Qualified organizations doing great work need grant writers for a variety of reasons. The reasons include: There is no wrong reason or time to hire a grant writer. A good grant writer can act as a coach, and help refine your organizational approaches and strategy with objective eyes. A grant writer can also make…
Leadership development is the number one most overlooked aspect of a successful grant application. In this context, leadership development means developing yourself as a self-aware leader who is intentional about building a healthy working environment. In fact, organizational culture may be the number one most overlooked element of building a strong and healthy organization. Who…
Avoid common mistakes on your next funding application! A grant application takes a significant amount of time and attention. On average, a state or federal grant can take 120 hours of work. This is weeks of your team’s time! If you are going to spend time or hire a consultant to write an application, it…
A reminder for the change-makers. Before I was a consultant, I was the Chief Executive Officer of a small CDFI credit union in Chicago. It was small enough that I knew quite a few members by name. One quiet afternoon, I was standing at the teller station with an employee. We struck up a conversation…
Intentional change doesn’t come from accidental success. Your leadership team has decided it wants to make a big impact on ‘the community.’ The project could range from launching a new financial education program to running a charitable drive for a local school. Whatever the scope, you want to help your corner of the world gain…
Your organization has a clear mission and vision, and solves a societal problem. So, you invest in accomplishing your organization’s mission by spending time, attention, and financial resources. Your organization structure is less relevant than the specific impact you have in mind to change the world. You track outcomes and impact, and know where you…
Abstract Place-based community development in America has a rich history. Practices and procedures for successful redevelopment are supported by lobbying efforts, public administration, policy, federal funding, and the efforts of non-profits dedicated to neighborhood revitalization. Community revitalization work is often centered around specific geographic locations, while in recent decades modern technology has caused social networks…
Yes, the person featured in all of the photos on the side of the building is me, Sarah Hope Marshall. The building is Biomarin Pharmaceutical’s headquarters in Novato, California. The picture may look like an awareness campaign. When I see this wall of photographs, I see why representation matters. My picture on the side of…
Chicago, Illinois is the place I call home. The Windy City is recognized for its hardball politics and organizing history. In the late 1800s, the Pullman Strike led to major advances in improved labor law. Saul Alinsky, a well known community activist, spent his career in Chicago. He authored Rules for Radicals, still a popular handbook for…
Owners, executives, and bosses hold their own businesses back. That statement might hit a little hard if you fit the description. You might protest and say, “No, it’s the market!” or “it’s the competition!” or “it’s our lack of ___________(fill in the blank with your most frustrating operational challenge!” Conversely, you might agree with this…