🎯 Grant writing isn’t about chasing every opportunity—it’s about focusing on the RIGHT ones. To streamline this process, I use tools like Instrumentl, which helps identify the best matches and analyze funders efficiently. My approach focuses on aligning grant opportunities with an organization’s mission and targeting those with the highest probability of success. A little strategy upfront can make all the difference.

I appreciate the numerous resources available to me in my new role. One resource that has been “instrumental” (pun intended) this past year is Instrumentl. Thank you for your countless webinars and newsletters, as they have helped me hone my skills and develop new systems and processes that help with efficiency and effectiveness. I’m looking forward to another year with you in 2025!

Mandarin's Retreat just got their first ever grant from the El Paso Foundation! They found the El Paso Foundation by using a free trial version of software by Instrumentl. Instrumentl's free webinars have helped the staff (me) learn some of the ins and outs of grant writing and submissions.

We've got some exciting news to share! Our client, ProAction Emergency Services Institute, was just awarded a 2024 Workforce Development grant of $45,000!! 👏👏👏 We'd also like to include that Instrumentl was such a massive help in locating this grant! Thank you for such a thorough and time-saving system!

I love using Instrumentl for grant prospecting, research, tracking- all the things! Their keyword feature is a great way to have personalized grant opportunity matches come right to you related to your specific field of work or service. It makes it so simple to access aligned opportunities! 😃🎉

I have benefited so much from beta-testing the new AI functionality from Instrumentl. It has already saved me so much time in writing grants. I love the responsiveness of their team to feedback and their constant exploration of ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the grant research, writing, and management process. DM me if you'd like to learn more about the @Instrumentl AI functionality. #BeInstrumentl …more

Just attended this great session by Instrumentl and Mockingbird Analytics reflecting on grant trends from this year and forecasting grant / sector trends for 2025. I always love learning from others in the sector and brainstorming how we can adapt to raise the necessary funds that keep our organizations resilient 💪🏼✨

I manage grants for small to mid-size nonprofit organizations, and my clients always ask me the same question: "How do you manage to add 3-5 new grant opportunities to our grant calendar each month?" I could claim to be a grant research wizard, but the truth is that I subscribe to several grant research software tools. And if I could only choose one tool, it would be Instrumentl. I save at least 3 hours/week because I use Instrumentl. If you are responsible for prospecting, tracking, or managing grants, start your 14-day trial today. (DM for my link with discount code) Nia Gorbunova Ryan Carruthers #BeInstrumentl #GrantWriting #WriteEpicGrants …more

✨ Top 3 Things to Include in your Power Prospectus✨ How do you start a relationship with a funder? What an informative session today from Instrumentl's 2025 Grant Forecast Webinar...

Instrumentl is great! We found new funders that have really helped us rev up our grant work! And the workshops they do are great.

As a grant writer and fundraising consultant, staying on top of grant research and deadlines can feel overwhelming. That’s why Instrumentl is such a powerful tool! With Instrumentl, you can: ✅ Discover grants ✅ Track application deadlines with ease ✅ Manage multiple projects seamlessly ✅ Use its AI-powered grant writing tool to streamline proposals The best part? It’s all in one platform! If you’re a nonprofit professional, grant writer, or fundraiser looking to level up your grant game, message me to start your 14-day free trial today. Let Instrumentl do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most. #BeInstrumentl #grantwriting …more

Working on grant funding can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Instrumentl has been a game-changer! It's streamlined the process from research to tracking, helping me find relevant grants quickly and stay organized. With its powerful search filters and ability to save and categorize grant opportunities, Instrumentl simplifies every step—researching potential funders or managing application deadlines, empowering you to take control of your grant funding journey.

One of the ways I am able to successfully manage multiple grant clients is because Instrumentl makes reporting easy. Transfer those spreadsheets over to Instrumentl for one-click reporting. If you are responsible for prospecting, tracking, or managing grants, start your 14-day trial today. (My link with discount code is in the first comment.) Nia Gorbunova Ryan Carruthers #BeInstrumentl #GrantWriting #WriteEpicGrants …more

🎯 Step 1 of nonprofit fundraising: Just ask Oprah for money. 🎯 Step 2: LOL! That’s not how it works. We’ve all had that well-meaning board member suggest, “Why don’t we just ask Oprah for a grant?” If only it were that easy! Successful grant seeking requires more than reaching out to a celebrity. It takes a solid strategy focused on finding aligned foundations and corporations that share your mission. Platforms like Instrumentl are a great place to start, helping you discover the right funders without relying on a shot in the dark. So unless Oprah is on your board (in which case, let’s definitely talk!), DM or comment for a link to a 2-week free trial and discount code to get started with Instrumentl! Or reach out if you want to chat about collaborating on a grant strategy or other grant writing services. #NonprofitLife #GrantWriting #BeInstrumentl #GrantStrategy #NonprofitTips …more

🚀 Thinking About Starting a Nonprofit? Let’s Talk Funding! 🚀 Starting a nonprofit is an exciting journey, but finding the right funding can be a challenge. Luckily, there are amazing tools like Instrumentl to make the process easier! 💡 Instrumentl helps grantseekers discover best-fit grants, streamline proposal writing with AI, and manage the entire grant lifecycle—all in one place. With over 20,000 active grants in their database, you’re sure to find the opportunities you need. 🏆 I’ve compiled a list of grants perfect for nonprofit startups—want to learn more? 🤔 DM me or comment below to get my referral link and a special discount code! 🗝️ #BeInstrumentl #nonprofitstartup #grantwriting #fundraisingtips

Wearing multiple hats = More personal growth and opportunity 🧢 Hear me out—the chance to wear multiple hats at an organization comes with the opportunity to develop new skills, take on diverse responsibilities, and demonstrate experience in many areas so you are well-positioned for future promotions or career paths. On the other hand, it requires excellent time management and organizational skills to stay on top of everything, or you risk being burnt out or spread too thin. Here’s how I do it and the tools that make it easier: 📱Social Media & Newsletters: I use HubSpot to schedule posts, send our e-newsletter, and plan our content calendar. 📝 Grant Writing: For grant proposals, Instrumentl helps me stay organized by tracking deadlines, finding opportunities, and managing the entire grant application process (linked below if you want to try). 🎤 Event Planning: Planning events like the annual JASON National Conference involves a lot of coordination. I rely on monday.com and Google Workspace to manage tasks, assign deadlines, and collaborate with the team. Having the right tools in place makes all the difference in managing my time and responsibilities and helps me avoid being overextended. What hats do you wear in your role? How do you prioritize your varying tasks and ensure quality work? 🔗 lnkd.in/ethbj6Q8 #NonprofitLife #PersonalGrowth #Adaptability #GrantWriting #EventPlanning #SocialMedia #Organization #Timemanagement #beInstrumentl #ProfessionalGrowth …more

I’m often asked to recommend project management tools. As a project management consultant, I stay current with popular tools so that I am able to use the tools my clients are using. While I’m generally agnostic about tools so that I can make recommendations based on a client’s specific needs and environment rather than my own preferences or relationships with vendors, I do maintain vendor relationships so that I can ease adoption of various tools. In many cases, a new tool isn’t necessary. I often ask clients to consider the tools that are already available to their organization. Project management features are increasingly being built into other types of tools and platforms, allowing our teams to manage their work with the tools they are already using. We see examples of this with MS Teams and Slack. Although these are primarily team communication and collaboration tools, it’s easy to create and share task lists and documents. Many organizations using Microsoft Office may have access to Project and Planner. And Google Docs can be used to create and share tasks lists and plans. Another example of this is Instrumentl, the grant management platform. I like Instrumentl because their project approach to managing your grants process allows you to create tasks and deadlines for yourself and your team members and to easily store proposals. Are there project management or task management features built into the tools you are using? Comment or DM me if you’d like to talk about more project management tools, including Instrumentl. #projectmanagement #projectmanagementtools #BeInstrumentl …more

Grant funding is a lifeline for many nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. But if you've ever managed a grant-funded project, you know they come with unique challenges. A few key differences between grant-funded projects and other types of projects include: ⌛ Fixed Budgets & Timelines: Grants typically have set funding amounts and specific timeframes, requiring careful budgeting and milestone management. 💰 Multiple Funding Sources: It's not uncommon to have both internal and external funding, which can complicate budget management. 🗺 Planning Challenges: Grant proposals often require us to create a project plan far in advance, and these plans can become outdated by the time funding is approved and received and the project begins. How can we deal with these challenges? ✅ Create a comprehensive project plan: Don't just rely on the initial plan you submitted to get the grant approved. Things change! Review that plan, update it with current details, and ensure it covers scope, stakeholders, deliverables, schedule, and communication. ✅ Plan for Funder Communication: Understand what information your funders need to know. Create a communication plan that outlines how and when you'll provide that information and updates. ✅ Pay close attention to schedule: Spend extra time on schedule planning to ensure you are meeting funder requirements. Set tasks and deadlines for reports. End-to-end grant management tools like Instrumentl make this easy! (Comment or DM me if you’d like to try Instrumentl!) How do you deal with the challenges of managing grant-funded projects? #projectmanagement #grants #nonprofits #BeInstrumentl …more

Grant Myth: Small nonprofits can’t compete with larger organizations for grants. Grant Reality: Size doesn’t always matter! Many believe that larger nonprofits have the upper hand when it comes to securing grants, but small nonprofits can be just as competitive—sometimes even more so! Funders often value grassroots organizations because of their deep community connections and ability to make a tangible impact. Platforms like Instrumentl help you find the right opportunities tailored to your size and mission, helping you level the playing field and win the grants that fuel your work. Want to learn more? DM or comment below, and we’ll share a 2-week free trial and discount code to get started with Instrumentl! Or reach out to discuss how we can help with your grant strategy and services to win the funding you need. #BeInstrumentl #GrantWriting #SmallNonprofits #NonprofitTips …more

Eight candid truths about grant writing that often go unmentioned: ❌ Rejection is Part of the Process: A “no” often isn’t about your project but about funders' priorities, timing, or competition. Remember, rejection is valuable feedback, not a reflection of your worth or the merit of your work. 📝 Clarity > Complexity: Jargon and complex language can harm your proposal. Funders want a clear, compelling story about why your project matters and why they should fund it, so keep it straightforward! 💰 Budgets are as Important as the Narrative: Your budget tells funders that you understand what’s realistically required to achieve your goals. Transparent, well-justified budgets build credibility and show funders exactly how their money will make a difference. 🤝 Relationship-building is Key: Knowing your funder will give you an edge. Understanding their mission, attending their events, and maintaining open communication can make them see you as a partner rather than just an applicant. 🔄 One Size Does NOT Fit All: A proposal template can save time, but tailoring each application to the funder's goals is critical. Funders can tell when a proposal is recycled, and customizations can significantly improve your chances. Tools like Instrumentl can help you find funders whose goals align closely with your project, making customization easier and more effective. ⏳ It’s Time-Intensive: Grant writing requires planning, research, and multiple rounds of edits. Even a “short” proposal needs dedicated time and focus to make sure it’s polished and coherent. Rushing shows! Grant writing requires time management and patience. 🔍 Details Matter—A LOT: Minor errors, like missing a required attachment or requesting more than the funding range, can lead to instant disqualification. Double-checking guidelines, deadlines, and requirements is critical. 🚀 Grant Writing is Only the Beginning: Winning a grant is just the start. Funders often expect regular updates, evaluations, and reports. Tracking progress and demonstrating your impact is crucial to maintaining funder relationships for future projects. Grant writing isn’t easy, but each application brings you closer to the funding needed to make a real impact. Remember: perseverance, clarity, and thoughtful preparation can turn your vision into a reality. Stay focused, learn from every experience, and keep pushing forward—because the work you’re doing truly matters! ✨ 🔗 Link to the Instrumentl tool if you’re interested in trying it out: lnkd.in/ethbj6Q8 #GrantWriting #Nonprofit #Funding #Philanthropy #Fundraising #ProposalWriting #Grants #NonprofitTips #WritingCommunity #SocialImpact #ImpactFunding #FundingOpportunities #GrantWriters #MythVsTruth #beInstrumentl …more

How does a grant writer know if a funding opportunity is a good match? Here are just a few of the questions I ask: ❓ Have they funded similar projects before? ❓ Does our mission match their funding objectives? ❓ Is the funding amount appropriate for the project? ❓Do we meet or exceed their guidelines? How do I locate and analyze the information to answer these questions and vet funding opportunities? I use Instrumentl. I can find the answers to these questions and more in one place. If you are responsible for prospecting, tracking, or managing grants, start your 14-day trial today. (My link with discount code is in the first comment.) Nia Gorbunova Ryan Carruthers #BeInstrumentl #GrantWriting #WriteEpicGrants …more

Living in Philly since 2018 has given me a front-row seat to the unique nonprofit scene around here. With over 15,000 nonprofits in the Philly area, I can say the city is a 'little' oversaturated. The competition for local funding is a bit intense, so many great organizations are all chasing those limited resources. In a city where local resources are stretched so thin, the real cheat code is looking beyond city limits and tapping into national support. This year, I have helped secure funding for a client from national organizations like the NBA Foundation! To help me navigate this, I've been using Instrumentl to find funding opportunities outside of Philly, making it so much easier to search for opportunities, streamline applications, and keep track of deadlines—all in one spot. Curious about how Instrumentl can help your organization grow? DM me for my referral link and a discount code to get started. #BeInstrumentl #grantwriting #nonprofitfunding #phillynonprofits #fundraisingtips …more

🌟 Ready to build a rock-solid financial foundation for your nonprofit? Join me on December 5 as I unpack the strategies that have helped countless nonprofits achieve sustainable funding and financial stability. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅Strategies to turn your board into champions of funding diversification ✅A roadmap to create sustainable, multi-stream income ✅Tools to unlock overlooked funding opportunities Free to register. Spots are limited. 🔗 Save yours now! lnkd.in/gNVthEj4 #BEINSTRUMENTL #FUNDRAISING …more

👂 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒐𝒇 “𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈” 𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔. 💡 In my view, ALL boards work. The challenge is what they’re working on: governing effectively or performing the day-to-day work of their nonprofits? One thing I’ve heard executives say is that a board member writes grants for them. Perhaps a nice skill to have in a volunteer but you may be missing out on good governance if this board member’s time is limited. I’ve learned of a resource that’s helpful for grant writers and in lieu of them. I’m not a fundraiser but I have trusted colleagues who are, and they have high praise for Instrumentl. Check out their website and start a free trial. DM me if you have questions. Use HILAND50 to get $50 off your first paid month. #NonprofitFunding #GrantWriting #Instrumentl #BeInstrumentl