Intentional.
Relationship-Based.
Impactful.
Grant Writing and Development Consulting for the Socially-Conscious
Hi! I’m Morgan.
I work with organizations to bring money to their community, through recognizing the potential to address needs in new ways,
and connect people to make equitable, direct impact.
I provide a full spectrum of grants and development related offerings.
Through over a decade of building and leveraging relationships in the name of fund-raising, I’ve helped nonprofits shape and tell their story to win over supporters authentically. I use an assets-based, intersectional, collaborative approach to develop funding proposals, utilizing genuine connections and the experience I've garnered over years of hands-on experience.
ABOUT ME
I started my own consulting business to offer a unique, intersectional approach because that's how I see the future. After a decade of working in a variety of sectors and raising over $15M for non-profits in the past five years, I deeply understand that no issue stands alone, just as no person is affected by their individual decisions. I find sincere joy in connecting new ideas, serving new audiences, and appealing to new funders by thinking in new ways with leaders in our community to create an equitable, direct impact. Through my approach, I aim to be the grants professional I wish I had when I was starting a non-profit and the thought leader I wish existed in the philanthropic space today.
The process I utilize today, of identifying a goal, scaffolding it with words, and orchestrating a tangible end product was first practiced in Springfield in 2014, where I built an arts non-profit from the ground up. I found confidence in building relationships, telling the story of community programs through the eyes of those impacted, and a passion for really explaining our needs to funders in words they could hear. My relationship-based approach has been an incredibly versatile tool, allowing me to understand and appeal to grantmakers in social services, health care, government, and higher education, and it's now my honor to share it with socially-conscious organizations and individuals seeking a new funding process.
RESUME — LINKEDIN
CLIENTS
I love working with values-driven, community-oriented organizations seeking a way to build or grow a sustainable grants portfolio. I have experience working with non-profits in nearly every sector, ranging from arts as economic development to equity in mental health care.
My approach shines most in building the case for intersectional and interdisciplinary projects. I love connecting seemingly disparate topics and appreciating the complexities of how social structures have impacted our community, as well as learning more deeply about these topics personally. In my grants approach, no social issue stands alone, and no community is seen as a 'demographic' but a dynamic group of individuals. This philosophy engages community members and staff on a new level and inspires funders to give more broadly.
Just have a small project? I appreciate those, too, and know sometimes you just need one thing taken off your plate. Meeting at the first step allows you to set firm goals, be data-driven, and build the case for future funding right from the start.
The first step in my process is to become crystal clear on each client's overarching goals, illuminating the values that will drive our work together. Whether building and maintaining a grants portfolio, reviving the budget of a struggling program, or increasing your organizational capacity with a revived enthusiasm, we'll determine together what opportunities are the 'right fit' and how to position you best to win the award. Following a high-level plan, we'll collaboratively create a grants calendar with goals in mind, build in accountability for avoiding last-minute deadlines, and craft proposals tailored to the funder.
Alongside utilizing my web of connections, I use several state-of-the-art grant prospecting and management tools. I have years of experience in best practices in the grants world through participation in the Grant Professionals Association. I have honed my methodology around accessory requirements such as logic models and braided project budgets that lessen the burden on non-profit staff while strengthening the final proposal's appeal.
Beyond my approach to best support your non-profit in winning grants, you can feel assured I'm "in it" with you. After spending over ten years in the non-profit world, I really understand how time-strapped you are and just how many plates you have spinning. Because of this, you'll never need to worry about the small stuff. I am so grateful for the efforts you put in every day to make our community a more empathetic and caring place to live - and that's precisely why I love providing standalone services to bolster your work.
Need help finding funding? Let's start a conversation!
Or contact me at mhollandgrants@gmail.com
STRATEGY
I prefer to maintain a relationship with the organizations I work with, acknowledging each organization is different and has changing needs throughout the grant life-cycle. Following an initial introductory meeting, grant- and development-related offerings are tailored to the client, depending on the nature of our work and our goals.
MENU OF OFFERINGS
PROSPECTING
Finding the Opportunity
Project-based, ongoing, or annual grant calendar planning.
Utilizing built relationships, state-of-the-art databases, landscape analysis, and search tools to identify foundation, federal, municipal, and state funding opportunities.
Focus on the 'right fit' of the funder and project to ensure a high award rate.
PLANNING
Creating Crystal Clarity
Project development and visioning sessions to refine purpose and goals.
Partner development to build collaborative grant-funded projects.
Asset development for use in approaching funders - annual reports, impact reports, logic models, budgets (organizational / project), project descriptions, and other organizational documents. Focus on visual, impact-driven materials.
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
Tying it Together
Development of compelling, intersectional appeal to funders based on program goals, including…
In-depth research to demonstrate need and program model
Asset-based writing
Creation of attachments, including braided budgets, logic models, and evaluation tools
Proofreading & editing
Timely and neat submission
GRANT MANAGEMENT
Showcasing Results
Post-award management, including report writing, focus groups, survey creation and dissemination, and other funder-required compliance.
Creation of stewardship and donor retention strategies for repeat giving.
Marketing and communications for grant awards and presentations.
Post-award impact report creation for funders, leadership, or the general public.
GRANT TRAINING & CONSULTING
Above & Beyond
Equity-focused development and grant strategy plan creation and presentation through focus groups, leadership sessions, or landscape analysis.
1:1 training or coaching sessions with leadership to help determine why past proposals were not funded and actionable steps for future applications.
Leadership coaching on philanthropic best practices, connections to local leaders in the grants field, and developing a culture of repeat giving.
Personalized staff training on how to begin finding and writing grant proposals for your organization or how to increase your capacity. Remote or in-person.