Search For Anything!

By most measures, it looked like a success.   The Junior League’s annual gala filled a room. Volunteers had spent months gathering items. Entire rooms were dedicated to the silent auction. Tables overflowed with donated packages, experiences, baskets, and gifts. It was busy. It was full. It was exhausting.   And when the night was over and the numbers were tallied, the results were underwhelming. After months of planning and a room full of donated value, the silent auction raised less than $15,000.   No one had done anything “wrong.” The volunteers worked hard.The event happened as planned and traditions upheld.   But effort didn’t match the outcome.   This was the moment a group of smart, savvy women did something many organizations never slow down enough to do: they looked closely. Not defensively. Not sentimentally. Honestly. They asked hard questions: ●      How many volunteer hours did this actually take? ●      What did this cost in energy and burnout? ●      If we removed emotion and tradition, was this worth it?   The answers were uncomfortable. The silent auction wasn’t just underperforming, it was draining the very people who made the organization work.   So the following year, they made a decision that had nothing to do with working harder. They did less.   They eliminated rooms of low-dollar items and focused on a small number of high-value, tangible offerings. Just two tables. Fewer volunteers. Less chaos. Clearer purpose.   That year, proceeds tripled. 💰💰💰   But here’s the important part: the breakthrough wasn't a better auction strategy. It was the willingness to examine reality instead of effort.   Many nonprofit organizations operate on momentum. Events repeat because they always have. Activities continue because they feel productive. Success is measured by how much gets done rather than what actually changes.   The strongest fundraising organizations aren’t the ones doing the most. They’re the ones willing to pause, look honestly at the return on their energy, and make decisions based on evidence. They do this before burnout or disappointment forces the issue.   If a fundraising event doesn’t deliver what you hoped, the most important question isn’t, “How do we fix the event?”   It’s: Is this worth it?   Janeal Ford President & CEO, IN Fundraising

Key Takeaways: Navigating Major Donor Due Diligence Major donors vet non-profits with the same rigor as business investments, focusing on long-term financial solvency, transparent fund allocation, and measurable impact data. By proactively addressing these essential due diligence questions and achieving benchmarks like the Candid Seal of Transparency (a process IN Fundraising  helps you navigate and exceed) your organization can build high-level trust trust necessary to secure transformative major gifts. 1.  How donors vet non-profits for stability and governance (Building Trust) Why do donors vet governance?  Donors want assurance that the organization will exist long enough to achieve its mission. They evaluate leadership and internal controls to mitigate risk. Leadership:  Who serves on your board, and what is their personal giving commitment? Oversight:  What is your board structure, and how frequently do they meet? Succession Planning:  Is there a formal plan for executive leadership transitions? Accountability Systems:  What controls prevent fraud or conflicts of interest? Mission Drift:  How do you protect the core mission from changing over time? Growth Capacity:  Can you effectively manage a sudden influx of major capital? 2. Is your non-profit financially healthy and accountable? (Fiscal Management) How do donors evaluate non-profit finances?  Donors vet non-profits like businesses, looking for efficiency and fiscal responsibility. They want to see that you are not solely dependent on a single source of income. Long-term Solvency:  How do you define and ensure financial health over time? Revenue Diversification:  What is the balance between grants, individuals, and earned income? Fund Allocation:  What percentage of gifts goes to programs vs. administration? Radical Transparency:  Are your Form 990s and audited financials easily accessible? IN Fundraising helps organizations organize these documents to meet rigorous donor standards. Fundraising Ethics:  What are your internal policies on donor confidentiality? 3. How do you measure impact and vision? (Investing in Results) How is non-profit impact measured?  Major donors look for clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) that prove a non-profit's programs are working and that the organization has a clear vision for the future. Impact Metrics:  What specific data points prove your programs are working? Scalability:  How will a major gift allow you to expand your reach? Sustainability:  How will the program continue once the initial gift is spent? Benchmarking:  How does your impact compare to similar organizations in your field? Visionary Goals:  What is the ultimate "destination" for your organization in the next 5–10 years? Community Feedback:  How do the people you serve inform your program development? The 62% Advantage: Data-Backed Transparency The link between transparency and fundraising success is measurable. According to data from Candid, non-profits that earn a Seal of Transparency  see contributions increase by an average of 62% in the following year. This statistic proves that proactively sharing verifiable data builds the confidence necessary to drive major gifts. Master Your Due Diligence with IN Fundraising Don’t wait for a donor to ask these questions to start finding the answers. By proactively addressing these points in a cohesive, professionally designed document, you signal to investors that your non-profit is a safe, high-impact place for their capital. IN Fundraising  provides the strategic oversight and documentation needed to satisfy the most rigorous donor vetting processes. Contact us today to start your Case for Support.

Grant denials feel personal. I see it every day.  We submit hundreds of applications a year and denials are expected. Several denials in a row change the dynamic. The nonprofit looks to the grant writer for answers. The grant writer goes back to the program staff for more detail. The case gets refined. The language gets tighter. Another application goes out. Then another denial comes back.   From the outside, it looks like a writing problem. The truth is denials have very little to do with writing quality. Instead, it reflects what didn’t happen before the proposal was submitted.     As leaders, we’ve blurred a critical line. Grant writing is not fundraising. It doesn’t create belief or excitement. It documents belief and excitement that already exist.   When nonprofits rely on proposals to introduce their work, make the case, and build trust all at once, they’re asking for a document to do a human job. Documents don’t build relationships .   Across organizations experiencing denial after denial, the pattern is consistent. The grants are solid. The programs are legitimate. The grant writer is doing their job. What’s missing is personal engagement with funders . Few conversations. Little cultivation. Minimal effort beyond the application portal.   Grant writing is a translator. It translates momentum, confidence, impact, and relationships already in motion. Without those, even strong proposals function as basic introductions, not invitations.   When no one internally owns relationship building, the responsibility gets quietly assigned to the proposal, and to the grant writer. That’s an impossible role for any document, or person to carry.   Organizations that get funded consistently aren’t better writers. They’re more present. Someone owns funder relationships. Conversations happen before applications.   If grants aren’t converting, the better question isn’t “How do we write better grants?” It’s “Who is responsible for making our work known before we apply?”   Funding decisions are human decisions. Humans fund what they recognize and trust. Grant denials don’t mean your work lacks value. They often just mean paperwork was asked to do the work of connection.   Stop editing the proposal and start owning the relationship.

Meet the expert IN Fundraising team, dedicated to strategic fundraising solutions. Discover how our professionals help organizations achieve financial success with tailored strategies. Our Team Members Janeal Ford, MPA, CFRE President and CEO Janeal Ford is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer. After a 15-year career in nonprofit fundraising, Janeal started Fordable Fundraising to help leaders strengthen community engagement and improve resource gathering. Chloe Wolk Administrative and HR Assistant Chloe is the Administrative and HR Assistant at IN Fundraising, using practiced organization and systems development to strengthen internal operations and directly support CEO Janeal Ford. Susan Johnson Grants Manager Susan Johnson serves as Grants Manager with IN Fundraising. She brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and expertise in fundraising, partnerships, and organizational development. Taylor Nicholson Senior Grant Writer Taylor Nicholson serves as a Grant Writer with IN Fundraising. She has worked and volunteered with a variety of non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. Sara Garcia Grant Writer Sara Garcia is a Grant Writer with IN Fundraising. With over 10 years of volunteer experience and an extensive background in research, and specializing in mental health, disability advocacy, and community development. Casey Logan Case Writer Casey is a Cause Writer who shapes mission-aligned messaging and funding strategies to help nonprofits grow, connect, and thrive. Sarah Miller Grant Writer Sarah blends storytelling, strategic marketing, and grant writing to support nonprofits and artists, drawing on a decade of creative experience. Annie Schwab Grant Writer Annie combines nonprofit expertise and strategic storytelling to craft compelling grant narratives that advance education, equity, and community-focused missions Shannon Consolino Government Grant Writer Shannon McIntyre Consolino is a contracted government grant writer with expertise in federal, state, and local funding, helping mission-driven organizations secure sustainable resources for community impact. Duane Herron Government Grant Writer Duane L. Herron, MPH brings more than a decade of experience in public health leadership, community-based program development, and grants management across local, state, and nonprofit sectors. His work centers on advancing health equity through strategic funding, systems-building, and data-informed community solutions.

Discover expert fundraising services with IN Fundraising. From strategic planning to donor engagement, we provide tailored solutions to help organizations achieve financial success. Our Services Need more help? Book a meeting with us to learn how we can help you achieve your goals. Consulting IN Fundraising provides 501c3 nonprofit charities with consulting and grant writing. Services are designed to help you raise more money, stress less, and achieve greater mission impact. Case for Support Craft a Compelling Solution Story. Creating a compelling case for support is the foundation of successful grant applications. We can help you to tell your nonprofit’s story like never before. With expert guidance, you’ll articulate your program’s solution, its goals and impact with clarity and passion. Grab the attention of grant reviewers and leave a lasting impression. Grant Writing Grant writing is hard, and often one of the most overwhelming tasks for nonprofit teams. It takes time, structure, and a thoughtful approach to get it right. IN Fundraising helps you create space for relationship building by managing the writing. Our team helps clarify your message, identify aligned funders, and keep everything organized so you can focus on what matters most. Using our clear, two-step system, we prepare your team to submit stronger proposals, stay focused, and pursue the grants that truly match your mission.

Elevate Your Charity’s Mission with a Compelling Case for Support Case for Support Craft a Compelling Solution Story. Creating a compelling case for support is the foundation of successful grant applications. We can help you to tell your nonprofit’s story like never before. With expert guidance, you’ll articulate your program’s solution, its goals and impact with clarity and passion. Grab the attention of grant reviewers and leave a lasting impression. Meet with a Specialist Maximize Your Impact A strong case for support is foundational to a healthy fundraising program. A good case clarifies answers to questions most frequently asked by savvy donors and conveys a compelling reason to invest in your nonprofit's solutions. Case statements prepared by IN Fundraising are comprehensive enough to support the completion of grant applications, and can be repurposed for fundraising campaigns, awareness building, and marketing. The case for support takes approximately six weeks to complete. With our comprehensive case for support, your charity will benefit from a message that resonates deeply with your current and future supporters. Our dedicated writing team will work with you to gather information, prepare a writing plan, and conduct a message strategy session to clarify the program design. A literature review will be completed to substantiate the need, and we will conduct interviews with your program leaders or subject matter experts to confirm and clarify information. With two rounds of review and edits, you can be confident that your case for support will be polished and ready to make an impact. Fundraising Assessment Get a full picture of your organization’s fundraising health with an assessment. With our fundraising assessment, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your fundraising resources. The assessment evaluates your organization’s: Culture Strategy Case for support Stakeholder development Leadership Donor relations All this to identify strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations. By understanding your organization’s overall fundraising health, you’ll be able to prioritize and allocate your resources more effectively, leading to more successful fundraising campaigns and ultimately more impact for your cause. Request a consultation to learn more. Next Previous Book a meeting Book a meeting with us to see how we can take your non-profit to the next level Unleash Your Fundraising Potential