Don Akchin

Here’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make poetry pay. Write a poem about your organization’s work or mission. If selected, your organization wins a $10,000 grant AND your verse is put to music and recorded as a song.  

Pamela Grow, who blogs about grantwriting and offers grantwriting training, suggests that eight myths may be holding nonprofits back from developing effective grantwriting programs.

Marvin Teitel, a foundation executive director, has written a book about the grant proposal process as seen from the inside of a foundation. Nonprofit blogger Joanne Fritz summarizes his advice on five common mistakes grantwriters should avoid.

Serial bank robber Willie Sutton reportedly told a reporter that he robbed banks “because that’s where the money is.” This year,“where the money is” is in federal stimulus programs. All you need to do is submit grant applications – but robbing a bank might be easier. Not to worry – I just participated in an intensive, hands-on, five-day workshop on “Competing for Federal Grants,” sponsored by The Grantsmanship Center. I’ve learned a ton of techniques and tricks, as well as ways to avoid pitfalls and potholes. If you need help putting your grant together – or giving it the final polish – please give me a call. Photo Credit: Heneghan

Here is a unique opportunity to sharpen your mission statement AND win $10,000: The Heart and Soul Grant competition asks you to pen a four- to eight-line poem that captures the “heart and soul” of your mission. A jury panel of musical artists and producers selects one winner based on the quality and impact of the lyrics, and the winner’s lyrics are put to song by Grammy Award-winners Los Lonely Boys. Deadline for entries is August 15th. For details, visit www.ctkfoundation.org and click on the gold “Foundation” tab.