Page Hinerman
Conversation Date: September 10th, 2024 12pm CST
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Mastering Grant Management: A Deep Dive with Page Hinerman
In this episode of the Million Dollar Nonprofit Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Page Hinerman, an expert in nonprofit development with 16 years of experience in capacity building and technical assistance. Page has helped raise over $17 million in funding and designed multimillion-dollar grant-making portfolios. With her vast experience, Page provided invaluable insights into grant management, from securing grants to effectively managing them after they’re awarded.
Here’s a summary of the key points from our conversation.
Building Relationships: The Foundation of Successful Grant Applications
According to Page, one of the most overlooked aspects of securing grants is building relationships with funders. While many nonprofits may send in cold applications to state or federal agencies, Page advises focusing on relationship-building as a strategy to increase your chances of success. A simple email introduction to the funder can make a huge difference.
“When the funding is transactional, it can only go so deep,” Page shared. Establishing a meaningful connection can make the difference between a successful or rejected application.
Expanding Beyond Government Grants
When people think about grants, government agencies are often top of mind. However, Page highlighted that there are many other opportunities for funding, such as private foundations, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs from companies like Walmart and CVS, and even individual donors.
Private foundations often fund specific geographic locations or service areas, making them an excellent resource for nonprofits to tap into. You can do a quick Google search to find foundations aligned with your organization’s mission.
Grant Management: It Doesn’t Stop at the Award
Many nonprofits make the mistake of thinking that once the grant is awarded, the work is over. Page emphasized that grant management is just as crucial as securing the grant. Key systems like award notifications, compliance tracking, and team-wide communication are essential for ensuring that the grant is implemented as promised.
“When a grant is awarded, there’s a responsibility attached to it,” Page warned. Mismanagement of the grant can result in losing future funding opportunities and even damage your reputation with other funders.
Private foundations often fund specific geographic locations or service areas, making them an excellent resource for nonprofits to tap into. You can do a quick Google search to find foundations aligned with your organization’s mission.
Staying Compliant and Communicating with Funders
Grant compliance is critical. Failure to adhere to grant requirements can lead to loss of future funding opportunities, not only from the current funder but also from other funders in the same network.
Page stressed the importance of over-communication: “Even if you’re falling behind, get ahead of it by communicating with your funder. They respect transparency and are often willing to provide help or flexibility.”
Key Steps After Being Awarded a Grant
After receiving a grant, nonprofits should take immediate action to ensure smooth grant management. Page outlined the first three essential steps:
1. Kickoff Meeting
Have a meeting with everyone involved, including your fiscal and program teams. Discuss the grant's details, key deliverables, reporting cycles, and internal and external points of contact.
2. Award Memo
Create a brief document summarizing the grant and distribute it to your team so everyone stays on the same page.
3. Reporting and Implementation Calendar
Map out the timeline for reporting back to funders and meeting grant requirements. This will help avoid last-minute scrambles and ensure that your organization remains compliant.
When to Hire a Grant Admin
One question often asked by nonprofit leaders is when to hire a grant admin. Page advised that as soon as the organization can financially sustain the position, it’s time to make that hire. “As soon as possible,” Page said, “because it’s not the CEO’s responsibility.”
While in some cases, the CEO or founder might manage grants initially, it’s crucial to transition to a dedicated grant admin as the organization grows. Writing the grant admin’s salary into future grants is a common practice, and it’s something many organizations should consider.
Leveraging Grant Success for Future Funding
Nonprofits that successfully manage their grants can leverage these achievements to secure more funding. According to Page, storytelling is a powerful tool in this process. Keep track of your data, successes, and challenges, and use them to create compelling reports and narratives to share with funders.
Additionally, maintaining a good relationship with your funders goes a long way. Follow up after submitting your final reports to discuss future funding cycles.
Common Mistakes in Grant Management
One of the most common mistakes Page sees is nonprofits operating without proper grant management systems in place. Many organizations think they need to spend a lot of money on advanced software, but Page insists that simple tools like Excel and Word can do the job effectively.
“Don’t get stuck thinking you need to spend a lot of money to make it work,” Page advised. “Start simple, and build your processes over time.”
Conclusion
Grant management is a critical function in the nonprofit world. By building relationships, staying compliant, and leveraging past successes, nonprofits can maximize their grant opportunities and create transformational growth. Page Hinerman’s insights are a valuable resource for any organization looking to scale through grants.
Page Hinerman
Digital Fundraising Specialist | Nonprofit | Digital Marketing
More Resources
Frequently
Asked Questions
Building a relationship with the funder is crucial. A cold application has a lower chance of success, especially with private foundations and corporations. Establishing a connection through email or an introduction can significantly improve your chances of being awarded a grant.
Yes, in addition to government agencies, many corporations, private foundations, and family foundations offer grants. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs from companies like Walmart and CVS are great options. You can also explore private foundations or even individual donors.
Start by organizing a kickoff meeting with your team to discuss grant details and responsibilities. Create an award memo summarizing the grant, and establish a reporting and implementation calendar to ensure you stay compliant and meet deadlines.
Falling out of compliance can jeopardize future funding, both from the current funder and others, as they often communicate within their network. Over-communicate with your funder if you encounter issues, and be transparent about any challenges you face to avoid losing support.
Hire a grant admin as soon as your organization can financially sustain the role. It’s possible to write the position into future grant applications, but make sure you have systems and best practices in place to support the admin before they start.
While grant writing and grant management require different skills, some individuals can do both. However, it’s important not to assume that one person can handle both roles effectively, especially as your organization grows.
Leverage data and storytelling to highlight your successes. Submit comprehensive reports to your funders and follow up with them personally. Maintaining a strong relationship with funders and sharing positive outcomes will help you secure future funding.
No, you don’t need to invest in expensive systems right away. Simple tools like Excel and Word can help you manage grants efficiently. Start with basic systems, and scale up as your organization grows and your grant management needs become more complex.