah. 180 00:16:06,431.29344898 --> 00:16:06,711.29344898 Yeah. 181 00:16:06,711.29344898 --> 00:16:10,171.29344898 And you start to build your process and have your checklist and, you know, yeah. 182 00:16:10,241.29344898 --> 00:16:13,81.29344898 And you have examples of like other options. 183 00:16:13,91.29344898 --> 00:16:19,821.29294898 That's what I think is fun about grant writing is that you get to see how other organizations do it well. 184 00:16:19,821.29294898 --> 00:16:25,121.29344898 And some of the challenges too, that they experience and you can help others avoid it. 185 00:16:25,731.29344898 --> 00:16:26,371.29344898 Exactly. 186 00:16:26,371.29344898 --> 00:16:26,551.29344898 Yeah. 187 00:16:26,551.29344898 --> 00:16:32,481.29344898 And it's just giving them even some feedback on ways to evaluate their program or services that they may have not even thought about. 188 00:16:32,571.29344898 --> 00:16:33,611.29244898 That's typically. 189 00:16:33,991.29344898 --> 00:16:45,881.293449 Not anything too complex or cumbersome or something that they may be implementing, they just may not be collecting it so just really helping them with their process improvement altogether. 190 00:16:46,731.293449 --> 00:16:54,221.292449 So I have something I've experienced and I just want to see if you have had similar experiences because I think it's really an interesting conversation piece. 191 00:16:54,771.292449 --> 00:17:09,261.292449 In my experience, I have, I advise my My clients, you know, don't ever write the job description for a specific person because there's a good possibility that personal change before the grant is over. 192 00:17:09,721.291449 --> 00:17:14,621.291949 Have you, have you ever seen that or experienced it? Yeah, that's a good point. 193 00:17:14,621.291949 --> 00:17:23,61.292449 I, ask them to write the job description based on what actually needs to be done in a reasonable manner. 194 00:17:23,61.292449 --> 00:17:29,281.291449 So, I've seen terrible grant writing, grant descriptions, or grant writing job descriptions. 195 00:17:29,281.291449 --> 00:17:30,901.292449 And then I've seen some that are really good. 196 00:17:30,901.292449 --> 00:17:32,891.292449 And that's another thing I also share. 197 00:17:33,181.292449 --> 00:17:35,981.291449 A lot of times I'll come in as the organization. 198 00:17:36,21.291449 --> 00:17:38,261.291449 I may work with them for maybe six or nine months. 199 00:17:38,666.291449 --> 00:17:46,576.291449 As a consultant, and then they'll take the level of grants that we completed, and they may bring they want to bring someone in house. 200 00:17:47,11.291449 --> 00:18:00,411.291449 So that's one of the benefits I share with anyone who works with me, a sample job description, because again, I've seen some that aren't written very well and the bad ones can actually repel good talent. 201 00:18:00,421.291449 --> 00:18:03,981.290449 So that's why it's so important that you have a well written job description. 202 00:18:03,981.291449 --> 00:18:06,391.290449 And I always say for grant writing, but for anything. 203 00:18:06,791.290449 --> 00:18:07,271.290449 So. 204 00:18:07,906.290449 --> 00:18:12,946.290449 We definitely, to your point, Sarah, don't want to tailor it for that one person because I mean, it can go away. 205 00:18:13,756.290449 --> 00:18:14,256.290449 Yeah. 206 00:18:14,406.290449 --> 00:18:14,826.290449 Yeah. 207 00:18:15,16.290449 --> 00:18:21,956.289949 I've seen, so particularly in higher education, I've seen grants that are really specific to a person. 208 00:18:21,956.289949 --> 00:18:29,686.290449 So they might say like this job requires somebody with a PhD and 15 years of experience in this. 209 00:18:30,176.290449 --> 00:18:35,886.290449 So they make that part of their qualifications and they have a person on staff that they anticipate moving into that. 210 00:18:36,31.290449 --> 00:18:36,551.290449 position. 211 00:18:36,861.290449 --> 00:18:41,901.290449 And maybe that person does move into the position, but something happens maybe one or two years into the grant. 212 00:18:42,291.290449 --> 00:18:49,971.290449 And they have this really unrealistic job description that they're now like, they can't fill it easily. 213 00:18:49,971.390449 --> 00:19:06,206.389449 And particularly with, like I said, higher ed, I find that But I've actually experienced it in other grants to don't be surprised if on a federal grant that's four years long, you have some transition of employment during the grant. 214 00:19:06,436.390449 --> 00:19:08,586.390449 Yeah, yeah, it's definitely possible. 215 00:19:08,596.390449 --> 00:19:19,366.390449 And being open to even degree, what the degree is in, I've seen where they want you to have a degree in like journalism and the grant writer or something like that. 216 00:19:19,416.390449 --> 00:19:20,306.390449 So I mean, I don't. 217 00:19:20,966.390449 --> 00:19:24,356.390449 Every grant writer, I know that everybody's background is different. 218 00:19:24,666.390449 --> 00:19:27,76.390449 And some are still very great quality grant writers. 219 00:19:27,76.390449 --> 00:19:28,66.390449 They're just being open. 220 00:19:28,106.390449 --> 00:19:30,786.390949 I always wanted to say, I just wanted to say that as well. 221 00:19:30,786.390949 --> 00:19:34,356.389949 Don't be stuck to like, they have to have a degree and it has to be in this. 222 00:19:34,406.390949 --> 00:19:36,896.289949 I'm even, I mean, they'll say preferred. 223 00:19:37,196.290949 --> 00:19:41,686.289949 And then I've also seen like, they want you to have a degree in this specific area. 224 00:19:42,496.289949 --> 00:19:42,936.289949 Yeah. 225 00:19:43,126.289949 --> 00:19:43,486.289949 Yeah. 226 00:19:43,566.290949 --> 00:19:46,766.290949 I think preferred is definitely language to consider. 227 00:19:47,166.290949 --> 00:19:56,106.290949 I think another area when it comes to federal grants, and I don't know how much you work with recipients after they've received the grant, so you, you can tell me, but. 228 00:19:56,256.290949 --> 00:19:57,646.289949 Reporting, management. 229 00:19:59,586.290949 --> 00:20:06,796.288949 So another area I've seen in grants is that people are really afraid to ask for budget changes. 230 00:20:07,676.289949 --> 00:20:11,696.289949 And sometimes budget changes are necessary. 231 00:20:12,236.289949 --> 00:20:27,266.189949 And what is your experience when you have, when you actually need a budget change from the funders perspective? How does the funder feel about doing budget changes? Yeah, the bunch, I mean, they're actually, I've had that happen a number of times. 232 00:20:27,266.289949 --> 00:20:33,746.289949 And once you just communicated to the funder, you tell them what you want, the reasoning, they've never come back and said no. 233 00:20:33,786.289949 --> 00:20:34,776.289949 So I always say. 234 00:20:35,101.289949 --> 00:20:36,141.289949 It's okay. 235 00:20:36,141.289949 --> 00:20:37,371.289949 They, they're people. 236 00:20:37,371.289949 --> 00:20:38,651.289949 They want you to communicate with them. 237 00:20:38,651.289949 --> 00:20:40,281.289949 They want you to share challenges. 238 00:20:40,701.289949 --> 00:20:49,771.289949 There's been a number of, back to your point, federal grants where we had staff who were supposed to be on the grant by this date. 239 00:20:49,771.289949 --> 00:20:53,531.288949 And we've been in the grant a year and a half, and we still don't have anyone on that grant. 240 00:20:53,531.288949 --> 00:20:59,366.289949 But if we are communicating to our program officer, even though they look different, Or sounds bad. 241 00:20:59,376.289949 --> 00:21:07,346.289949 They're actually okay with that, especially if it's a difficult job or difficult job to hire for just sharing them what's going on. 242 00:21:07,356.288949 --> 00:21:08,386.289949 These are our plans. 243 00:21:08,386.289949 --> 00:21:11,26.289449 We have some people on the docket that we're going to interview. 244 00:21:11,26.289449 --> 00:21:12,646.289449 They should be getting started around this time. 245 00:21:12,646.289449 --> 00:21:14,856.288949 Just communicating all those different things. 246 00:21:14,916.289949 --> 00:21:16,76.288949 Budget changes. 247 00:21:17,156.288949 --> 00:21:21,406.289949 I've never had anyone just completely say absolutely no. 248 00:21:21,756.289949 --> 00:21:26,186.289949 But once we communicated and share what we would like to update the budget to, they always approve it. 249 00:21:26,976.289949 --> 00:21:31,756.289949 Yeah, I, I think that's so helpful for our listeners to hear because I agree. 250 00:21:32,36.289949 --> 00:21:50,946.289949 I actually find that the funders are very appreciative that you're not spending the money on something you don't really need and you're actually reallocating it to something you need more or, or differently, right? Because sometimes these grants take a long time to be funded. 251 00:21:51,136.289949 --> 00:21:52,6.289949 That's another thing. 252 00:21:52,146.289949 --> 00:21:56,516.289949 Sometimes the grants take a long time to be funded and change. 253 00:21:56,516.289949 --> 00:21:58,271.289949 You're, you're commu, you know, you're, yeah. 254 00:21:58,271.289949 --> 00:22:12,66.289949 Things change, right? Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Yeah, so I'm glad that you have had that experience too, because I do find that grantees should not be afraid of communicating with funders about changes at their organization. 255 00:22:12,66.289949 --> 00:22:18,846.289949 In fact, grant grantors or funders really want to hear that stuff, and they, they value that. 256 00:22:21,146.289949 --> 00:22:37,516.289949 Tell me, what your experience is like, how much do funders like to hear about the grant project? Do you, you know, is it like once in the lifetime of the grant or how do they prefer to be communicated with? Yeah, they prefer communication. 257 00:22:37,516.289949 --> 00:22:56,136.288949 Of course, they don't want you, you know, contacting them every day, but just updates especially if it's a federal grant and it's multi year, once a quarter you'd be surprised, a quarter rolls around pretty quickly, but just giving them updates on that, and even with some of those federal grants, they require quarterly reporting, so that is your way to update them. 258 00:22:56,156.288949 --> 00:23:15,266.288949 Going back to your point with, like, changing budget, we may even Being like we wanted to hire like a coordinator, but our team has been coming together, essentially doing the job of a coordinator just different staff people we all know nonprofits, a lot of times are wearing multiple half hats of staff people. 259 00:23:15,611.288949 --> 00:23:40,111.288949 So the funder may even say it's okay to redirect those funds to I know in the grant budget you have incentives for clients that come out to like some of the training sessions or any types of program if you want to use some of those funds for additional incentives for clients we we notice that that's been a benefit for them based on the report that you share so sometimes funders will even give you an idea or suggestion that what you can do with the money I know what COVID happened. 260 00:23:40,581.288949 --> 00:23:43,431.288949 As soon as that happened, a lot of funders are redirect these funds. 261 00:23:43,441.288949 --> 00:23:58,331.287949 However you see fit, you don't have to use it for this specific reason or this specific project that we initially discussed because of this global pandemic that has happened for, you know, the first time in a lot of our lifetime, you are able to redirect these funds accordingly. 262 00:23:58,331.287949 --> 00:24:05,821.188949 So just letting them know, like keeping them updated as much as possible, but not it. 263 00:24:07,301.288949 --> 00:24:08,561.288949 Bugging them, so to speak. 264 00:24:08,961.288949 --> 00:24:10,981.288949 Yeah, yeah, but I think you're right. 265 00:24:10,981.288949 --> 00:24:20,81.287949 I think the reports are, they're not looking for opportunities to say I gotcha, they're looking for opportunities to brag on you, right? Exactly, yeah. 266 00:24:20,81.387949 --> 00:24:39,596.288949 It's your chance, it's your opportunity to share and again, I stress like Challenges as well, telling them the things that are, you know, you're challenged with and whether that's hiring staff, whether that's not feeling like you would meet the goals or objectives that you just tell them that and the reason why it's okay. 267 00:24:40,581.288949 --> 00:24:40,981.288949 Yeah. 268 00:24:41,121.288949 --> 00:24:41,461.288949 Yeah. 269 00:24:41,731.288949 --> 00:24:42,991.288949 And what I've learned. 270 00:24:43,41.288949 --> 00:24:49,931.288949 So one of the reasons I love HRSA is because I've gone to DC several times to, you know, attend some of their conferences, which is amazing. 271 00:24:50,241.288949 --> 00:24:55,441.287949 And there's so much innovation around the country, but what I've learned is. 272 00:24:55,746.288949 --> 00:25:10,456.287949 How much those departments love to brag on you, right, grant recipient, so they're looking for opportunities to brag on you, just like we look for opportunities to brag on our clients. 273 00:25:11,526.288949 --> 00:25:12,926.287949 Absolutely, that's a good point. 274 00:25:13,316.288949 --> 00:25:18,456.288949 We have a team on those HRSA conferences, but yeah, that's awesome that they, and they want to do that. 275 00:25:18,476.288949 --> 00:25:18,936.288949 So. 276 00:25:19,631.288949 --> 00:25:20,61.288949 Yeah. 277 00:25:20,551.288949 --> 00:25:20,901.288949 Yeah. 278 00:25:21,261.288949 --> 00:25:21,591.288949 Yeah. 279 00:25:21,761.288949 --> 00:25:23,51.288949 They do brag on their people. 280 00:25:23,51.288949 --> 00:25:24,291.288949 It's so, it's so awesome. 281 00:25:24,291.288949 --> 00:25:34,801.288949 And last year when I went, I went to an ARCOR conference, it was really neat because they actually brought in like the different departments and talked about like how they all. 282 00:25:35,221.288949 --> 00:25:51,51.288949 Like how they were separate and how they shared information across it because we think that it's very direct we, you know, in our heads, they all are linked together but in reality they actually work in, you know, different buildings in different towns. 283 00:25:51,211.288949 --> 00:25:51,981.288949 Exactly. 284 00:25:52,181.287949 --> 00:25:53,821.289949 In different offices. 285 00:25:54,211.288949 --> 00:26:06,741.288949 And so They're looking for and they do they take like they take our pictures and they take our stories and they take the data that we send and they present it before Congress and I'm like, wow, that's cool. 286 00:26:06,981.287949 --> 00:26:17,21.288949 So it is really neat to see, you know, just that this is the way that they invest in the people, you know, people. 287 00:26:17,71.288949 --> 00:26:17,501.288949 Exactly. 288 00:26:17,781.288949 --> 00:26:18,221.288949 Yes. 289 00:26:18,711.288949 --> 00:26:20,301.288949 So it's really awesome. 290 00:26:20,741.288949 --> 00:26:31,251.288949 Well, so can you tell us Deronda, like, where people can reach you or how they can get a hold of you if they'd like to interact with you? Yes, you can definitely connect with me on LinkedIn. 291 00:26:31,591.288949 --> 00:26:33,31.288949 I'm pretty active on there. 292 00:26:33,131.288949 --> 00:26:39,271.288949 Deronda Harrison, D E A R O N D A, or you can visit my website, junefirstfirm. 293 00:26:40,671.288949 --> 00:26:44,361.288949 com, J U N E F I R S T F I R E M. 294 00:26:45,701.288949 --> 00:26:48,61.288949 And check out services that we offer. 295 00:26:48,61.288949 --> 00:26:53,71.288949 We work with a lot of clients on monthly retainers so that they don't have to worry about grants. 296 00:26:53,101.288949 --> 00:27:01,661.287949 And they just know that that's been taken care of, but happy to connect with your LinkedIn, feel free to send me a message and let me know that you heard me on nonprofit for one. 297 00:27:02,631.288949 --> 00:27:03,591.288949 Thank you. 298 00:27:03,921.288949 --> 00:27:14,651.288449 And do you have any last pieces of advice that you'd give anyone about grant writing or about other services, you know, related to what you do? Yes. 299 00:27:14,651.288449 --> 00:27:17,831.288949 I always like to tell people that grants are not your first. 300 00:27:18,586.288949 --> 00:27:22,6.288949 Way of bringing in funds for your organization. 301 00:27:22,6.288949 --> 00:27:24,246.288949 I know a lot of people are like, I got my 501c3. 302 00:27:24,246.288949 --> 00:27:25,796.288949 So let's start applying for grants. 303 00:27:26,176.288949 --> 00:27:27,936.288949 Just understanding that is a process. 304 00:27:27,976.288949 --> 00:27:38,706.288949 They want to see that your organization has impact and financials and your, you know, have financial stability and that you have multiple streams of revenue coming in for your organization. 305 00:27:39,166.288949 --> 00:27:47,166.288949 That's another question on when an application is like, how are you going to sustain this program? Once these grant funds go away, your answer should be apply for more grants. 306 00:27:47,176.288949 --> 00:27:57,606.287949 So definitely think about other ways to bring in funds for your organization and then utilize those streams, leverage that to apply for grants. 307 00:27:57,636.287949 --> 00:28:01,756.288949 Grants should not be your first revenue stream for your organization. 308 00:28:01,756.288949 --> 00:28:05,706.288949 Now, of course, there may be some a funder that may want to support your work that you're doing. 309 00:28:05,706.288949 --> 00:28:13,236.287949 Of course, absolutely, you want to take advantage of that, but don't let that be your first line of defense and just like, oh, we're ready to apply for grants. 310 00:28:13,266.287949 --> 00:28:16,996.287949 So just understand that it is a process and grants take time. 311 00:28:17,566.288949 --> 00:28:20,576.288949 Personally, I think they took seven months to respond. 312 00:28:20,576.288949 --> 00:28:23,806.287949 The Department of Education grant we were waiting on took about six or seven months. 313 00:28:23,816.287949 --> 00:28:29,851.288949 So it's not a quick, A quick win or any to even know that you want. 314 00:28:29,861.288949 --> 00:28:32,1.288949 So they it definitely is a process. 315 00:28:32,11.288949 --> 00:28:33,651.288949 So just just something to think about. 316 00:28:34,381.288949 --> 00:28:35,41.288949 Amen. 317 00:28:35,61.287949 --> 00:28:35,541.287949 Amen. 318 00:28:35,561.287949 --> 00:28:35,981.287949 Amen. 319 00:28:36,71.288949 --> 00:28:37,1.287949 All of that. 320 00:28:37,41.288949 --> 00:28:41,491.288949 That's why nonprofit 411 exists because grants are part of a larger strategy. 321 00:28:41,791.288949 --> 00:28:49,561.287949 So we help organizations develop that larger strategy and make sure they're taking advantage of all the funding streams available to nonprofits. 322 00:28:49,581.288949 --> 00:28:57,291.288949 So thank you for reiterating that for Our listeners and thank you so much for being on the show today. 323 00:28:57,291.288949 --> 00:28:58,781.3222823 I've really enjoyed it. 324 00:28:58,781.3222823 --> 00:28:59,291.2556156 Absolutely. 325 00:28:59,291.2556156 --> 00:29:01,261.288949 It was great talking about grants. 326 00:29:01,261.288949 --> 00:29:02,441.288949 I could talk about it all day. 327 00:29:02,951.288949 --> 00:29:04,761.288949 Yeah, me too, probably. 328 00:29:05,361.288949 --> 00:29:06,931.287949 So, well, thank you so much. 329 00:29:06,931.288949 --> 00:29:09,401.287949 And to our listeners, we hope you join again next week. 330 00:29:09,401.288949 --> 00:29:10,311.287949 Have a great day. 331 00:29:10,381.287949 --> 00:29:10,701.287949 Bye. 332 00:29:17,86.288949 --> 00:29:20,126.288949 Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit 411 podcast. 333 00:29:20,206.288949 --> 00:29:26,536.288949 I hope today's conversation with our nonprofit professionals and experts left you feeling inspired and equipped to move forward with confidence. 334 00:29:27,76.287949 --> 00:29:33,596.288949 If you're ready to build a customized fundraising strategy or want support as you implement it, Nonprofit 411 is here for you. 335 00:29:33,986.287949 --> 00:29:35,776.287949 Visit nonprofit411. 336 00:29:35,806.288949 --> 00:29:37,756.288949 org to learn how we can partner with you. 337 00:29:38,6.288949 --> 00:29:40,226.288949 Until next time, keep working towards your mission. 338 00:29:40,476.288949 --> 00:29:41,386.288949 You've got this.
Welcome to the Nonprofit 411 podcast, the podcast where we speak with nonprofit professionals and experts to uncover strategies, share insights, and tackle the challenges you face in fundraising and sustainability. 2 00:00:12,579.999 --> 00:00:17,040 I'm Sarah Barton, your fundraising growth partner and the founder of Nonprofit 411. 3 00:00:17,489.999 --> 00:00:24,050 My mission is to help you develop tailored strategies and support you as you implement them, ensuring your nonprofit thrives.
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Let's dive into today's episode and learn from the experiences and expertise of those who have been in your shoes. 5 00:00:36,871.29244898 --> 00:00:40,111.19244898 Hello, welcome to this week's nonprofit 411. 6 00:00:40,111.29244898 --> 00:00:43,451.29244898 I'm Sarah, your host, and I am so excited to be with you today. 7 00:00:43,861.29244898 --> 00:00:50,211.29244898 Today we are joined by DeaRonda Harrison, president and founder of June 1st Firm. 8 00:00:50,811.29244898 --> 00:00:51,621.29244898 Welcome. 9 00:00:52,211.29244898 --> 00:00:53,501.29144898 Hi, welcome. 10 00:00:53,521.29144898 --> 00:00:54,611.29144898 Thanks for having me. 11 00:00:55,241.29244898 --> 00:00:57,991.29244898 Yes, I'm very excited to have this conversation. 12 00:00:58,71.29244898 --> 00:01:02,321.29244898 There are some similarities in our background that I hope we can explore. 13 00:01:02,771.29244898 --> 00:01:15,261.29244898 So I always start my podcast with my favorite question, which is what is your favorite hobby? I always struggle to answer this question because I'm like, I feel like I work too much, but I do have things that I enjoy doing. 14 00:01:15,261.29244898 --> 00:01:19,411.29244898 I love going to concerts, shows, I like small venues. 15 00:01:19,791.29144898 --> 00:01:30,871.29044898 So, I do like going to see, I'm an R& B girlie, and then I also love to travel, of course, anywhere tropical, anywhere warm, especially right now. 16 00:01:31,171.29144898 --> 00:01:34,201.29144898 I do love to try to get away at least a couple times a year. 17 00:01:34,941.29144898 --> 00:01:35,741.29144898 Oh, that's good. 18 00:01:35,821.29144898 --> 00:01:36,431.29144898 That's good. 19 00:01:36,731.29144898 --> 00:01:37,241.29144898 Yeah. 20 00:01:37,281.29144898 --> 00:01:39,171.29144898 I I used to work. 21 00:01:39,171.29144898 --> 00:01:44,751.29144898 I definitely am a recovering workaholic, so I can understand that being the primary hobby. 22 00:01:44,771.29144898 --> 00:01:51,121.29144898 And sometimes I fall into that habit again, but I think it's really important to have a good work health. 23 00:01:51,481.29144898 --> 00:01:52,901.29144898 Work life balance. 24 00:01:52,911.29144898 --> 00:02:00,411.29144898 So I do try to wrap up my day and then not open the computer again after saying it. 25 00:02:01,211.29144898 --> 00:02:01,541.29144898 Yeah. 26 00:02:02,401.29144898 --> 00:02:07,291.29144898 So, and I'm all about the warmth where, where are you located at Atlanta, Georgia. 27 00:02:08,171.29144898 --> 00:02:11,871.29144898 Oh, and you, so you guys are in an unusual state of cold right now. 28 00:02:11,881.29144898 --> 00:02:14,661.29144898 We're recording in January, right? Yes. 29 00:02:14,691.29144898 --> 00:02:15,811.29144898 Unusually cold. 30 00:02:15,831.29144898 --> 00:02:16,401.29144898 Yes. 31 00:02:16,501.29144898 --> 00:02:17,111.29144898 Very cold. 32 00:02:17,971.29144898 --> 00:02:18,831.29094898 I'm in West Virginia. 33 00:02:18,831.29094898 --> 00:02:23,841.29144898 So we have typically a winter, but you know, not like some, I saw a picture today. 34 00:02:23,841.29144898 --> 00:02:26,241.29144898 It's January 23rd is when we're recording this. 35 00:02:26,241.29144898 --> 00:02:30,231.29144898 And I saw a picture of Florida with snow on the beaches. 36 00:02:30,241.29144898 --> 00:02:33,101.29144898 So yeah, they're like, they don't even know what's going on. 37 00:02:34,761.29144898 --> 00:02:36,641.29144898 I always think of the children and like. 38 00:02:37,91.29144898 --> 00:02:41,91.29144898 That first time you see snow, it's so amazing. 39 00:02:41,211.29144898 --> 00:02:46,901.29144898 And, you know, so every once in a while, every lifetime needs to have an unexpected snow storm. 40 00:02:47,381.29144898 --> 00:02:47,821.29144898 Exactly. 41 00:02:48,521.29044898 --> 00:02:50,41.29144898 It's fun when it's unexpected. 42 00:02:51,231.29144898 --> 00:02:51,761.29144898 Yeah. 43 00:02:51,871.29144898 --> 00:03:01,421.29144898 So, well, so tell me a little bit about June 1st Firm and about your you know, your background and kind of how you got into the work that you're currently doing. 44 00:03:02,391.29144898 --> 00:03:14,111.29144898 Yeah, June 1st Firm started, well, we're in the beginning of 2025, so pretty much 10 years ago, 2014, and I started volunteering like a volunteer grant writer working at helping them. 45 00:03:14,901.29144898 --> 00:03:16,991.29144898 Education nonprofit in my community. 46 00:03:17,221.29144898 --> 00:03:24,351.29144898 They were actually applying for a big federal grant and I was working closely with the, the grant writer. 47 00:03:24,611.29044898 --> 00:03:29,511.29144898 She was just kind of like giving me the rope, showing me how to, how this whole thing goes and what to do. 48 00:03:29,611.29044898 --> 00:03:30,991.29144898 I was very green. 49 00:03:30,991.29144898 --> 00:03:33,261.29094898 I didn't know, and I was just helping them out. 50 00:03:33,261.29094898 --> 00:03:38,21.29044898 And then of course I just continued to support them ongoing for additional grants. 51 00:03:38,61.29044898 --> 00:03:41,151.29044898 They applied to a number of like public funding sources. 52 00:03:41,151.29044898 --> 00:03:43,511.29044898 So I always say I got started. 53 00:03:44,201.29144898 --> 00:03:51,551.29144898 On that 1st, big, complex federal grant, and I continue to stay in there for some odd reason. 54 00:03:51,551.29144898 --> 00:03:57,351.29144898 They didn't scare me away and just continue to work with nonprofits and capacities specifically around grants. 55 00:03:57,381.29144898 --> 00:04:00,551.29144898 And I know fundraising is so broad, but my specialty. 56 00:04:01,201.29144898 --> 00:04:08,286.19144898 My service is specifically June 1st for we offer grant writing services and a lot of my clients come to me for the federal grants. 57 00:04:08,706.29144898 --> 00:04:14,66.29144898 But we do everything we do private foundation corporate and your federal grants as well. 58 00:04:14,66.29144898 --> 00:04:19,566.29144898 So I kind of always say I kind of fail into grant writing have people that asked me about it and. 59 00:04:20,146.29144898 --> 00:04:23,386.29144898 if I could help them get some grants for their organization. 60 00:04:23,386.29144898 --> 00:04:32,536.29144898 So I just started to look into it, research it, and then I saw the opportunity with the local non profit in my community, and that's how I pretty much got started. 61 00:04:33,486.29144898 --> 00:04:34,26.29144898 Yeah. 62 00:04:34,46.29144898 --> 00:04:36,656.29144898 So I think everyone falls into fundraising. 63 00:04:36,786.29044898 --> 00:04:42,6.29144898 I don't think any of us are groomed from, from youth to be a fundraiser. 64 00:04:42,136.29144898 --> 00:04:44,616.29144898 That's what I've found as I've interviewed fundraisers. 65 00:04:45,36.29144898 --> 00:04:53,136.29144898 And I find it really interesting that you've kind of landed With an expertise in the federal area. 66 00:04:53,136.29144898 --> 00:04:56,646.29144898 It's definitely the area where a lot of people do shy away from. 67 00:04:56,646.29144898 --> 00:05:02,466.29144898 But in my grant writing experience, I was hired at a university to do grant writing. 68 00:05:02,466.29144898 --> 00:05:04,476.29144898 I didn't know much about grant writing. 69 00:05:04,876.29144898 --> 00:05:09,796.29144898 And I think I was probably a couple years in when I got my first federal grant. 70 00:05:09,976.29144898 --> 00:05:13,306.29144898 They don't scare me, but they are a lot of work. 71 00:05:13,566.29144898 --> 00:05:14,706.29144898 Yeah, they are. 72 00:05:14,946.29144898 --> 00:05:15,517.29144898 I would say you just. 73 00:05:16,221.29144898 --> 00:05:19,481.29144898 It's like putting together a puzzle and you just gotta have a plan. 74 00:05:19,511.29144898 --> 00:05:25,81.29144898 I actually prefer them but it is a process to completing a federal grant application. 75 00:05:25,851.29044898 --> 00:05:26,281.29044898 Yeah. 76 00:05:26,711.29144898 --> 00:05:38,371.29044898 I think the, the beauty about the federal grants is that you have the opportunity to really invest in your organization in big ways, right? A lot of those grants are bigger. 77 00:05:38,811.29044898 --> 00:05:39,171.29044898 Yes. 78 00:05:39,181.29044898 --> 00:05:39,611.29044898 And. 79 00:05:40,516.29144898 --> 00:05:40,856.29144898 Go ahead. 80 00:05:41,316.29144898 --> 00:05:41,606.29144898 I don't know. 81 00:05:41,616.29144898 --> 00:05:52,286.29144898 I was gonna say it really helps them talk through their programming in a lot on a larger scale and how they're evaluating their outcomes and things like that, which is something they may not have gone into. 82 00:05:52,636.29144898 --> 00:06:00,596.29144898 D on other applications, or even if it's just their 1st grant, but definitely helps them talk about their program in a bigger picture. 83 00:06:00,596.29144898 --> 00:06:06,776.29144898 And really, can you utilize that information moving forward? It's it's I always say it's very beneficial either. 84 00:06:07,96.29044898 --> 00:06:08,886.29144898 Unfortunately, you know, if you don't get the grant. 85 00:06:09,291.29144898 --> 00:06:11,941.29144898 But you can definitely utilize that information moving forward. 86 00:06:12,631.29144898 --> 00:06:13,161.29144898 Yeah. 87 00:06:13,381.29144898 --> 00:06:17,131.29144898 Do you have any agencies that you specialize in? Yeah. 88 00:06:17,131.29144898 --> 00:06:20,501.29144898 I do a number of HRSA grants, which is like health resources. 89 00:06:20,531.29144898 --> 00:06:20,801.29144898 Yes. 90 00:06:21,71.29144898 --> 00:06:22,391.29144898 They're my favorite. 91 00:06:22,691.29044898 --> 00:06:22,801.29044898 Yeah. 92 00:06:23,1.29144898 --> 00:06:24,571.29144898 I don't know why I'm like, I like HRSA grants. 93 00:06:24,891.29144898 --> 00:06:30,61.29144898 And then HSS, HUD I've done a ton of Department of Education, DOE grants as well. 94 00:06:30,61.29144898 --> 00:06:36,321.29144898 So, but lately I've done some DOJ, a lot of like OVW, Office of Violence Against Women. 95 00:06:36,791.29144898 --> 00:06:40,81.29144898 I've been enjoying doing some of those because that work is so critical, but. 96 00:06:40,591.29144898 --> 00:06:44,381.29144898 I don't have a specialty per se, but I do have like some favorites. 97 00:06:44,991.29144898 --> 00:06:49,851.29144898 Yeah, HRSA is one of my favorites because I think that they support their grantees really well. 98 00:06:50,371.29144898 --> 00:06:57,341.29144898 So in the follow up on the other side, I've also done department of ed and worked on some DOJ ones. 99 00:06:58,351.29144898 --> 00:06:59,231.29144898 I think that. 100 00:06:59,656.29144898 --> 00:07:14,346.29044898 For our listeners, what they might not realize is that each of those departments are unique in that it's not like you apply for a federal grant, and it goes into the big pot and then is split out. 101 00:07:14,626.29144898 --> 00:07:21,326.29044898 It's actually that you find the the department, and then see what that department has available. 102 00:07:21,566.29044898 --> 00:07:29,876.29044898 You can search by keywords and stuff, you know, on You know, but that each department is actually different and they actually have different requirements and grant processes. 103 00:07:29,946.29044898 --> 00:07:34,396.29044898 I mean, it's like a whole nother, it's completely different from department to department. 104 00:07:34,396.39044898 --> 00:07:36,356.28944898 So you, yeah, just knowing that is. 105 00:07:36,826.29044898 --> 00:07:37,656.29044898 The first step. 106 00:07:37,806.29044898 --> 00:07:38,886.29044898 That's exactly right. 107 00:07:39,756.29044898 --> 00:07:40,116.29044898 Yeah. 108 00:07:40,136.29044898 --> 00:07:42,76.29044898 Not all are created equal. 109 00:07:42,96.29044898 --> 00:07:43,176.29044898 Not at all. 110 00:07:44,606.28944898 --> 00:07:51,166.29044898 So tell me what are some of the favorite projects that you've gotten funded? Oh, that's a good question. 111 00:07:51,186.29044898 --> 00:08:18,536.29144898 I've noticed recently, like, I type these word trend, but noticing funders, especially your federal public funding, they like When organizations come in as a collaborative or a coalition, I know you always mention in your applications who you partner with and things like that, but this is actually like we are a Multiple organizations coming in as 1 group, so to speak, and we have multiple staff members from our organization in the budget. 112 00:08:18,546.29144898 --> 00:08:20,506.29144898 So, 1 grant was recently funded. 113 00:08:20,566.29144898 --> 00:08:25,36.29144898 Well, it's been about a year now for the grand idea for organization based out of Maryland. 114 00:08:25,36.29144898 --> 00:08:26,106.29144898 They're a housing agency. 115 00:08:26,106.29144898 --> 00:08:28,296.29144898 They partner with 2 health agencies. 116 00:08:28,636.29144898 --> 00:08:30,546.29144898 It was a social determinative health grant. 117 00:08:30,676.29144898 --> 00:08:36,796.29144898 Out of the state and because they went in as that coalition, they were awarded a multi million dollar grant. 118 00:08:36,806.29144898 --> 00:08:45,196.29044898 So that was one that I was proud of because it was, it was a sometimes it can be challenging to get organizations to kind of work like that. 119 00:08:45,206.29144898 --> 00:08:52,621.29144898 They'll understand like, yes, we partner with them, but to actually Put them in the budget, knowing some of these funds are going to be distributed to them. 120 00:08:52,651.29144898 --> 00:08:55,411.29144898 It can be a little scary for them, I guess, maybe. 121 00:08:55,801.29144898 --> 00:09:10,441.29144898 So I, I'm proud of that and just really helping other organizations understand, like, it's okay to work together, even though they say they know that and they understand that sometimes when it actually comes down to it, it can be a bit challenging for them. 122 00:09:10,441.29144898 --> 00:09:15,541.29144898 So that was one that, and it was nice to see the state understand that, you know. 123 00:09:16,91.29144898 --> 00:09:33,601.29144898 There are all these different reasons people aren't in housing or they're experiencing homelessness because of their health or because of not having a job, like all of these different reasons, not having access to food is hindering them from housing and then not having housing affects their health. 124 00:09:33,621.29144898 --> 00:09:40,711.29044898 So I'm just, it was just nice to know that government supported that, understood that and actually funded that work. 125 00:09:42,226.29144898 --> 00:09:43,206.29144898 I see the same thing. 126 00:09:43,206.29144898 --> 00:09:55,946.29144898 And I, I am, that's another reason I love HRSA is because I've gotten to attend several of their conferences and they are such promoters of organizations working together well. 127 00:09:56,166.29144898 --> 00:10:10,841.29244898 And I think that the average person may not realize how much effort the federal government does put into trying to get organizations to Maximize their impact by working together. 128 00:10:10,841.29244898 --> 00:10:17,801.29144898 And I love what you just said about making sure organizations are funded together. 129 00:10:17,831.29244898 --> 00:10:18,201.29244898 Right. 130 00:10:18,211.29244898 --> 00:10:19,421.29244898 And it is hard. 131 00:10:19,501.29244898 --> 00:10:35,131.29244898 Someone has to be willing to take a little bit of a risk, but it's so beautiful when it happens because The outcomes for the individuals receiving the services really are neat. 132 00:10:35,611.29244898 --> 00:10:36,881.29244898 It pays off in the end. 133 00:10:36,881.29244898 --> 00:10:47,371.19244898 And I always tell people to think about them, the client, because a lot of times people are like, well, we partner with them, but we don't, you know, really know them like that, or, you know, not. 134 00:10:47,501.29244898 --> 00:10:49,421.29244898 Don't we haven't done any work together. 135 00:10:49,421.29244898 --> 00:10:51,491.29244898 And I'm like, let this be that project. 136 00:10:51,821.29244898 --> 00:10:53,61.29244898 You know, let's give it a try. 137 00:10:53,71.29244898 --> 00:10:54,381.29244898 I always say doesn't hurt to try. 138 00:10:54,381.29244898 --> 00:10:57,121.29244898 And of course, if it doesn't work out, you just won't work with them again. 139 00:10:57,121.29244898 --> 00:11:03,901.29344898 But a lot of a lot of times you definitely have to be innovative and forward thinking to go into applications like that. 140 00:11:03,901.29444898 --> 00:11:07,71.29244898 And this organization was they had, you know, they have great leadership. 141 00:11:07,771.29244898 --> 00:11:09,326.19344898 And it paid off in the end. 142 00:11:10,546.29344898 --> 00:11:22,326.29344898 Yeah, that leadership piece is such, such a key part, you know, because, because someone does have to take a risk to say, I'm going to, I'm willing to manage this money for all of these organizations. 143 00:11:22,816.29344898 --> 00:11:25,796.29344898 But it doesn't have to be really scary. 144 00:11:25,836.29244898 --> 00:11:51,871.29344898 I can say in my work, it's Much easier for several smaller organizations to come together than to have some of the like large conglomerate organizations because the large conglomerate organizations have so many departments that you have to work with, where if you're just working with like somebody smaller it's much more flexible, right? Exactly. 145 00:11:51,871.29344898 --> 00:11:53,331.29344898 That's actually a very good point. 146 00:11:53,371.29244898 --> 00:11:54,391.29244898 I'm glad you said that. 147 00:11:54,431.29344898 --> 00:12:09,211.29344898 The smaller nonprofits coming together, especially when you, you know, you're smaller and you may not be ready for that big federal grant, definitely partnering with other going in as a coalition with other nonprofits can definitely increase your chances of success. 148 00:12:09,221.29344898 --> 00:12:10,761.29344898 So that's a very good point too. 149 00:12:11,331.29344898 --> 00:12:11,731.29344898 Yeah. 150 00:12:11,941.29344898 --> 00:12:36,471.29244898 So what other, what other observations do you have about organizations and grant writing that you would like to share with our listeners? I find that a lot of times they struggle with not only talking about their work, but the point, I always say, so what, like you're doing this great thing, you're serving children or you're helping seniors or you're helping women that have been victims of sexual assault. 151 00:12:36,471.29244898 --> 00:12:37,831.29294898 You're like, well, duh, common sense. 152 00:12:37,831.29294898 --> 00:12:46,661.29294898 You want to help these people, but you're always having to prove the reason why you're doing it, really showing the statistics in your region, in your area how they're, you know, really. 153 00:12:47,501.29294898 --> 00:12:56,801.29294898 I hate to say bad, but they have a, you know, very bad statistics or very poor reflection on people that you're serving and their lack of access to resources. 154 00:12:57,101.29294898 --> 00:13:09,221.29294898 So really highlighting that in every grant has a area where you can talk about your need that what I call the need statement of a problem statement really talking that up to show that there is a problem a true problem. 155 00:13:09,506.29294898 --> 00:13:25,326.29294898 Just making sure that that's being communicated, because you may know that, but a lot of times it may just may not be communicated, and I'm just saying, once you get that data, just repeating it over and over again, and I'm in your grant application, and then also how you're evaluating your program. 156 00:13:25,326.29294898 --> 00:13:31,616.29294898 I see a lot of nonprofits don't even talk about that at all in their, in their grant application. 157 00:13:31,646.29294898 --> 00:13:38,231.29294898 So how you're, Evaluating your programming, how you know that it's making a difference. 158 00:13:38,251.29294898 --> 00:13:51,341.29194898 What feedback are you collecting from clients? If it's like human services, what items are you collecting? What tools are you utilizing? So I see those are some areas a lot of nonprofits struggle with. 159 00:13:51,351.29294898 --> 00:13:53,661.29294898 So when we talk about your need. 160 00:13:53,971.29294898 --> 00:13:59,441.29294898 And the impact and also like your evaluation, your evaluation of your programmatic services. 161 00:14:00,341.29294898 --> 00:14:00,791.29294898 Yeah. 162 00:14:00,791.29294898 --> 00:14:20,391.29294898 And I think that grant opportunities are such a great opportunity for organizations to bring in outside consultants, like bring in people to help you because you don't have all the skills or even if you do, and this is the thing, even if you do have the skills or you could figure it out. 163 00:14:20,996.29294898 --> 00:14:26,866.29294898 It can be really, really meaningful to have someone from the outside lay fresh eyes on your organization. 164 00:14:26,866.39294898 --> 00:14:28,906.29294898 And so, yeah. 165 00:14:29,6.29294898 --> 00:14:33,26.29294898 So these big grants allow us to, to do that. 166 00:14:33,26.29294898 --> 00:14:41,721.29294898 And I think it is helpful for organizations to be really thoughtful about about doing that because Yeah, and sharing. 167 00:14:41,781.29294898 --> 00:14:59,351.29294898 How about sharing the information out? Do you build into your your projects like ways to share the information out to other organizations and and to the community? I know a lot of times they have their annual reports or impact reports, they call them. 168 00:14:59,691.29294898 --> 00:15:03,151.29294898 That's a lot of ways that they share that information out and I've noticed. 169 00:15:03,456.29294898 --> 00:15:10,106.29294898 Some things that we've written that we partnered together collaborated on to come up with some data, some outcomes. 170 00:15:10,116.29294898 --> 00:15:12,156.29194898 They have definitely put that on their website. 171 00:15:12,426.29194898 --> 00:15:14,796.29294898 They've added that to like their annual report. 172 00:15:14,806.29194898 --> 00:15:19,326.29244898 So that's definitely information they share out with their donors, their stakeholders at their organization. 173 00:15:19,326.29244898 --> 00:15:29,626.29344898 So, that's something, even though it's not intentionally the, the purpose, it is outcome of benefit for getting those outside fresh set of eyes. 174 00:15:29,626.29344898 --> 00:15:31,626.29344898 And I always say that if sometimes, even if you like. 175 00:15:32,76.29344898 --> 00:15:53,636.29344898 You just know you may not can afford a grant, right? Or I always say hire them for like a project period of time to apply for three or four grants or do a big grant for you and I'm taking that information and just utilizing and moving forward, but isn't someone that you have to pay for several months, but just to get that outside fresh set of eyes. 176 00:15:54,116.29344898 --> 00:15:55,386.29344898 And just have somebody come in. 177 00:15:55,396.29344898 --> 00:15:57,866.29344898 And honestly, because I do this all the time. 178 00:15:57,866.29344898 --> 00:16:05,86.29344898 It's something that I could do much quicker than someone else that, you know, just doesn't just do this on a regular basis. 179 00:16:05,811.29344898 --> 00:16:06,191.29344898 Yeah. 180 00:16:06,431.29344898 --> 00:16:06,711.29344898 Yeah. 181 00:16:06,711.29344898 --> 00:16:10,171.29344898 And you start to build your process and have your checklist and, you know, yeah. 182 00:16:10,241.29344898 --> 00:16:13,81.29344898 And you have examples of like other options. 183 00:16:13,91.29344898 --> 00:16:19,821.29294898 That's what I think is fun about grant writing is that you get to see how other organizations do it well. 184 00:16:19,821.29294898 --> 00:16:25,121.29344898 And some of the challenges too, that they experience and you can help others avoid it. 185 00:16:25,731.29344898 --> 00:16:26,371.29344898 Exactly. 186 00:16:26,371.29344898 --> 00:16:26,551.29344898 Yeah. 187 00:16:26,551.29344898 --> 00:16:32,481.29344898 And it's just giving them even some feedback on ways to evaluate their program or services that they may have not even thought about. 188 00:16:32,571.29344898 --> 00:16:33,611.29244898 That's typically. 189 00:16:33,991.29344898 --> 00:16:45,881.293449 Not anything too complex or cumbersome or something that they may be implementing, they just may not be collecting it so just really helping them with their process improvement altogether. 190 00:16:46,731.293449 --> 00:16:54,221.292449 So I have something I've experienced and I just want to see if you have had similar experiences because I think it's really an interesting conversation piece. 191 00:16:54,771.292449 --> 00:17:09,261.292449 In my experience, I have, I advise my My clients, you know, don't ever write the job description for a specific person because there's a good possibility that personal change before the grant is over. 192 00:17:09,721.291449 --> 00:17:14,621.291949 Have you, have you ever seen that or experienced it? Yeah, that's a good point. 193 00:17:14,621.291949 --> 00:17:23,61.292449 I, ask them to write the job description based on what actually needs to be done in a reasonable manner. 194 00:17:23,61.292449 --> 00:17:29,281.291449 So, I've seen terrible grant writing, grant descriptions, or grant writing job descriptions. 195 00:17:29,281.291449 --> 00:17:30,901.292449 And then I've seen some that are really good. 196 00:17:30,901.292449 --> 00:17:32,891.292449 And that's another thing I also share. 197 00:17:33,181.292449 --> 00:17:35,981.291449 A lot of times I'll come in as the organization. 198 00:17:36,21.291449 --> 00:17:38,261.291449 I may work with them for maybe six or nine months. 199 00:17:38,666.291449 --> 00:17:46,576.291449 As a consultant, and then they'll take the level of grants that we completed, and they may bring they want to bring someone in house. 200 00:17:47,11.291449 --> 00:18:00,411.291449 So that's one of the benefits I share with anyone who works with me, a sample job description, because again, I've seen some that aren't written very well and the bad ones can actually repel good talent. 201 00:18:00,421.291449 --> 00:18:03,981.290449 So that's why it's so important that you have a well written job description. 202 00:18:03,981.291449 --> 00:18:06,391.290449 And I always say for grant writing, but for anything. 203 00:18:06,791.290449 --> 00:18:07,271.290449 So. 204 00:18:07,906.290449 --> 00:18:12,946.290449 We definitely, to your point, Sarah, don't want to tailor it for that one person because I mean, it can go away. 205 00:18:13,756.290449 --> 00:18:14,256.290449 Yeah. 206 00:18:14,406.290449 --> 00:18:14,826.290449 Yeah. 207 00:18:15,16.290449 --> 00:18:21,956.289949 I've seen, so particularly in higher education, I've seen grants that are really specific to a person. 208 00:18:21,956.289949 --> 00:18:29,686.290449 So they might say like this job requires somebody with a PhD and 15 years of experience in this. 209 00:18:30,176.290449 --> 00:18:35,886.290449 So they make that part of their qualifications and they have a person on staff that they anticipate moving into that. 210 00:18:36,31.290449 --> 00:18:36,551.290449 position. 211 00:18:36,861.290449 --> 00:18:41,901.290449 And maybe that person does move into the position, but something happens maybe one or two years into the grant. 212 00:18:42,291.290449 --> 00:18:49,971.290449 And they have this really unrealistic job description that they're now like, they can't fill it easily. 213 00:18:49,971.390449 --> 00:19:06,206.389449 And particularly with, like I said, higher ed, I find that But I've actually experienced it in other grants to don't be surprised if on a federal grant that's four years long, you have some transition of employment during the grant. 214 00:19:06,436.390449 --> 00:19:08,586.390449 Yeah, yeah, it's definitely possible. 215 00:19:08,596.390449 --> 00:19:19,366.390449 And being open to even degree, what the degree is in, I've seen where they want you to have a degree in like journalism and the grant writer or something like that. 216 00:19:19,416.390449 --> 00:19:20,306.390449 So I mean, I don't. 217 00:19:20,966.390449 --> 00:19:24,356.390449 Every grant writer, I know that everybody's background is different. 218 00:19:24,666.390449 --> 00:19:27,76.390449 And some are still very great quality grant writers. 219 00:19:27,76.390449 --> 00:19:28,66.390449 They're just being open. 220 00:19:28,106.390449 --> 00:19:30,786.390949 I always wanted to say, I just wanted to say that as well. 221 00:19:30,786.390949 --> 00:19:34,356.389949 Don't be stuck to like, they have to have a degree and it has to be in this. 222 00:19:34,406.390949 --> 00:19:36,896.289949 I'm even, I mean, they'll say preferred. 223 00:19:37,196.290949 --> 00:19:41,686.289949 And then I've also seen like, they want you to have a degree in this specific area. 224 00:19:42,496.289949 --> 00:19:42,936.289949 Yeah. 225 00:19:43,126.289949 --> 00:19:43,486.289949 Yeah. 226 00:19:43,566.290949 --> 00:19:46,766.290949 I think preferred is definitely language to consider. 227 00:19:47,166.290949 --> 00:19:56,106.290949 I think another area when it comes to federal grants, and I don't know how much you work with recipients after they've received the grant, so you, you can tell me, but. 228 00:19:56,256.290949 --> 00:19:57,646.289949 Reporting, management. 229 00:19:59,586.290949 --> 00:20:06,796.288949 So another area I've seen in grants is that people are really afraid to ask for budget changes. 230 00:20:07,676.289949 --> 00:20:11,696.289949 And sometimes budget changes are necessary. 231 00:20:12,236.289949 --> 00:20:27,266.189949 And what is your experience when you have, when you actually need a budget change from the funders perspective? How does the funder feel about doing budget changes? Yeah, the bunch, I mean, they're actually, I've had that happen a number of times. 232 00:20:27,266.289949 --> 00:20:33,746.289949 And once you just communicated to the funder, you tell them what you want, the reasoning, they've never come back and said no. 233 00:20:33,786.289949 --> 00:20:34,776.289949 So I always say. 234 00:20:35,101.289949 --> 00:20:36,141.289949 It's okay. 235 00:20:36,141.289949 --> 00:20:37,371.289949 They, they're people. 236 00:20:37,371.289949 --> 00:20:38,651.289949 They want you to communicate with them. 237 00:20:38,651.289949 --> 00:20:40,281.289949 They want you to share challenges. 238 00:20:40,701.289949 --> 00:20:49,771.289949 There's been a number of, back to your point, federal grants where we had staff who were supposed to be on the grant by this date. 239 00:20:49,771.289949 --> 00:20:53,531.288949 And we've been in the grant a year and a half, and we still don't have anyone on that grant. 240 00:20:53,531.288949 --> 00:20:59,366.289949 But if we are communicating to our program officer, even though they look different, Or sounds bad. 241 00:20:59,376.289949 --> 00:21:07,346.289949 They're actually okay with that, especially if it's a difficult job or difficult job to hire for just sharing them what's going on. 242 00:21:07,356.288949 --> 00:21:08,386.289949 These are our plans. 243 00:21:08,386.289949 --> 00:21:11,26.289449 We have some people on the docket that we're going to interview. 244 00:21:11,26.289449 --> 00:21:12,646.289449 They should be getting started around this time. 245 00:21:12,646.289449 --> 00:21:14,856.288949 Just communicating all those different things. 246 00:21:14,916.289949 --> 00:21:16,76.288949 Budget changes. 247 00:21:17,156.288949 --> 00:21:21,406.289949 I've never had anyone just completely say absolutely no. 248 00:21:21,756.289949 --> 00:21:26,186.289949 But once we communicated and share what we would like to update the budget to, they always approve it. 249 00:21:26,976.289949 --> 00:21:31,756.289949 Yeah, I, I think that's so helpful for our listeners to hear because I agree. 250 00:21:32,36.289949 --> 00:21:50,946.289949 I actually find that the funders are very appreciative that you're not spending the money on something you don't really need and you're actually reallocating it to something you need more or, or differently, right? Because sometimes these grants take a long time to be funded. 251 00:21:51,136.289949 --> 00:21:52,6.289949 That's another thing. 252 00:21:52,146.289949 --> 00:21:56,516.289949 Sometimes the grants take a long time to be funded and change. 253 00:21:56,516.289949 --> 00:21:58,271.289949 You're, you're commu, you know, you're, yeah. 254 00:21:58,271.289949 --> 00:22:12,66.289949 Things change, right? Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Mm-hmm Yeah, so I'm glad that you have had that experience too, because I do find that grantees should not be afraid of communicating with funders about changes at their organization. 255 00:22:12,66.289949 --> 00:22:18,846.289949 In fact, grant grantors or funders really want to hear that stuff, and they, they value that. 256 00:22:21,146.289949 --> 00:22:37,516.289949 Tell me, what your experience is like, how much do funders like to hear about the grant project? Do you, you know, is it like once in the lifetime of the grant or how do they prefer to be communicated with? Yeah, they prefer communication. 257 00:22:37,516.289949 --> 00:22:56,136.288949 Of course, they don't want you, you know, contacting them every day, but just updates especially if it's a federal grant and it's multi year, once a quarter you'd be surprised, a quarter rolls around pretty quickly, but just giving them updates on that, and even with some of those federal grants, they require quarterly reporting, so that is your way to update them. 258 00:22:56,156.288949 --> 00:23:15,266.288949 Going back to your point with, like, changing budget, we may even Being like we wanted to hire like a coordinator, but our team has been coming together, essentially doing the job of a coordinator just different staff people we all know nonprofits, a lot of times are wearing multiple half hats of staff people. 259 00:23:15,611.288949 --> 00:23:40,111.288949 So the funder may even say it's okay to redirect those funds to I know in the grant budget you have incentives for clients that come out to like some of the training sessions or any types of program if you want to use some of those funds for additional incentives for clients we we notice that that's been a benefit for them based on the report that you share so sometimes funders will even give you an idea or suggestion that what you can do with the money I know what COVID happened. 260 00:23:40,581.288949 --> 00:23:43,431.288949 As soon as that happened, a lot of funders are redirect these funds. 261 00:23:43,441.288949 --> 00:23:58,331.287949 However you see fit, you don't have to use it for this specific reason or this specific project that we initially discussed because of this global pandemic that has happened for, you know, the first time in a lot of our lifetime, you are able to redirect these funds accordingly. 262 00:23:58,331.287949 --> 00:24:05,821.188949 So just letting them know, like keeping them updated as much as possible, but not it. 263 00:24:07,301.288949 --> 00:24:08,561.288949 Bugging them, so to speak. 264 00:24:08,961.288949 --> 00:24:10,981.288949 Yeah, yeah, but I think you're right. 265 00:24:10,981.288949 --> 00:24:20,81.287949 I think the reports are, they're not looking for opportunities to say I gotcha, they're looking for opportunities to brag on you, right? Exactly, yeah. 266 00:24:20,81.387949 --> 00:24:39,596.288949 It's your chance, it's your opportunity to share and again, I stress like Challenges as well, telling them the things that are, you know, you're challenged with and whether that's hiring staff, whether that's not feeling like you would meet the goals or objectives that you just tell them that and the reason why it's okay. 267 00:24:40,581.288949 --> 00:24:40,981.288949 Yeah. 268 00:24:41,121.288949 --> 00:24:41,461.288949 Yeah. 269 00:24:41,731.288949 --> 00:24:42,991.288949 And what I've learned. 270 00:24:43,41.288949 --> 00:24:49,931.288949 So one of the reasons I love HRSA is because I've gone to DC several times to, you know, attend some of their conferences, which is amazing. 271 00:24:50,241.288949 --> 00:24:55,441.287949 And there's so much innovation around the country, but what I've learned is. 272 00:24:55,746.288949 --> 00:25:10,456.287949 How much those departments love to brag on you, right, grant recipient, so they're looking for opportunities to brag on you, just like we look for opportunities to brag on our clients. 273 00:25:11,526.288949 --> 00:25:12,926.287949 Absolutely, that's a good point. 274 00:25:13,316.288949 --> 00:25:18,456.288949 We have a team on those HRSA conferences, but yeah, that's awesome that they, and they want to do that. 275 00:25:18,476.288949 --> 00:25:18,936.288949 So. 276 00:25:19,631.288949 --> 00:25:20,61.288949 Yeah. 277 00:25:20,551.288949 --> 00:25:20,901.288949 Yeah. 278 00:25:21,261.288949 --> 00:25:21,591.288949 Yeah. 279 00:25:21,761.288949 --> 00:25:23,51.288949 They do brag on their people. 280 00:25:23,51.288949 --> 00:25:24,291.288949 It's so, it's so awesome. 281 00:25:24,291.288949 --> 00:25:34,801.288949 And last year when I went, I went to an ARCOR conference, it was really neat because they actually brought in like the different departments and talked about like how they all. 282 00:25:35,221.288949 --> 00:25:51,51.288949 Like how they were separate and how they shared information across it because we think that it's very direct we, you know, in our heads, they all are linked together but in reality they actually work in, you know, different buildings in different towns. 283 00:25:51,211.288949 --> 00:25:51,981.288949 Exactly. 284 00:25:52,181.287949 --> 00:25:53,821.289949 In different offices. 285 00:25:54,211.288949 --> 00:26:06,741.288949 And so They're looking for and they do they take like they take our pictures and they take our stories and they take the data that we send and they present it before Congress and I'm like, wow, that's cool. 286 00:26:06,981.287949 --> 00:26:17,21.288949 So it is really neat to see, you know, just that this is the way that they invest in the people, you know, people. 287 00:26:17,71.288949 --> 00:26:17,501.288949 Exactly. 288 00:26:17,781.288949 --> 00:26:18,221.288949 Yes. 289 00:26:18,711.288949 --> 00:26:20,301.288949 So it's really awesome. 290 00:26:20,741.288949 --> 00:26:31,251.288949 Well, so can you tell us Deronda, like, where people can reach you or how they can get a hold of you if they'd like to interact with you? Yes, you can definitely connect with me on LinkedIn. 291 00:26:31,591.288949 --> 00:26:33,31.288949 I'm pretty active on there. 292 00:26:33,131.288949 --> 00:26:39,271.288949 Deronda Harrison, D E A R O N D A, or you can visit my website, junefirstfirm. 293 00:26:40,671.288949 --> 00:26:44,361.288949 com, J U N E F I R S T F I R E M. 294 00:26:45,701.288949 --> 00:26:48,61.288949 And check out services that we offer. 295 00:26:48,61.288949 --> 00:26:53,71.288949 We work with a lot of clients on monthly retainers so that they don't have to worry about grants. 296 00:26:53,101.288949 --> 00:27:01,661.287949 And they just know that that's been taken care of, but happy to connect with your LinkedIn, feel free to send me a message and let me know that you heard me on nonprofit for one. 297 00:27:02,631.288949 --> 00:27:03,591.288949 Thank you. 298 00:27:03,921.288949 --> 00:27:14,651.288449 And do you have any last pieces of advice that you'd give anyone about grant writing or about other services, you know, related to what you do? Yes. 299 00:27:14,651.288449 --> 00:27:17,831.288949 I always like to tell people that grants are not your first. 300 00:27:18,586.288949 --> 00:27:22,6.288949 Way of bringing in funds for your organization. 301 00:27:22,6.288949 --> 00:27:24,246.288949 I know a lot of people are like, I got my 501c3. 302 00:27:24,246.288949 --> 00:27:25,796.288949 So let's start applying for grants. 303 00:27:26,176.288949 --> 00:27:27,936.288949 Just understanding that is a process. 304 00:27:27,976.288949 --> 00:27:38,706.288949 They want to see that your organization has impact and financials and your, you know, have financial stability and that you have multiple streams of revenue coming in for your organization. 305 00:27:39,166.288949 --> 00:27:47,166.288949 That's another question on when an application is like, how are you going to sustain this program? Once these grant funds go away, your answer should be apply for more grants. 306 00:27:47,176.288949 --> 00:27:57,606.287949 So definitely think about other ways to bring in funds for your organization and then utilize those streams, leverage that to apply for grants. 307 00:27:57,636.287949 --> 00:28:01,756.288949 Grants should not be your first revenue stream for your organization. 308 00:28:01,756.288949 --> 00:28:05,706.288949 Now, of course, there may be some a funder that may want to support your work that you're doing. 309 00:28:05,706.288949 --> 00:28:13,236.287949 Of course, absolutely, you want to take advantage of that, but don't let that be your first line of defense and just like, oh, we're ready to apply for grants. 310 00:28:13,266.287949 --> 00:28:16,996.287949 So just understand that it is a process and grants take time. 311 00:28:17,566.288949 --> 00:28:20,576.288949 Personally, I think they took seven months to respond. 312 00:28:20,576.288949 --> 00:28:23,806.287949 The Department of Education grant we were waiting on took about six or seven months. 313 00:28:23,816.287949 --> 00:28:29,851.288949 So it's not a quick, A quick win or any to even know that you want. 314 00:28:29,861.288949 --> 00:28:32,1.288949 So they it definitely is a process. 315 00:28:32,11.288949 --> 00:28:33,651.288949 So just just something to think about. 316 00:28:34,381.288949 --> 00:28:35,41.288949 Amen. 317 00:28:35,61.287949 --> 00:28:35,541.287949 Amen. 318 00:28:35,561.287949 --> 00:28:35,981.287949 Amen. 319 00:28:36,71.288949 --> 00:28:37,1.287949 All of that. 320 00:28:37,41.288949 --> 00:28:41,491.288949 That's why nonprofit 411 exists because grants are part of a larger strategy. 321 00:28:41,791.288949 --> 00:28:49,561.287949 So we help organizations develop that larger strategy and make sure they're taking advantage of all the funding streams available to nonprofits. 322 00:28:49,581.288949 --> 00:28:57,291.288949 So thank you for reiterating that for Our listeners and thank you so much for being on the show today. 323 00:28:57,291.288949 --> 00:28:58,781.3222823 I've really enjoyed it. 324 00:28:58,781.3222823 --> 00:28:59,291.2556156 Absolutely. 325 00:28:59,291.2556156 --> 00:29:01,261.288949 It was great talking about grants. 326 00:29:01,261.288949 --> 00:29:02,441.288949 I could talk about it all day. 327 00:29:02,951.288949 --> 00:29:04,761.288949 Yeah, me too, probably. 328 00:29:05,361.288949 --> 00:29:06,931.287949 So, well, thank you so much. 329 00:29:06,931.288949 --> 00:29:09,401.287949 And to our listeners, we hope you join again next week. 330 00:29:09,401.288949 --> 00:29:10,311.287949 Have a great day. 331 00:29:10,381.287949 --> 00:29:10,701.287949 Bye. 332 00:29:17,86.288949 --> 00:29:20,126.288949 Thank you for listening to the Nonprofit 411 podcast. 333 00:29:20,206.288949 --> 00:29:26,536.288949 I hope today's conversation with our nonprofit professionals and experts left you feeling inspired and equipped to move forward with confidence. 334 00:29:27,76.287949 --> 00:29:33,596.288949 If you're ready to build a customized fundraising strategy or want support as you implement it, Nonprofit 411 is here for you. 335 00:29:33,986.287949 --> 00:29:35,776.287949 Visit nonprofit411. 336 00:29:35,806.288949 --> 00:29:37,756.288949 org to learn how we can partner with you. 337 00:29:38,6.288949 --> 00:29:40,226.288949 Until next time, keep working towards your mission. 338 00:29:40,476.288949 --> 00:29:41,386.288949 You've got this.
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