Grantwriting : Relationship Building
Marissa Lewis is experienced in non-profit management as both grantmaker and grantseeker, including fundraising, strategy, grant/grantee management, and board development in staff, consultant, and volunteer/Board capacities. She is a strong administrator with a talent for building and strengthening organizational culture, along with the necessary systems and frameworks. Her 20-year career has been anchored in ensuring individuals, communities, and organizations have access to all the tools they need to succeed. Marissa is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and did graduate work at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
As a consultant to mission-based organizations for nearly two decades, Molly Penn has deep experience working across many aspects of the nonprofit sector - including community development, education, human service, social justice and the arts - to help organizations become stronger and have a greater impact. She began her professional life in development roles at a large NYC arts nonprofit as well as held senior development staff positions at various smaller organizations. She has an MBA in Management from Fordham University, a Masters from Columbia University and a BA from Bard College. She is certified in Appreciative Inquiry change management, Lean process analysis, Hogan personality inventory, and trained as a professional coach. Molly serves on the board of the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and on the selection committee for Nonprofit New York’s Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
Grantwriting Workbook
Grantwriting Curriculum
Introduction & Overview
Research
Relationship Building
Overview of grant proposal structure
Describe the need
Why your organization?
How to define and monitor success
Budgets and Budget Narratives (and other attachments)
Letters of Inquiry
Grant Stewardship
Relationship Management
Context
Flirt with them!
Suggestions for Getting Their Attention
Direct Approach
Send an email
Request an informational meeting
Invite them to an event
Indirect Approach
Invite them to an event
Attend information sessions
Send newsletter or piece of journalism to introduce them to your work
Networking Approach
Look on LinkedIn to see who you know who knows them
Ask your current funders for an introduction
See if anyone on your board knows anyone on their board
Try to Pick Them Up
Get Permission to Submit
Letter of Inquiry – formal process
Meeting or call
Site visit
Get out your calendar!
Build a Calendar