Category Archives: Grants

Just published: Do Good Well: Your Guide to Leadership, Action, and Social Innovation

“This book is the primer for social innovation.”— Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Founder of Grameen Bank

97% of Millennials say it’s important for them to engage in work that has a positive impact on the world. The message is clear: Today’s younger generations deeply value social responsibility.

They feel an obligation to “do good” and solve the problems they see everyday on the news and in their communities. Their drive to make an impact has transformed everything from the way teenagers use their spare time, to the classes college students take, to the careers that young adults pursue.

But many Millennials (and others) struggle with the application and implementation of their idealistic intentions; they want to “do good”, but are not sure how to get started, or how to strengthen and sustain their efforts once they’ve taken flight.

That’s why I contributed to the new book, DO GOOD WELL: YOUR GUIDE TO LEADERSHIP, ACTION, AND SOCIAL INNOVATION
(Jossey-Bass paperback and e-book). Already a #1 Amazon Best-Seller, DO GOOD WELL is a groundbreaking leadership guide that provides a comprehensive and concrete roadmap to making a positive and lasting impact.

I was honored to co-author the chapter entitled “What Works in Fundraising.”

Sonal Shah, First Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, calls the book “a catalyst to help those who want to accelerate social change. It is the ‘go to’ reference on how citizens can make a big impact in their communities and around the world!”

Written with a fresh voice and a dash of humor, DO GOOD WELL offers students and young adults a practical and hands-on way to establish their unique brand of leadership.

The book begins with the knowledge that all impactful change starts from within. Next, it provides a 12-part framework for developing solutions that can break through any barriers to change. This process is simplified into three core principles: Do What Works, Work Together, and Make It Last. The final portion of the book gives readers the tools and step-by-step instructions they’ll need to execute their ideas and maximize their impact.

DO GOOD WELL captures the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of our time by drawing upon the experiences of today’s most talented young leaders. Incredibly versatile, the book delivers a winning combination of interdisciplinary research, case studies, personal anecdotes, practical advice, worksheets, and reflection questions. As a result, it is an ideal partner both as an individual read and in the group setting (managing businesses, nonprofits, or clubs; facilitating student affairs programs; teaching courses on entrepreneurship or service learning; running leadership workshops and trainings, etc.). DO GOOD WELL is the comprehensive must-read for anyone motivated to effect meaningful, sustainable change.

EARLY REVIEWS

“The book we’ve all been waiting for – brilliant and full of energy, this manual provides the tools and step-by-step instructions to transform anyone into a leader of social change. So hands-on and high-yield that it will never gather dust!” — Nancy Lublin, CEO of DoSomething.org

“A practical field guide for young people wanting to change the world.” — Nick Kristof, New York Times columnist and Co-Author of Half the Sky

“An outstanding leadership guide that empowers young entrepreneurs to be the change and take action today. An essential companion for the classroom, boardroom, and chatroom.” — Alan Khazei, Co-Founder of City Year and Founder of Be The Change, Inc

DO GOOD WELL is also a new organization! Learn more about it HERE.

Not Getting Enough Funder Love? Try These Grantwriting Tips

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[Dalya’s note] This guest post originally appeared on Valentine’s Day on PhilanTech’s blog, Rants About Grants. It’s by Dahna Goldstein, Founder and CEO of PhilanTech, provider of the PhilanTrack online grants management system.

I’ve written before about grant dating (here, and here, among other places). As strange as it seems, the grantseeking process does bear some resemblance to dating, so revisiting it on Valentine’s Day seemed apropos.

So if things are not working out in your pursuit of a funder marriage, it may be because your dating approach needs to be adjusted. Here are a few tips to help you get to that long-term funder relationship:

Make sure you’re dating the right foundations. A good relationship starts with meeting the right foundations. If you have nothing in common, the chances are not good that a relationship will work out. You can start by doing thorough research on the foundations you’re approaching. Study their mission statements and their guidelines. See which organizations they’ve funded in the past, and which organizations they’re currently funding. Do your programs seem like a good fit? Trying to fit square pegs into round holes by tweaking your program descriptions to meet funding requirements that you don’t naturally fit is not a recipe for a lasting relationship.

Make sure you’re speaking their language. Many foundations have specific requirements for grant applications – everything from the specific information that they want to receive (specific questions to answer, issues to address, documents to provide) to when and how they want to receive it. Be sure that the request you’re putting together meets those requirements, whatever they are. (And we’ll be happy to show you how PhilanTrack can help you manage multiple proposals to multiple foundations.)

It’s not all about you. Many nonprofits take an “it’s not you, it’s me” approach to writing grant proposals. They talk extensively about their programs, their constituents, their successes, their plans. While grant applications should absolutely include those things, they also need to position your programs in terms of the foundation’s priorities and its mission. One of the things Marty Teitel talks about in his book “The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Winning Foundation Grants” is the importance of aligning the proposal with what the foundation – and the people in the foundation, including both the program officer and the directors – is trying to accomplish. Part of the grantwriter’s job is to make it easy for the proposal reader to see how the program in question will help the foundation further its own goals.

Presentation matters. Think about how you’re coming across. Just as you would probably choose your outfit carefully for your first date, think about how you’re presenting yourself to a funder. Is your proposal well written? Is it persuasive? Your organization can be doing great work, but if you don’t convey it clearly, you’ll have a hard time getting it funded. Program officers and trustees generally read many more proposals than they are able to fund. Think about it from their perspective – it’s so much better to read a proposal that is well written! Have someone else proof-read your submission to make sure there aren’t any mistakes and that the prose is clear, and supported by relevant quantitative information. First impressions matter!

Once you’re in a relationship, don’t neglect your funder. Funder relationships, like all relationships, take time and care. Don’t take your funder for granted. If the funder asks for updates, provide them in a timely manner, and with the information requested. Don’t overwhelm the funder with communications (they don’t need to be copied on every email that you send to your supporters), but keep them up to date on key developments that relate to the grant they’ve given you, even if there isn’t a report due for a few months. Of course, if a funder makes it clear that they don’t want to hear from you aside from reports, then respect that (some funders need their space).

If it doesn’t work out, ask for feedback to help your next relationship. Sometimes funders will break up with you for no reason – or what seems to be no reason. Maybe you’ve been in a relationship for several years and the board decides to change priorities in a way that no longer includes your organization’s mission and programs. It can be heartbreaking, but it happens, and there isn’t much you can do about it. But sometimes, funders will break up with you for a clear and explainable reason. While they may be inclined to spare your feelings by not coming right out and telling you the reason for the breakup, it’s frequently worth asking the question. The truth may hurt, but it might help position you for greater success as you pursue your next funder relationship.

5 Tips for Sharing Stories that Stick (Part 1 & 2)

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I am publishing a new article, “Five Tips for Sharing Stories that Stick,” in two parts this month in the Grants and Foundations Review on the CharityChannel website (www.charitychannel.com).

The editor says:

“Dalya Massachi has hit on something that, once she points it out, seems so obvious that it’s a wonder we have to be reminded of it: we all love a good story!

In Part 1 of her article Five Tips for Sharing Stories that Stick, Dalya advises grantwriters: use stories. Then she dives in to show us how.”

Part 1 was previously published. Here is the beginning of Part 2, and you can click below to see the rest.

“Once in East Africa, on the shores of an ancient lake, I sat alone and suddenly it struck me what community is. It is gathering around a fire and listening to someone tell us a story.” – Bill Moyers

Use Plenty of Interesting Quotes

Break out your tape recorder (imaginary or real) and listen to the voices of your characters. They want to be heard and taken seriously, and your readers want to hear what they have to say. Using people’s actual words will infuse your piece with a real-world genuineness. We all like to overhear conversations, and using plenty of quotes can simulate that. Quotation marks are also pretty darned eye-catching!

Using quotes will add texture to your writing by introducing a variety of personal styles, tones, rhythms, etc. That variety will help keep your readers interested and engaged. You do not want to have only one sound dominate your virtual “airwaves,” lest your readers tune out.

Include both short and long quotes that illustrate how people felt or what they experienced before, while, and after working with you. Be sure to ask your interviewees: “How did you benefit from the experience? How did it make you feel? What changes did you see happen? And why is that important to you?” Try your best to extract the quality of their experiences.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

A great new way to benefit from “Writing to Make a Difference”

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Have you found inspiration, support and practical ideas from Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact?

Hundreds of people already have, from many different walks of life: nonprofiteers, small business entrepreneurs, students, government agency staff, consultants, volunteers…the list goes on.

A few comments from readers:

“It’s as though I have a personal writing coach looking over my shoulder with a smile to encourage me to make what I’ve written more clear and more effective. I heartily recommend this book. It will give you confidence and the specific tips you need to make your writing sing.” — A reader on Amazon.com

“Writing to Make a Difference is the best writing tool you could have for your socially responsible business. If you write event announcements, newsletters, fundraising letters, press releases, business letters or any related writing, you need this book. And don’t forget email, websites and posting online. This is an organized and practical manual; it is easy to use and fun to read. You will use these techniques every day.” – Diane Adkin, US Sales Coordinator, Canaan Fair Trade

“Writing to Make a Difference is the most thorough, practical, compellingly readable, downright inspiring guide to nonprofit writing that I have ever seen. If you write or if you edit writing by others—this book will help you do a better job.” — Genevieve Richardson, Librarian, Dayton Metro Library

“Writing to Make a Difference is a great balance of both instructional and interactive tips, tools, and exercises for those who want to effectively communicate the difference they are making in the world. — Alandra L. Washington, Deputy Director, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“This is one book I would recommend to every member of my team – grant writers, fundraisers, staff, and every board member.” — Johnson Hor, Esq, Board member, Art Endowment, Inspire to Do, Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco

“I’m very impressed with this book. Every progressive organization should have a well-thumbed copy handy.” — Susan C. Strong, Executive Director, The Metaphor Project

“Writing to Make a Difference is a rare book of welcome mixtures, combining the accessibility of a “how-to” guide, rigor of an educational text, and practicality of a professional manual—all presented with the warmth of a trusted friend.” — A reader on Amazon.com

Now there’s another way you can benefit from the book! Just tell your friends about it by sending them to this link: http://bit.ly/c64ABf . Ask them to write in the purchase comments box:

“referred by (followed by your name and email address)”

and YOU will receive $2 (via PayPal) for each purchase they make. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make, so go for it!

If you prefer to have your bonus donated to a nonprofit organization of your choice, just have your friends put the nonprofit’s name and email address in the comments box.

We all could use a little bonus here and there (especially in this struggling economy) so I hope you take advantage of this special offer.