Articles & Advice For Nonprofit Grant Writing | ELEVATE Grant Writing Services

How 2025 Changed Grantseeking for Social Service Organizations

March 13, 2026

Private grantseeking for human services agencies – including organizations providing housing, access to health services, case management, food and emergency...

How 2025 Changed Grantseeking

March 6, 2026

While the past 18 months have been marked by chaos and uncertainty, one thing is certain: 2025 undeniably changed the...

2025 Elevate by the Numbers

January 28, 2026

Elevate was a steady, strategic partner for nonprofits in 2025, securing $137.2 million for our clients.

Meeting the Moment

November 10, 2025

We know that communities around the country are capable and resilient – and that nonprofits will continue to be a...

Introducing Elevate’s new President & Managing Director

October 24, 2025

Earlier this month, I stepped into the new role of President & Managing Director here at Elevate. In this new...

Meaningful Outcomes for Arts Organizations

October 22, 2025

Elevate is proud to work with numerous nonprofits working in the areas of visual arts, performing arts, theater and arts...

The Data is In: How the Public Funding Landscape is Shifting for Nonprofits

September 25, 2025

Since January 2025, the nonprofit sector has been inundated with federal policy changes and Executive Orders that are changing the...

Get your Ducks in a Row: Benchmarks to Meet Before Investing in a Grants Program

September 4, 2025

Grants are one of the foundational pillars of the nonprofit industry. Whether from government agencies, private foundations, or corporate social...

What to Know About the Executive Order Increasing Oversight of Federal Grant Making

August 21, 2025

Executive Order on “Increasing Oversight of Federal Grant Making” What Nonprofits Need to Know Now Since the new administration took...

Getting Started in Grant Writing: 4 Tips for Launching Your Career

August 19, 2025

Whether you’re a recent graduate or exploring a career change, grant writing might be on your radar. If you’re passionate...

Leading Through Uncertainty: 3 Candid Lessons from Nonprofit Leaders

July 17, 2025

Takeaways from Elevate’s Conversation Series: “Leadership in Challenging Times” In a time of shifting funding priorities and operational stress, nonprofit...

5 Big Questions Nonprofit Leaders Are Asking (And What to Do About Them)

June 17, 2025

In the nonprofit sector, uncertainty is nothing new. But the current funding landscape—with declining federal support and growing pressure on...

Maximizing Grant Success: A Guide to Leveraging Multiple Prospect Research Tools

April 3, 2025

At Elevate, we know that identifying and securing grants is often the backbone of nonprofit funding strategies. We also realize...

Data & Grant Writing: Why Grant Program Data Matters and How to Get It Right

March 25, 2025

As my colleagues have explored in previous blog posts, including this article on how to write a persuasive need statement,...

But what about private grants? Fundraising Strategy Under the New Administration

March 4, 2025

For many nonprofits, federal grants and contracts are just one part of their larger revenue profile. With the news to...

Project-Based Services to Kickstart Your Grants Program

February 14, 2025

New year, new grant services–that’s the saying right? Either way, I am very excited for the opportunity to share more...

A Milestone Year: 2024 By the Numbers

January 27, 2025

Friends and partners of Elevate, it’s time for an annual tradition – our look back at the previous year by-the-numbers! ...

Strategies for Ethical Storytelling

January 6, 2025

Welcome back to our two-part blog series on Ethical Storytelling, which kicked off last fall with a blog providing an...

Getting Your Foot in the Door…and staying there!

December 6, 2024

5 Common Mistakes in Cultivating and Stewarding Foundations (and how to avoid them) Cultivating and stewarding grantmakers are important steps...

Ethical Storytelling in Fundraising

September 11, 2024

Earlier in the year, I interviewed Brian Rosenbaum about how his professional training as a social worker and his personal...

BILLION DOLLAR BABY: IN 10+ YEARS ELEVATE RAISES A STAGGERING SUM

July 19, 2024

Here at Elevate, we have a lot to be proud of, and we aim to celebrate wins large and small....

LinkedIn Sleuthing: 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn To Reach Your Fundraising Goals

July 11, 2024

Over the course of 20+ years, LinkedIn has become a compulsory tool that helps its 1 billion members build their...

Liberatory Design Part 2: An Equity Learning Journey, Q&A with Tom Malarkey, National Equity Project

June 17, 2024

Previously in this space, I shared some facets of my personal equity journey, which has included learning about human-centered design,...

Liberatory Design Part 1: An Equity Learning Journey

June 3, 2024

For our fourth installment of our Elevate Q&A series examining issues pertinent to the philanthropic sector and nonprofits, I am...

“We Regret to Inform You…” 5 Tips for Converting a Funder “No” into a Future “Yes”

April 22, 2024

If you’re a grant seeker, you’ve likely encountered these scenarios. Scenario 1: You have an existing, positive relationship with a...

Applying a Social Work Lens to Fundraising A Q&A with Brian Rosenbaum, Development Officer at A Place Called Home

April 9, 2024

Welcome back for a third installment on our Elevate Q&A series, where we “pass the mic” to a member of...

Congratulating Elevate’s SIX Yield Giving recipients!

April 4, 2024

In spring 2023, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving launched an open call for community-led, community-focused organizations. It received over 6,000 applicants,...

Celebrating Meaningful Grant Wins for Elevate Clients in 2023

February 16, 2024

As we reported in our most recent blog, Elevate closed out 2023 by helping our clients win in excess of...

Oops We Did it Again! Elevate Wins $100 Million Three Years in a Row!

February 8, 2024

For those of you who are regular readers of Elevate’s blog, you know what time it is. (And for those...

5 Reasons to Cultivate Relationships with Funders

December 14, 2023

“I just don’t have the time.” “I’m not good at cold calling.” “Isn’t that the Development Director’s job?” These are...

Q&A with Wade Munday, Director of Corporate Philanthropy & Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas

December 1, 2023

We are back with the second in a series of blogs where we “pass the mic” to another member of...

AI-POWERED TOOLS AND GRANT WRITING

November 1, 2023

Our Elevate Colleagues Weigh In With Advice At Elevate, we’ve been thinking a lot this year about Artificial Intelligence (AI)...

What is the role of private philanthropy in the human services sector?

August 25, 2023

It is not uncommon for human services organizations to rely heavily on public funds – grants and contracts from local,...

4 Tips for Centering Equity & Inclusion

July 14, 2023

Part 2 of our Conversation with April Walker of Philanthropy for the People A few months ago, we published...

Introducing Elevate’s Ongoing Writer Retainer Service

June 7, 2023

In 2022, Elevate launched a new, streamlined retainer service: the Ongoing Writing Retainer. This service provides dedicated, professional grant writing...

A Q&A with Our IDEA + J Partner, April Walker of Philanthropy for the People

May 18, 2023

Elevate recently shared news about our two IDEA + J (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility + Justice) partners and the work...

A Holistic Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Elevate

April 21, 2023

Elevate is excited to share two new partnerships that we have started in 2023 to support our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity,...

Smart Grants for Powerful Social Change: $132 Million Raised in 2022!

March 6, 2023

You might have noticed that Elevate’s tagline is “Smart Grants for Powerful Social Change.” Elevate works with over 100 inspiring...

Elevate is TEN!

January 12, 2023

January 12, 2023 Celebrating a decade of partnerships, growth, and meaningful impact While each new year brings an opportunity for...

100 Strong: Elevate Reaches Key Milestone

November 3, 2022

November 3, 2022 I started Elevate almost a decade ago with about 10 clients. Today, we’re celebrating a major milestone:...

Elevate’s Back-to-School Reading List: Our top picks for books to build your grant writing toolbox!

September 21, 2022

Elevate’s staff is a “bookish” bunch! From the latest novels to nonfiction audiobooks, many conversations among Elevate staff revolve around...

The Data is In! GenOps Requests More Likely to Win than Program-Restricted Proposals

August 16, 2022

New analysis from Elevate’s Data Team finds that our clients’ win rate – the proportion of grants won compared with...

Introducing Elevate’s New Client Partnerships Department

July 12, 2022

While new to this position, I’ve worked here at Elevate for years. I started in May 2016 as a team...

GrantStation’s 2022 Annual State of Grantseeking Survey

June 14, 2022

Our friends at GrantStation surveyed more than 1,750 representatives of the nonprofit community about grant seeking at their organizations and...

The Impact of COVID-19 on Grant Writing

November 16, 2021

November 16, 2021 While many articles about fundraising during the pandemic have focused on record-breaking philanthropy from foundations, we...

Grant Report Basics: How to Give Funders What They’re Looking For

August 18, 2020

We'll cover what goes in a grant report, how to tailor it to your funder, and how to collect and...

Woman sitting at a small white table typing on her tablet keyboard

Tips for Your Next Virtual Interview, to Help You Land the Job

August 10, 2020

How to ensure you make a strong impression, even if you aren’t able to meet with your interviewers in-person.

7 Steps for Planning a Successful Virtual Site Visit with Your Funder

July 27, 2020

We've spelled out a 7-step process for planning your next virtual site visit and pulling it off successfully.

Is Philanthropy Changing for the Better? What Nonprofits Should Know

July 6, 2020

Three takeaways from our recent Conversation Series about what the future of philanthropy could look like.

4 Things Nonprofits Can Do Now, to Better Adapt to Uncertainty

June 18, 2020

Takeaways from our panel discussion on how nonprofits can move forward in spite of the uncertainty we’re facing.

Should You Hire a Grant Writer, a Consultant, or a Firm?

June 2, 2020

We'll help you answer the question of which staffing solution makes the most sense for your grant program.

Our Framework for How to Reopen Your Organization in the Wake of a Crisis

May 18, 2020

The process of reopening can be more complex than meets the eye, so we're sharing our process.

A Case for Boosting Your Short-Term Grant Writing Support During a Crisis

May 4, 2020

When the future is uncertain, we believe in adding experienced capacity for a short period. Here's why.

Planning for Long-Term Success in Your Grants Program

April 10, 2020

Four emergency preparedness principles that can help you plan for long-term grant program success.

Every Organization Needs an Emergency Preparedness Plan. Here’s Ours.

April 6, 2020

We’ve shared our framework for forming and running a Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) team.

How to Fundraise in Times of Crisis or Uncertainty

March 18, 2020

Concrete tips for continuing to fundraise effectively, even when ‘normalcy’ has been disrupted.

5 Essential Pieces of Advice for How to Write a Grant

February 13, 2020

Avoid common mistakes, create a plan, and make the strongest possible case for funding.

Tools & Resources We Use Most as a Team of Professional Grant Writers

January 31, 2020

Our favorite tools for staying organized, well-informed, and effective in our work year-round.

The Secret to Getting The Buy-In You Need to Meet Your Fundraising Goals

January 27, 2020

How to go from “I’m responsible for hitting this fundraising target” to “we’re all in this together.”

How to Set Meaningful Goals for Your Grant Program

December 9, 2019

Tips and exercises to help you set meaningful goals for your grant program in the coming year.

5 Creative, Meaningful Ways to Thank Institutional Donors

November 21, 2019

Practicing gratitude with your institutional funders doesn't have to feel forced, complicated, or dry.

High-Value Prospects for Greater Success in Your Grants Program

November 6, 2019

How to put together a thoughtful prospecting strategy to help guide your organization's research.

Why you should use empowering language in grant proposals

October 28, 2019

Three key reasons it's important to adopt empowering, strengths-based language in your fundraising strategy.

Writing For Systems Change: How to Make the Case for Advocacy

How to craft compelling proposals for advocacy activities, particularly as a complement to direct services.

5 Ways to ELEVATE Your Job Application to the Top of the Pile

October 21, 2019

Put together a job application that avoids common pitfalls, and helps you stand out for the right reasons.

Navigating Funder Relationships During Executive Transitions: Part 3

September 23, 2019

Advice from funders on how nonprofits can engage before, during and after an executive transition.

Navigating Funder Relationships During Executive Transitions: Part 2

September 16, 2019

Tips and tricks of strengthening funder relationships throughout an executive transition.

Navigating Funder Relationships During Executive Transitions: Part I

September 9, 2019

In this post, search consultant and former grantmaker Carlyn Madden examines different types of transitions.

Getting the Numbers Right in Your Grants

August 9, 2019

Do's and Don'ts from funders across the country, for how to get the numbers right and make a winning ask.

4 Keys to Clear, Collaborative Workplace Conversations

July 29, 2019

Tips to help you speak up about important subjects in a way that’s both honest and clear, while still keeping...

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

June 26, 2019

Building strong relationships with individual donors can transform your fundraising strategy.

Getting Inside the Mind of a Corporation

May 23, 2019

Consultant Derry Deringer shares insight about what corporations want out of a partnership with a nonprofit.

Where Do I Start With Corporate Partnerships?

May 22, 2019

In this interview, Derry Deringer shares what goes into making a successful corporate-nonprofit partnership.

THREE STEPS FOR CREATING A GRANTS PROGRAM THAT’S BUILT TO LAST

March 21, 2019

What it means to build resilience in your grants program, and how to start moving in the right direction.

WINEMAKING, GRANT WRITING, AND THE ART OF PERSEVERANCE

March 15, 2019

What the winemaking process and a successful grants program have in common.

YOUR BIGGEST QUESTIONS ABOUT PROGRAM BUDGETS, ANSWERED!

February 13, 2019

Our answers to four frequently asked questions to help you craft a strong, fiscally-sound program budget.

5 STRATEGIES FOR WRITING A GRANT PROPOSAL THAT FUNDERS LOVE

January 10, 2019

Five strategies straight from the nation’s leading funders, on how to write a grant proposal that stands out.

GIVING TUESDAY: ONE PIECE OF A LARGER STRATEGY

November 26, 2018

Do's and Don'ts to ensure your organization’s Giving Tuesday campaign is part of a larger strategy.

HOW TO CREATE A TIERED DONATION LIST FOR GIVING TUESDAY

October 31, 2018

Providing donors with suggested donation options is a tried and tested way to make a compelling ask, and increase donations.

WHY GIVING TUESDAY?

October 24, 2018

An introduction and brief history of the global giving movement, and how to make sure your nonprofit doesn't miss out.

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ELEVATE’S EDUCATION CLIENTS

September 28, 2018

Celebrating our clients who work to ensure education in the U.S. is effective, accessible, and equitable.

EMPOWERING A CEO TO BE A CHIEF FUNDRAISER

September 12, 2018

7 strategies to help you to effectively engage your CEO in your fundraising activities and goals.

VACATION PLANNING TIPS FOR TEAM SUCCESS

July 5, 2018

Planning tips to help staff enjoy time away from the office, without negatively impacting their team.

USING FEEDBACK TO BUILD STRONG, ENGAGED TEAMS

June 15, 2018

Regular feedback is a great way to improve overall team performance.

CELEBRATING MOTHERS AND THE NONPROFITS THAT SUPPORT THEM

May 11, 2018

A look at the many ways our clients serve mothers.

HOW TO STAND OUT AS A NONPROFIT

April 11, 2018

Why differentiation is a winning strategy.

STRATEGY: ITS MORE THAN JARGON

March 22, 2018

Strategy is key to achieving both efficiency and results.

GETTING TO KNOW LOGIC MODELS

March 1, 2018

Plus a free downloadable template to get you started.

HOW TO WRITE THE SUSTAINABILITY SECTION OF A GRANT

February 8, 2018

Demonstrating that your program is stable, but that you still need funding is tricky.

HOW TO MANAGE INTERNAL DEADLINES

January 18, 2018

Four ways to systematize the grant writing process.

SHOULD YOU ACCEPT CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS?

December 11, 2017

How to factor in common apprehensions.

HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE: PART 2

November 17, 2017

Practical tips and tricks to make your forecast more accurate and useful.

KEEPING ATTACHMENTS ORGANIZED

November 2, 2017

Tips to help you keep your grant attachment files organized and up to date.

HOW TO INVOLVE YOUR BOARD IN YOUR GRANTS PROGRAM

October 19, 2017

How to equip and guide your Board members to be an effective part of your grants strategy.

INTRODUCTION TO INCLUSIVE WRITING

October 6, 2017

The skillful use of inclusive language in grant proposals can lead to positive social change.

TIPS FOR WRITING ABOUT LEADERSHIP

August 10, 2017

You are going to be asked to explain who leads your organization and why they are qualified. Here's how.

WRITE A PERSUASIVE NEED STATEMENT

July 7, 2017

A strong need statement uses data to explain the problem your organization solves.

5 Ways to Be Pleasantly Persistent with Your Funder Cultivation

June 13, 2017

5 tips for staying on your funders' radar and seeming eager to collaborate, without being obnoxious.

HOW TO MANAGE A GRANT CALENDAR

June 1, 2017

Create a system to stay on top of deadlines, find new opportunities, and maximize your resources.

SOCIAL MEDIA’S ROLE IN GRANTS

May 9, 2017

Don't let the allure of social media distract you from building a strong, focused grants strategy.

CELEBRATING AMERICORPS WEEK

March 10, 2017

Our clients benefit from AmeriCorps members’ service and we're lucky to have a few alumni on our team.

HOW TO LOSE A GRANT IN 10 WAYS

January 26, 2017

While most of Elevate’s posts focus on how to win grants, it’s also important to know how grants are lost.

HOW TO PREDICT THE FUTURE: PART 1

January 12, 2017

As a leader, you have to predict the future—and prepare your organization to respond. Here's how.

PUT THE WHY IN YOUR PROPOSALS

January 1, 2017

Your job is to translate the importance of your organization to donors, partners, and volunteers.

GIVING POLICIES: TO ACCEPT OR NOT?

December 29, 2016

Deciding whether or not to accept a grant you won can be difficult. Having a giving policy can help.

HOW TRANSPARENT SHOULD WE BE?

December 1, 2016

What is too much information for one funder might be expected information for another.

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