Madison Shampine Grant Writing & Consulting

How It Works

You may be wondering what the process looks like to hire an independent contractor and/or what it takes to start or build a grants program. Here is a general outline of what our partnership may look like. Let’s connect to discuss your unique needs! 

Before we establish a grant writing contract…

Be Grant Ready!

A common misconception is that grants are easy money, but that cannot be further from the truth. Grants often have strings attached, so it’s important you have operational capacity to manage the awards. The basics:

*Have your 501(c)(3) for at least three years

*Have at least one program or direct service to the community that is established and ongoing (with recorded success)

*Have an accountant or finance team that can establish internal controls, manage grant awards, segregate funds and track expenditures, send tax receipts, and run financial reports 

*Have time to cultivate relationships with potential and current funders

*Important Documents: IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, IRS Form 990, Board-Approved Budgets, Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statements, Board of Directors List, among others

The Discovery Call

*Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating as the destination, and where every moment is an opportunity to make your mark on the canvas of existence. The only limit is the extent of your imagination.

Once we begin grant writing services…

The Deep Dive

*I’ll ask you to send me as much written material about your history, mission, programs, and services as you have readily available. I want to study everything! Then, we will schedule a meeting to discuss your programs at length and begin strategy discussions to align your goals with the right funding opportunities.

The Feedback Loop

*Once the writing begins, you will review every application or proposal to provide feedback before final the submission. It is important the authentic voice of your nonprofit is never lost in the “grant-speak.” While I take lead on the proposal development, we will work collaboratively throughout the process.

The Knowledge Transfer

*Throughout our partnership, I help your team understand why we are making certain strategic choices, strengthening your organization’s internal capacity for the future.

You may be wondering what the process looks like to hire an independent contractor and/or what it takes to start or build a grants program. Here is a general outline of what our partnership may look like. Let’s connect to discuss your unique needs!

Before we establish a grant writing contract…

Be Grant Ready!

A common misconception is that grants are easy money, but that cannot be further from the truth. Grants often have strings attached, so it’s important you have operational capacity to manage the awards. The basics:

  • Have your 501(c)(3) for at least three years

  • Have at least one program or direct service to the community that is established and ongoing (with recorded success)

  • Have an accountant or finance team that can establish internal controls, manage grant awards, segregate funds and track expenditures, send tax receipts, and run financial reports 

  • Have time to cultivate relationships with potential and current funders

  • Important Documents: IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, IRS Form 990, Board-Approved Budgets, Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statements, Board of Directors List, among others

The Discovery Call:

If your nonprofit is great ready, let’s have a discovery call. Here, we can discuss your mission, programs, services, current revenue streams, grant program goals, and what types of services you need in a grant writer. I’ll share my experience, what a partnership could look like, and how I might be able to help you with your grant program goals.

Once we begin grant writing services…

The Deep Dive:

I’ll ask you to send me as much written material about your history, mission, programs, and services as you have readily available. I want to study everything! Then, we will schedule a meeting to discuss your programs at length and begin strategy discussions to align your goals with the right funding opportunities.

The Feedback Loop:

Once the writing begins, you will review every application or proposal to provide feedback before final the submission. It is important the authentic voice of your nonprofit is never lost in the “grant-speak.” While I take lead on the proposal development, we will work collaboratively throughout the process. 

The Knowledge Transfer:

Throughout our partnership, I help your team understand why we are making certain strategic choices, strengthening your organization’s internal capacity for the future.