Spring offers a natural opportunity to step back, reassess, and strengthen the systems that support our work. With that in mind, this month we're revisiting a piece from our colleague Mary Pat O'Gorman that focuses on "spring cleaning" your grant writing approach. It's a practical reminder that a little organization now can save significant time later, and position you to respond quickly when opportunities arise.
Nonprofit Spring Cleaning
By Mary Pat O'Gorman
Warm weather, spring sunshine and the return of songbirds gives us all a little extra energy to take on tasks that we may have put off though the winter, i.e., Spring Cleaning!
As nonprofit professionals, we could approach spring cleaning from any number of angles and this month we would like to talk about a few things you can do to clean up your grant writing process, to save time and make your grant proposals more accurate, compelling and attractive. When a grant opportunity arises, do you find yourself spending hours looking for essential documents, up-to-date data and supplemental material?
Whether you write your own grant applications or use a contract grant writer, the easiest place to start is your storage system, setting up an organized filing system with all the items you need for grant applications. As a grant writer, when I think about what would make my job more efficient, my wish list would include a folder with the following:
1. Current strategic plan 2. Most Recent Annual Report 3. Two years of financial audits or 990s 4. IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter 5. Current organization budget 6. Current List of Board of Directors, with affiliations 7. Recent press/media coverage 8. Articles and current research that helps articulate the challenge addressed by your organization 9. Recent Letters of Support or testimonials 10. Recent photos of your program in action
I work with an organization that keeps a spreadsheet with vital data points that can be used in grant proposals, such as the number and demographic breakdown of staff, board members and program participants; recent accomplishments for the organization overall and a breakdown for each program. They update the spreadsheet at least annually, and continuously where needed. This is an incredible time-saver as I start a new application. The above are just suggestions, but this folder could contain something different for each organization. Take some time this spring to think about what is most essential to communicate about your organization and where you could find it. If you don’t have formal letters of support or testimonials, maybe you have comments from one of your social media pages that could make your program come to life for a reader.
It is about organization and communication. You likely have everything you need to write a fantastic grant application to generate support for your organization. Over the next few weeks, take some time to find the items listed above, save them to one folder and keep them updated throughout the year. There are a lot of demands on your time in the nonprofit world and the ability to respond to opportunities quickly, with high quality data and compelling images, may be the difference that gets you the grant.
Mary Pat O'Gorman, MS, is a consultant specializing in grant writing and fundraising at The Rome Group
Corporate Purpose: Driving Business Value
In a period marked by rapid social, geopolitical, cultural, and economic shifts, the role of corporate purpose has never been more critical. Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) delves into the long-term return on corporate purpose through their newly released report.
Rethinking Giving: The Rise of Regenerative Philanthropy
For decades, philanthropy has been framed as a way to solve problems, a mechanism for directing resources toward the most urgent needs. But a growing movement is challenging that paradigm, arguing that traditional giving often reinforces the very systems that create inequity in the first place. Enter regenerative philanthropy, a mindset shift that's gaining momentum among funders, nonprofits, and community leaders who want to do more than sustain the status quo.
MO Nonprofit & Philanthropy Research Project Survey
The Missouri Nonprofit & Philanthropy Research Project is a statewide effort led by the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) St. Louis Regional Chapter to better understand nonprofit funding and philanthropy across Missouri.
There is currently no shared, statewide source of information that combines philanthropic giving data with perspectives from nonprofit organizations, funders, and grant professionals. This project is intended to help fill that gap. The findings will support more informed conversations, identify areas of opportunity, and provide data that can be used by organizations, funders, and sector leaders across Missouri. Access the survey here.
Fundraising Is Not Failing, Expectations Are: Misconceptions About Revenue Growth
Revenue concerns are common in the nonprofit sector. Boards seek growth, CEOs face pressure to diversify funding, and chief development officers are hired with ambitious targets and tight deadlines.
However, revenue challenges often stem not from poor fundraising tactics, but from unrealistic expectations about how fundraising works. Misalignments between expectations, structure, and investment often determine success. Here are five common expectation gaps that can undermine chief development officer success and ways organizations can address them.
The Regional Business Council It's Our Region Fund grant application is now open to nonprofits in the 16-county St. Louis Region. This grant helps fund small but essential capital improvement projects that enable nonprofits to serve their communities safely and effectively. Projects may include facility updates, structural improvements, or equipment purchases. The application deadline is July 17, 2026.
Incarnate Word Foundation: Annunciation Grant Cycle
Formerly named the "General Grant Cycle," our annual Annunciation Grants support vital work in the St. Louis region that reflects the Foundation's core values: love, compassion, equity, inclusion, respect, dignity, and joy. Applications open April 23, 2026.
Incarnate Word Foundation: CPPS Catholic Education Grants
Made possible by the CPPS Legacy Fund, these grants support and honor the sacred work taking place in Catholic Schools. Funds support students and teachers in our region. Learn more about open and invitation-only opportunities here.
Missouri Arts Council FY2027 Express Grant
The Missouri Arts Council (MAC) is now accepting applications for FY2027 Express Grants. These grants feature a simpler application and rolling deadlines to fund arts projects, educational initiatives, and community touring taking place between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. The Express Project grants are designed for smaller, flexible projects with a $4,000 maximum request amount and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are due on the first Monday of each month and must be submitted two months in advance of when the project will incur expenses (i.e. a July 2026 project application is due on May 4, 2026).
Click here to review the guidelines on MAC's website and apply.
Charles Schwab Foundation Offers $2M in Financial Education Grants
Charles Schwab Foundation announced the launch of a new annual grant program to encourage fresh thinking and innovative solutions to help advance financial literacy. Through the Schwab Moneywise Momentum Grants program, Schwab is committing up to $2 million this year to support nonprofit organizations that are taking new and distinctive approaches to expand access to effective financial education, with a priority on helping more people build the practical, relevant money skills they need to prosper in life.
Missouri Alliance for Arts Education: St. Louis Arts Education Collaborative Networking Event
The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education wishes to promote collaboration and encourages all members of the St. Louis arts education ecosystem to come together at a FREE networking event on June 9, 2026, from 10 AM - 3 PM at the Loretto-Hilton Theater in Webster Groves.
The Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast with Brooke Richie-Babbage
Deep-dive interviews, concrete strategies, and intimate behind-the-scenes insights into how to launch, build & lead a nonprofit that changes the world.
Congratulations to the following individuals who are beginning new roles or celebrating well-earned promostarting new roles in the St. Louis nonprofit community, including both new hires and those recenetly promoted.
Ashwini Kherdekar Arora, Managing Director, Prison Performing Arts
Emily Baumann, Communications Manager, Animal Protective Association of Missouri
Amy Bornstein, Chief Development Officer, Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Greg Dietrich, Partner, Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Sarah Jacobs, Senior Director, Greater St Louis, Inc.
Lucinda Perry Jones, Director of Partnerships & Organizational Development, Marillac Mission Fund
Steve Martak, Senior Director of Talent Solutions, Per Scholas
Lakesha Mathis, Partner, Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Kirby Meyer, Chief Experience Officer, St. Louis Zoo
Toni Muhammad, CEO, The Core Collective at St. Vincent
Stephanie O'Donnell, Senior Director of Revenue, Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Lisa Pathenos, Medical Administrative Assistant, IFM
Lear Rose, Development Associate, Frank Lloyd Wright House
Samantha Stangl, Director of Systems Change, United Way of Greater St. Louis
Do you have news about a job opening, new hire, promotion, or other happenings? If so, send us your news and we’ll consider including it in our next issue of Insights.
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