Fast Build Friday

We’ve been hearing a lot recently about MacKenzie Scott’s grant making, including to some organizations that were not expecting the millions they received. Do you think your #nonprofit is “ready” to receive $5M or $50M in unrestricted grant funding tomorrow?

Today’s Fast Build Friday topic is substantial grant award considerations. Nic shares two key considerations to help an organization prepare for and effectively use a substantial grant.

Receiving a substantial grant award should not be the end of the story. You need technical assistance alongside substantial, unrestricted funding to help ensure an organization’s effective use of the grant. And you also need to consider the ecosystem in which the organization sits when determining how you will use the grant. These considerations are critical to advancing your vision of the change you want to see in the world.

What would you do with $5M? How would you prepare? Let us know in the comments!

You can watch Episode 36 below.

Raise your hand if you have a Conflict of Interest (COI) policy. Now, are you following that policy?

When you are not closely following your COI Policy, you may be missing out on opportunities to strengthen your work and infrastructure.

Today’s Fast Build Friday is about the importance of having and following a Conflict of Interest Policy. Nic discusses three considerations about these policies that illustrate just how critically important they are to strengthening infrastructure.

Working with #nonprofits and philanthropies around the world, Nic has seen the effect that a strong COI policy can have when implemented throughout the organization. It is an often overlooked way to help strengthen the framework from which you do your best work.

How are you handling conflicts of interest in your organization? Let us know in the comments!

You can watch Episode 33 below.

Have you ever referred to another #nonprofit organization doing similar work as a “competitor”? Do you think that because an organization is doing work in the same space as you, you are automatically competing for funding?

Today’s Fast Build Friday is about the connection between a unique value proposition and infrastructure. In it, Nic highlights how you can identify your unique value proposition and also explain the clear link between a unique value proposition and infrastructure.

When you do not know your unique value proposition, you tend to see nearly anyone doing similar work as competitors. It also has serious implications for your programmatic strategy and infrastructure. When you understand and share your unique value proposition, however, it strengthens both your work and your infrastructure, which ultimately makes your organization more resilient and sustainable.

Do you spend time thinking about how you uniquely problem solve alongside the communities you serve? What is your unique value proposition? Let us know in the comments!

You can watch Episode 32 below.