TargetED Series: Shifting Perspectives to Enhance Your Grant Competitiveness - RECORDINGS

Webinars recorded between 04.14.25 & 06.30.25

Series Overview:

The funding landscape is changing rapidly, requiring nonprofits to innovate and adapt to remain competitive. Funders are shifting their priorities, expecting organizations to go beyond traditional grantwriting approaches and demonstrate long-term impact, sustainability, and strategic alignment.

To succeed in this ever-evolving environment, you must rethink your strategies and adopt new perspectives that resonate with today’s funders.

In this six-part TargetED series, you’ll gain the insights and practical tools needed to strengthen your grant proposals and position your organization for funding success. Each session will help you embrace a key strategic shift, allowing you to navigate the modern funding landscape with confidence.

Throughout the series, you’ll learn how to:

• align your proposals with emerging funding trends and strategic priorities;
• communicate economic impact effectively to strengthen your case for support;
• craft strength-based narratives that highlight resilience and community assets;
• design innovative, scalable programs that demonstrate long-term sustainability;
• develop strategic accountability frameworks to showcase measurable impact; and,
• use compelling storytelling to create memorable and persuasive grant applications.

Each TargetED session is 45 minutes long and begins at 2 PM ET.

Session Descriptions:

Shifting From Traditional Giving to Strategic Investment (Recording will be shared after purchase)
The current federal grant landscape is marked by confusion and shifts in funding priorities, with many organizations reevaluating their strategies. A likely result is increased competition for private and corporate funding. During this session, Alice Ruhnke will explore key trends in funding along with strategies to align your proposals with evolving priorities, including economic value, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Shifting the Focus of Your Grants From Social to Economic Impact (Recording will be shared after purchase)
As funders increasingly prioritize economic value, nonprofits must demonstrate how their initiatives stimulate local economies, reduce public costs, or contribute to workforce development. Learn how to quantify and communicate your program’s economic impact, making your case compelling to funders seeking social investments with tangible returns.

Shifting From Deficit-Based to Strength-Based Grant Narratives (Recording will be shared after purchase)
Funders are moving away from deficit-focused narratives and toward initiatives that celebrate community strengths and capacities. This session will teach you how to craft proposals that highlight resilience, empowerment, and assets, resonating with funders interested in sustainable, community-led change.

Shifting From Static Program Models to Scalable Innovations (Recording will be shared after purchase)
Innovation and scalability are now key requirements for competitive grant proposals. This session will focus on designing programs that are adaptable, scalable, and replicable—demonstrating potential for broad impact and long-term sustainability.

Shifting From Basic Grant Reporting to Strategic Accountability
Accountability and transparency are more critical than ever in building trust with funders. Learn how to develop advanced reporting frameworks that go beyond basic metrics, showcasing clear and transparent outcome measurements that demonstrate accountability, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Shifting From Data-Driven Proposals to Compelling Grant Narratives
In a crowded field of applications, storytelling remains a powerful tool to connect with funders on both an emotional and intellectual level. Learn to balance data-driven evidence with compelling narratives that resonate with reviewers and effectively communicate the impact of your programs.

Who should attend:

TargetEDs are designed with beginners in mind. This series is ideal for nonprofit leaders, grantwriters, development staff, and program managers looking to refine their grant strategies and stay ahead of shifting funding trends.

After each webinar, you’ll receive:

• slides and handouts; and,
• a link to the webinar recording.