Building strong relationships is critical in both personal and professional settings. Whether fostering connections with loved ones or nurturing professional partnerships, the principles of engagement remain similar.
Personal Connections
In our personal lives, we stay connected by maintaining open lines of communication with friends, family, and loved ones. We show we care by sharing life updates, spending quality time together, and offering support when needed. These efforts strengthen bonds and build trust. Networking support is paramount.
Professional Relationships in Grant Writing
When it comes to professional relationships—particularly in grant writing—the same principles apply. At Think and Ink Grant Consulting, we emphasize the importance of stewardship. Stewardship in grant writing means maintaining an ongoing connection with funders, updating them on your organization’s progress, and demonstrating your impact long before submitting a grant proposal.
This continuous relationship management helps secure long-term support from current funders and builds a foundation for successful collaboration. Additionally, when establishing new funder relationships, we call this relationship cultivation, a strategic process distinct from stewardship but equally vital in grant writing.
The Challenges of Stewardship
Many nonprofits struggle with stewardship, often due to the demands of daily operations. However, neglecting stewardship can hurt future funding opportunities. Consider these two contrasting scenarios:
Scenario 1: Lack of Stewardship
You: “Hi Funder, can you give us $100,000?”
Funder: “We’re interested, but we don’t know much about your organization. Can you share more details?”
You: “Sorry for not keeping you updated. I’ll explain everything in our proposal.”
This approach misses the opportunity to build trust and rapport, making the request less compelling.
Scenario 2: Effective Stewardship
You: “Hi Funder, thank you for attending our last fundraiser and reviewing our Annual Report. We’re grateful for your feedback on our upcoming programming. Your insights are invaluable.”
Funder: “It’s great to stay updated through quarterly meetings and events. We’re impressed with your impact and look forward to reviewing your next proposal.”
This proactive engagement creates a collaborative partnership, making funders more inclined to support your work.
Why Stewardship Matters in Grant Writing
Some organizations believe that submitting reports fulfills their obligation to funders. While timely reports are essential, ongoing communication is just as crucial. Regular updates allow funders to feel connected to your mission and reinforce their trust in your organization.
Focusing on stewardship can also help you secure additional funding from existing supporters. It is often more efficient to strengthen relationships with current funders than to invest resources in acquiring new ones.
The Bottom Line
In grant writing, building and maintaining relationships with funders is not just an optional effort—it’s a strategic necessity. Stewardship and relationship cultivation ensure that your organization is well-positioned to achieve its funding goals while demonstrating the impact of your work.
— Shavonn
Need help? Schedule a complimentary consultation today: www.thinkandinkgrants.com.
About Shavonn V. Richardson, MBA, GPC
Shavonn is the Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. As a former nonprofit leader and grantmaker, Shavonn has over 20 years of experience delivering practical, real-world advice to nonprofit leaders nationwide. Shavonn earned the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020 and is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. Shavonn also serves as President of the Grant Professionals Association.
Think and Ink Grant Consulting®
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