Sometimes a good rant is cathartic. In 2025, whatever you can do to get thoughts and feelings out in meaningful (and unharmful) ways, we say go for it! And we’re putting that into practice in this episode. From consulting training that promises the moon to sticking your head in the sand in the hopes that things will get better eventually, we’re talking about all the things on our minds.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon

Nonprofits and grant funding programs exist for public good. But sadly, not all individuals and agencies tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding grant funds follow the rules. Ripped straight from the headlines, from college professors and nonprofit leaders to state governments and retired NFL quarterbacks, we learn that no one is above the law.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES:   To learn more about today’s stories, read the following articles: CUNY Scientist Accused of Fabricating Data U.S. levels fraud indictment at CUNY scientist who helped Alzheimer’s drug developer | Science | AAAS   Office of Public Affairs | Professor Charged for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Grant Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice   Co-developer of Cassava’s potential Alzheimer’s drug cited for ‘egregious misconduct’ | Science | AAAS   Minnesota Nonprofit Employees Convicted for Misuse of Funds 5 of 7 defendants convicted of misusing Covid relief money meant to feed children   Minnesota man gets 28 years for pandemic-era food fraud   Former NFL QB and State of Mississippi Welfare Scandal Brett Favre scandal explained: Ex-NFL QB accused of misusing Mississippi state welfare funds - CBS Sports   Brett Favre and the Mississippi Welfare Scandal: Inside the Shocking Fraud Case

Many in the grant community have been calling for reform for years. We’re frustrated by inefficient processes, inequitable practices, and systems that waste time and money. But there are organizations in place to help make grant making more just and accessible. Many are highlighted here.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: More Than Grant Writers   Crappy Funding Practices   Grant Advisor   #FixTheForm   National Council of Nonprofits

You may find this hard to believe, but fundraising events aren’t always the money-making events people think they are. Let’s take a deep dive into how to run events that raise funds without destroying your budget, staff, or sanity in the process.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon

It’s often a touchy subject for consultants and employees in the nonprofit sector – how much should you charge/be paid for your work? Truthfully, the answer varies based on your education, experience, and know-how. Charging less than your worth because you’re working for a nonprofit does not mean you care more for nonprofits in general or the mission of one nonprofit in particular. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon SHOW NOTES: Julie’s Viral LinkedIn Post Complete the Courageous Leadership Scorecard WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Julie Boll Julie Boll Consulting

Leadership is vital to the success of any organization. We often talk about it. We often dream about good leadership. But who actually takes the time to study leadership and then help nonprofit leaders really think about how to develop programs that work? Stacy Fitzsimmons, CEO of SNF Writing Solutions, that’s who. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon SHOW NOTES: Master Class on John C. Maxwell’s book “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn” Code for 50% off is 25HAYDAY50 WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Stacy Fitzsimmons SNF Writing Solution

To ensure the proper checks and balances of an organization, it takes more than one person to manage your organization’s grants, particularly when federal grant funding is involved. Even if you are the only one with “grant” in your title, it takes a team to get the job done. Let’s talk about all the elements of grant management and who should be a member of your grant management team.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon

You’re the grant expert for your organization, but chances are you are not the executive director, city manager, superintendent, or other titled leader. And chances are, your boss and board do not understand the ins and outs of the grant world. That means it’s up to you to educate your organization about how it works and how it doesn’t. Educating up is an integral part of your role as a grant professional so everyone is on board for grant success. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: The Go/No Go Grant Decision Guide

What is known as the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4, 2025. While this is not a budget bill, its legislation includes tax changes and spending policies that will significantly affect nonprofits, local government, hospitals, communities, and those we serve. It’s always better to understand the storm that is coming so we can best prepare. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon SHOW NOTES: Independent Sector Council of Nonprofits The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health

Professional development (or learning and development as it is referred to in the UK) is often the first thing cut when budgets are tight. But what does that mean for fundraisers and grant professionals? We are joined by Cam St Omer-Donaldson with Fundraising Everywhere to learn about their study on the impacts of learning and development on job performance and job satisfaction. It’s just what you need to help educate your bosses and boards about your need for continuous learning and engagement with your peers and experts.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: The Impact of Learning and Development on Charity Staff: Performance and Job Satisfaction Research Undertaken By: Susie Mullins Presented By: Nikki Bell and Cam St -Donaldson  WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Cam St-Omer Donaldson Fundraising Everywhere

Any experienced grant professional will tell you: if you don’t have a need for the grant, there is no need to write the grant. A needs assessment (or problem statement) requires data from reputable sources to show community need for your proposed program or project. This episode spells out where to find such data – from government agencies to your own backyard. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: U.S. Census Bureau Fundraising HayDay S6, E6 Episode, Show Me the Data, with U.S. Census Bureau Data Dissemination Specialist, Marilyn E. Stephens U.S. Census QuickFacts Data Tool U.S. Census Bureau YouTube Channel Centers for Disease Control Data Portal Centers for Disease Control WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System) Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Better Data for Better Health National Equity Atlanta National Crime Victimization Survey from Bureau of Justice Statistics National Center for Education Statistics Environmental Protection Agency Smithsonian

2025 has been a year, and it’s only June. For those working in the nonprofit space, it’s time to unite our voices and lead with courage. Today we’re speaking with organizer Vanessa Priya Daniel about her recently published book, “Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning” so we can learn how to do just that. We’re talking work amongst generations, the work of movement organizations, and the five pieces of advice she has for women leaders. JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: Groundswell Fund “Coalition Politics: Turning the Century” by Bernice Johnson Reagon WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Vanessa Priya Daniel “Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning”

Today’s guest said that her career culminated during the pandemic when she was working on her doctorate around nonprofits and organizational resilience during disruptive times. Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks has worked for and with United Way, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, and many other organizations. These experiences have created a well-rounded grant professional who understands the power of diversifying your funds, relationships in the community, and all the other skills necessary to run a successful nonprofit.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: Giving USA 2023 Charitable Report Apparel Line coming soon, monitor this link for updates   WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks  Serve University  Serve University on Instagram 

What’s the first step of the grant writing process? In what might be a shocking turn of events, it’s not grant writing. So many organizations skip the grant readiness step, and that is to their detriment. If your agency wants to find success in grant seeking and grant management, then you need to take the steps necessary to be ready for those processes. If you are unsure what all this entails, then this episode is for you.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon

Collaboration comes in so many shapes and sizes, especially when grant professionals are involved. You can sub-contract for consultants, develop a joint grant proposal, co-author journal articles, co-present workshops and webinars, and so much more. We’re joined by Dana Patterson and Melody Hernandez, two successful grant professionals in the Greater Bay Area, who have found many ways to happily collaborate – and they’re sharing their insights on what makes it successful.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: Greater Bay Area Bi-weekly Coffee Meetup with Dana and Melody – 8:30pm PACIFIC, every other Friday - Grant Professionals Association   WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Dana Patterson, GPC, Director of Development (insert link: (2) Dana Patterson | LinkedIn) Dana’s Email – Grants.dana@gmail.com Kidango (insert link: Kidango | Educating Children, Inspiring Our Future) Melody Hernandez, Founder (insert link: (4) Melody Hernandez | LinkedIn) Root Reach Rise (insert link: Root Reach Rise Inc)

Does your organization have an award or recognition program for your members? Did you ever consider using grants to fund those programs? Well, maybe you should. We are joined by David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC, Director of Grants & Development for the Society for Neuroscience. In his role he manages the organization’s award programs and grant funding, so it’s no wonder he decided to combine the two.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES:   WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC - (6) David Lindeman, CFRE, GPC | LinkedIn David’s Email – dhlindeman@gmail.com Society for Neuroscience - Society for Neuroscience - Society for Neuroscience - Advancing the Understanding of the Brain and Nervous System

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Our cohosts have. Heck, many grant professionals have. We’re sharing our own experiences, the many types of imposter syndrome, and ways to reduce/eliminate the feeling.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: “Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back from Living Your Best Life? Why you still feel like you’re faking when you’ve already made it” written by Arlin Cuncic on September 23, 2024 - Imposter Syndrome: The Five Types, How to Deal With It   Grant Professionals are Leaders – Archived webinar from January 2025 led by Amanda Day & Kimberly Hays de Muga for the Grant Professionals Association – free for GPA members; $49 for everyone else - Grant Professionals are Leaders | Grant Professionals Association

Have you ever been treated as if you couldn’t do a job or a skill because you were too old or too young? Have people stereotyped you because of your generation? Or maybe it was your gender, race, or marital status that caused folks to make assumptions about you? For our guest, Maggie Dennis, she experienced ageism by a client, and she’s sharing her story, other examples, and the fallout of such experiences.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   WHERE TO FIND OUR GUEST: Maggie Dennis - (1) Maggie Dennis | LinkedIn StoryForge - StoryForge

In October 2024, the latest changes to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (also known as 2 CFR Part 200 or Uniform Guidance) went into effect. Many changes were beneficial to grantees. And while this was recorded before the new administration started making drastic changes in the federal funding landscape, the Uniform Guidance as it stands is in effect until updated again.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES: Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR Part 200) – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards – Where to find the most current version (and you should always go with source material over what is aired in a podcast!) - eCFR :: 2 CFR Part 200 -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards   Update guidance of federal funders, and material used by Fundraising HayDay to help create this episode: Housing and Urban Development - https://hudgov-my.sharepoint.com/personal/daniel_s_celaya_hud_gov/Documents/2 CFR 200 Changes 2020 vs 2024 breakdown Environmental Protection Agency - What’s New in the Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision to 2 CFR 200 | US EPA Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - 2024 Part 200 Uniform Requirements Updates   OMB memorandum M-10-11 “Guidance on the Use of Challenges and Prizes to Promote Open Government” issued March 8, 2010 - Memoranda   To learn more about federal grant management, consider registering for the Grant Professionals Associations Next Level Grant University course on grant management - Next Level Grant Training - Grant Professionals Association

When communicating with anyone, language matters. Language is especially important when you serve as grant and/or fundraising professionals who use the written word to explain to funders the needs, successes, and goals of the communities we serve. It is vital we use inclusive language no matter who we are talking about. Joining the conversation is Maggie Dennis, GPC, a grant writer who focuses on storytelling as a tool to build community awareness and support, as well as India Phoenix and Jamie Rasmussen, by the brujas, whose mission is to create brand culture through intuitive communication strategies. We’re talking about work focused on bringing ALL people along.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon   SHOW NOTES:   WHERE TO FIND OUR GUESTS: Morgan Carpenter - (3) Morgan (Vanek) Carpenter | LinkedIn India Phoenix - (3) India Phoenix | LinkedIn Jamie Rasmussen - (3) Jamie (JR) Rasmussen | LinkedIn   by the brujas - Home | By The Brujas LLC   Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting - Carpenter Nonprofit Consulting   Morgan Carpenter’s Book “Prepare for Impact: Everything You Need to Know to Win Grants and Super-Charge Your Nonprofit” – Amazon.com: Prepare for Impact: Everything You Need to Know to Win Grants and Super-Charge Your Nonprofit eBook : Carpenter, Morgan: Kindle Store