Grants and Funding During the COVID-19 Pandemic
It is now April 2020. No one reading this would’ve expected the fallout of the global pandemic that is COVID-19. We’re facing stay-at-home orders, many of our family and friends getting sick or dying from the coronavirus, and we will forever be changed by this incredible moment.
COVID-19 has devastated the economy and exposed the vulnerabilities in all of our industries, but especially the nonprofit industry. Many nonprofits who worked so hard to build a strong donor base and a comprehensive fundraising strategy have suddenly been crippled by closings and layoffs. Though some nonprofits have switched to virtual events to raise money and maintain their operations, much of their attention has turned to seeking grants to survive.
The silver lining in all of this chaos is the incredible response from local communities, Congress, government agencies, foundations and corporations. In the midst of the U.S. economy breaking down in front of our eyes, suddenly there has been an outpouring of support from literally everywhere. Nonprofits find themselves in a situation unlike any other - with multiple options to pursue funding and support.
The Nonprofit Startup Glossary: A Reference Guide
Welcome to the ultimate blog post of common nonprofit startup terms. Below I am explaining common terms you’ll see conducting your nonprofit’s business. Starting a nonprofit and navigating the startup phase can be hard enough. Imagine having to know all of the acronyms and terms all at once! It’s so tiring. The reality is that you will come across terms that you’ve never heard of, but now you have a resource to come back to when you’re in doubt. This post will be your ultimate guide and reference that you can come back to time and time again to refresh your memory.
What are the different types of grants?
The grants space is a vast universe made of many different moving parts, including grant applications, funders, community partners and the like. It’s easy to think that every grant you pursue is the same, but that’s not the case. More than likely, every new grant you encounter you will find a new question or a requirement. Even seasoned grant writers still encounter new processes, questions, or requirements that they've never seen before. Funders come in all shapes and sizes, and so what they request of you will come in different forms, too. Though every grant process is different, you will generally see the same types of grants.
Where are the startup grants for nonprofits?
It is the #1 question I hear. Every month, it comes up in my Facebook group. Where can I find start-up grants for my nonprofit?
It sounds like a simple question, but I find myself hesitating because it really isn’t that simple. Most people who ask that question haven’t yet come to grips with their unrealistic views of how a nonprofit functions. Answering the question is not as simple as giving you a list of funders (wouldn’t life be easy that way), but it means a better understanding of how grant-making works and how to approach your grant writing strategy overall.