McGrants – Drive-Through Moments

Even nonprofits that never receive federal grants are feeling the effects of federal funding reductions. Organizations losing government support are turning to foundations and individual donors, increasing competition...

Organizations often respond to financial pressure by adding more grants to the pipeline without considering who will develop, implement, manage, and report on them. This episode explores what happens when grant...

The 2026 State of Nonprofits report found that 57% of nonprofit CEOs say securing foundation grants has become harder since January 2025, 44% have experienced reduced foundation funding, and 66% are concerned about...

A longer list of possible grants doesn't always produce better results. This conversation explores why organizations should focus on building the right grant portfolio instead of pursuing every opportunity that comes...

Grant guidelines don't always say everything they're trying to communicate. Learn how experienced grant professionals look beyond eligibility requirements to understand what funders are really looking for.

Organizations often focus on landing the biggest grant possible. But the strongest grant programs are usually built one relationship, one outcome, and one successful project at a time. This episode explores why starting...

Not every corporate opportunity comes as a check. This episode explores how nonprofits can evaluate corporate volunteerism, in-kind support, employee engagement, sponsorships, and skills-based partnerships without...

AI can help grant professionals work faster, but it can also create generic, inaccurate, or funder-misaligned proposals when used poorly. This episode explores how to use AI responsibly without losing strategy...

In this episode of McGrants: Drive-Through Moments, Keri and Valerie discuss what consultants should focus on during the first 30 days with a new grant client. From understanding the organization’s programs, funding...

In this episode of McGrants: Drive-Through Moments, Keri and Valerie discuss how nonprofit organizations and grant professionals can adapt when grant rules change. Grant guidelines, deadlines, eligibility requirements...

Strong organizations plan beyond today's needs. This conversation explores how nonprofits can work with foundations to strengthen financial resilience, build operating reserves, and create long-term stability.

Every grantmaker relationship starts somewhere. Two GPC experts discuss practical ways new organizations can begin connecting with funders, building credibility, and creating meaningful relationships before the proposal...

Getting turned down doesn't always mean moving on. This conversation explores how to evaluate grant rejections, determine whether a funder is still a strong fit, and decide when persistence makes sense versus when it's...

The best grants lead to more opportunities. This conversation explores how reporting, stewardship, and thoughtful follow-up can transform a one-time award into an ongoing funder partnership.

Funders want results—but not every metric tells the right story. This discussion focuses on selecting outcomes that demonstrate meaningful impact and strengthen proposal credibility.