Empowering Nonprofits Through Grants: Amanda Day’s Vision for Hands-On Grantwriting Education

In the ever-evolving world of nonprofit funding, Amanda Day’s journey from a local government career to becoming a leader in grant training and coaching is an inspiring story of both professional growth and service. Along with her business partner Kimberly Hayes, Amanda co-founded HayDay Services, a company dedicated to providing comprehensive grantwriting education and coaching. What began as a podcast idea for grant professionals soon transformed into a thriving business that aims to equip individuals and organizations with the skills they need to succeed in the world of grants.

In 2018, Amanda and Kimberly noticed a gap in the nonprofit space: there were plenty of fundraising podcasts, but very few that focused specifically on grantwriting. With their backgrounds in grant training, they decided to fill that gap. They launched the Fundraising HayDay Podcast, sharing practical advice, industry insights, and stories from successful grant professionals.

At the time, neither Amanda nor Kimberly knew much about podcasting, but their combined expertise in grantwriting made them confident they could offer valuable content. Their first season was launched all at once, like a Netflix series, and was introduced at the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) conference in November 2018. This bold move set the stage for the continued success of the podcast, which has now grown into its seventh season, with plans for season eight already underway.

Both Amanda and Kimberly soon realized there was a greater need in the field: more focused, hands-on training for grant professionals. By the end of 2022, HayDay Services had officially launched as a grant training and coaching business, offering a range of services to help individuals and organizations strengthen their grantwriting skills.

At HayDay Services, Amanda and Kimberly’s mission is clear: they want to provide grant professionals with the tools they wished they had when they first started. The company’s flagship offering is The Grants Lab, an eight-week online course designed to teach individuals the ins and outs of grantwriting. With two hours of live instruction each week, plus one-on-one coaching and weekly writing assignments, participants gain practical, real-world experience. By the end of the course, students have a draft proposal they can use as a foundation for future applications.

Amanda’s approach to grantwriting education is unique. While many training programs focus on theory or general advice, The Grants Lab incorporates an interactive, hands-on approach. Students not only learn how to write grant proposals but also get immediate feedback on their work. This allows them to refine their skills in real-time, rather than simply collecting notes they may never implement. 

"We teach, we give you an assignment, and you get feedback," Amanda says. "It’s about learning by doing."

The program is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of individuals and organizations. For example, HayDay Services also offers custom training tailored to specific sectors, such as local governments, hospitals, food banks, and faith-based organizations. Amanda and Kimberly’s extensive experience in various sectors, including public safety, human services, and infrastructure, enables them to provide specialized advice and guidance for each unique field.

As business owners, Amanda and Kimberly have faced their share of challenges. Both of them are experts in grantwriting, but transitioning to entrepreneurship required them to learn new skills in areas like marketing, budgeting, and business strategy. 

"The hardest part of running HayDay Services is being a business owner," Amanda says. "Learning what to spend money on and how to market ourselves has been a challenge. But we’re getting better at it."

Despite these challenges, the rewards of their work are deeply fulfilling. The most rewarding part, according to Amanda, is hearing from people who have benefited from their training. For Amanda, making a tangible difference in people’s careers and in the missions of the organizations they work for is what keeps her motivated.

“When someone tells me that our course helped them get a grant or that they were able to have a productive conversation with their boss about how grants work, it’s incredibly rewarding,” Amanda says. 

One of the unique features of HayDay Services is its emphasis on team-based learning. Unlike many training programs that charge per individual participant, The Grants Lab allows organizations to send up to five team members for one set price. Amanda and Kimberly are firm believers that grantwriting is a team effort, not a solo sport. The course encourages organizations to send not just their grantwriter, but also people from other departments, such as finance, programs, and even the board of directors. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of grantwriting are well understood across the organization, which ultimately leads to more successful funding applications.

By providing a comprehensive, interactive, and team-oriented training experience, HayDay Services is setting a new standard in the grantwriting education field. It’s clear that Amanda’s passion for empowering others is at the heart of everything the company does.

Amanda has one final message for aspiring grant professionals: it’s okay not to have it all figured out. 

"Every grant professional you meet will tell you they didn’t plan to be a grant professional. We all kind of fall into it," Amanda says. 

As HayDay Services continues to grow, Amanda remains a dedicated advocate for grant professionals everywhere, helping them navigate the complexities of funding and equipping them with the knowledge they need to make a lasting impact in their communities.