Episode #41: Securing Grants with Susan Taylor

About The Episode
This week on The Fundraising Elevator we talk to Susan Taylor, founder and CEO of The Grant Lab, about the changing landscape of grant funding and what nonprofits should be thinking about now when they apply. We explore how to find good funding fits for your organization, what a compelling proposal looks like and follow-up strategies.
Understanding Grants: Susan breaks down what grants are, different types of grants available, and how they can benefit your organization. Discover the various types of grants available, including project-based grants, general operating support, and capital grants, and how each can benefit your organization.
Grant Research: Susan shares her top tips for researching and identifying the right grant opportunities for your nonprofit. Learn how to use databases, foundation directories, and networking to find potential funders. Understand the importance of aligning your organization's mission and projects with the interests and priorities of potential funders to increase your chances of success.
Writing a Compelling Grant Proposal: Discover the essential components of a winning grant proposal, including crafting a powerful narrative, setting clear goals, and demonstrating impact. Learn how to tailor each grant proposal to the specific funder’s guidelines and interests, making your application stand out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Susan highlights common pitfalls in grant writing, such as unclear objectives, lack of supporting data, and ignoring funder guidelines, and how to steer clear of them.
Follow-Up Strategies: Effective ways to follow up with funders after submitting your proposal to increase your chances of success. Explore effective ways to follow up with funders after submitting your proposal, including thank-you notes, progress updates, and maintaining open communication. Learn how to build and nurture relationships with funders to enhance future grant opportunities and long-term support.
Real-Life Success Stories: Susan recounts some of her most successful grant applications and the significant impact they had on the organizations she worked with, providing inspiration and practical insights.
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Speakers
Samantha Swaim
LinkedIn: / samantha-swaim-a28a9a4
Instagram (Swaim Strategies): / swaimstrategies
Kristin Steele
LinkedIn: / kristin-steele777
Instagram (Swaim Strategies): / swaimstrategies
Susan Taylor
Susan Taylor is founder and CEO of The Grant Lab, a boutique consulting firm that provides grant development services to build thriving, prosperous communities. Susan is passionate about grant writing to create social change and supporting the work of organizations that improve our world and save lives. She has guided nonprofits and public entities in securing more than $60 million in grant funding.
Susan’s curious mind has led her to pursue a wide array of experiences from a 10-week camping trip across the country, to a Fulbright scholarship to study fundraising in Germany, to competing in her first athletic event in her 40s, a regatta! She holds a Masters in Public Administration and a CFRE, and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, two kids, and two cats.
/ thegrantslab
/ susan-taylor
Resources
Book Consulting Time with Sam and Kristin: swaimstrategies.com/solutions...
Learn More About Elevate and the Elevate Conference for Your Fundraising Events: elevatenonprofit.com/
Connect with The AV Department: theavdept.com/
Swaim Strategies: swaimstrategies.com
Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: swaimstrategies.com/solutions...
The Grant Lab: thegrantslab.com/