In episode 132 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Justine Krank discuss the realities and nuances of pursuing US government grants for nonprofit organizations.
They discuss:
common misconceptions including that government grants equals federal grants
The challenges and compliance demands that come with government dollars.
How to decode complex RFPs -- the hidden requirements that can make or break an application, and
how to get an organization truly grant-ready — not just on paper, but with the capacity to manage the work.
why the human side of building relationships even in the often opaque government grant space is important
Episode highlights:
[00:08:17] Clearing Up Misconceptions About Government Grants
[00:09:24] The Challenge of Reading RFPs
[00:11:48] Why It Matters Who Writes the RFP
[00:13:49] The Hidden Details in Grant Links
[00:16:02] Budget Pitfalls in Grant Applications
[00:17:32] Federal vs. State and Local Funding
[00:20:08] Balancing Risk, Reward, and Compliance
[00:23:18] Shifting Grant Strategies Amid Funding Freezes
[00:25:45] Building True Grant Readiness
[00:28:40] How to Research Relevant Funding Streams
[00:30:56] The Often-Overlooked Human Element
[00:32:31] The Bottom Line: Alignment and Capacity
Guest Bio:
Justine founded Gold Dust Grants in January 2023 after almost 10 years in the nonprofit field. She's an Intersectional Professional with a background rooted in reproductive justice, a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and over six years of dedicated institutional grant writing experience, bringing in almost $12 million as Lead Writer. As a consultant, she leverages her experience in nonprofit contracts & compliance, and her legal studies background, to help nonprofits submit clear and cohesive proposals with a strong case for support. While the bulk of her grant experience is writing for Transition-Age Youth programs (ages 14-25), she also has extensive experience in: Housing, Mental Health, Workforce Development, and LGBTQIA+ services. She has worked on successful proposals totaling over $25 million in awards funded
Important Links and Resources:
Be in Touch:
✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them
📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact
👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend
🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.
😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn
