What We Do

We help nonprofits realize their vision and mission by helping them secure the funding that will make these a reality.

A “Grant Readiness Checkup” identifies challenges nonprofits face in the funding process. Depending on the results we can (a) seek and secure grant funding or (b) identify issues and help set up a program that will get them to this goal. Some issues that may surface are the need for board training, review and remediation in development and communication strategies, or simply setting up a 501(c)3.

Unlike most consultants, we do enjoy the challenge of aiding new nonprofits with unique strategies that will set them up for success in today’s funding climate.

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Services

Grant Writing

Clarify the goals and objectives of a nonprofit so as to identify appropriate funding sources. The mission and vision of both the nonprofit and prospective funder must be congruent in order to avoid “mission drift.” Compose a grant narrative with a compelling need statement, clear goals and objectives, work timetable, and logic model. Ideally, all must be ready at least one week before the funder’s submission deadline.

Grant Readiness Check-up

Take the nonprofit through a checklist of items and processes that must be complete in order to seek and secure grant funding. This checklist will include making certain of the nonprofit’s 501(c)3 status and locating the federal ein letter, a review of integral operations (board, fiduciary, communications, development/fundraising). Identify points of weakness and set up a program to remedy trouble spots.

Communications/Public Relations

Review the nonprofit’s current plan and offer suggestions where necessary. Devise strategies to update internal/external communications. Internal strategies may include an employee newsletter, “ghost write” communications from senior management and the board to address internal morale issues, set up a system of employee suggestion, and more as necessary. External communications include surveys of donors and devising appropriate mechanisms to address issues (revising development strategies, creating newsletters or email strategies to keep donors informed and active, brainstorming methods to attract new donors). External communications also includes public relations and the need to reach out to local media as well as the community. Funders will often request articles and reviews of the nonprofit by local newspapers and online sources. Social media strategies must be reviewed or implemented as necessary.

Development/Fundraising

Prospective funders will request an overview of a nonprofit’s strategies to attract and keep donors, development strategies (events, planned giving, employer donation programs, etc.) Is the board involved in fundraising and does it have a mandatory donation policy? Nowadays funders expect a board to be 100% invested. It is a huge red flag if this is not the case. I will review the overall development plan for issues that are known red flags. I can also help devise materials to promote the nonprofit to prospective donors (brochures, annual report, emails/letters, more as appropriate).

Fiduciary

Will work with accounting/financial services to put together a package of documents that are normally requested by funders These will include budgets, year-end reporting, and donor data. Analyze documents from a funder’s perspective and suggest modifications/additions as necessary.

Board Training

Funders are extremely interested in the efficacy of a nonprofit board and now require much more than a simple board roster. Board members must be involved on a regular basis – with ob descriptions! – and the scope of the individual board member’s donation is closely scrutinized. Fundraising and grant writing are now vital roles for the board members. I offer a module that will bring a board uo to date on current policies and procedures.

Grant Management

Post award grant management includes tracking of expenditures and submitting regular reporting as required by the funder.

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Working with You

Free 15-Minute Assessment

Clients select calendar appointment for an initial zoom call to assess how a strategy session may benefit them. They will be sent the “Are You Grant Ready?” questionnaire.

30-minute strategy session ($50)

In-depth interview about a nonprofit’s grant readiness and general processes. A thorough review of the “Are You Grant Ready” questionnaire is used to lay out a plan of action that will be used to submit a formal proposal to the client regarding fees and scope of work. No fees are quoted until the strategy session is completed and formal proposal submitted.

Proposal, Contract and Scope of Work

Formal contract detailing work to be completed for the client complete with steps to be taken, fees, schedule/deadlines, and terms of abrogation. One set of revisions will be included with the contract; additional revisions are on an hourly fee basis. A total rewrite is considered a new grant narrative.

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Scope of Work

  • Starting from scratch

    Helping a new or established client get grant ready according to the results of the “Are You Grant Ready?” questionnaire. This may include everything from obtaining a 501(c)3 to board training to developing a viable goals/objectives statement.

  • Grant Research

    A set $100 fee to access premier Instrumentl database.

  • Grant Writing

    To be done either on an hourly fee basis or by project according to the contract signed by the client. The nonprofit will be required to fill out a project questionnaire detailing the work involved: need statement, goals and objectives, outcomes expected (short- and long-term), overall impact of the project, assessment methods to be used (qualitative and quantitative). The client will be required to make the initial contact with foundations and program managers, as well as hit the final “submission” button. Items to be gathered from the client include: board documents, financial documents, media releases regarding the client, videos/pictures, annual report, past grant submissions, and community information.

  • Grant Management

    All tracking and reporting is a separate contract with a new fee schedule attached.

  • Back to the Board

    Personalized board training module offered to nonprofits that includes topics expected of a healthy board. This may be done via Zoom or in person. In-person fees will include travel costs. A preassessment will be given that will include questions regarding general strengths and weaknesses of both the board as well as individual board members. This preassessment will determine the nature and scope of the training module.

  • Media Relations

    A full media plan is made available to the nonprofit. Individual press releases can also be done on an hourly fee schedule. A social media management plan is also available.

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About

Mary Spencer is a funding professional dedicated to the procurement of grant funds for nonprofits, schools, and faith-based institutions. Currently sole proprietor of Spencer Communications, she provides consulting and writing services to organizations challenged by the current funding climate. Mary brings to this task not only grant writing experience, but marketing and creative abilities honed in the for-profit sector. Under Spencer Communications, she has obtained funding for an anti-sex trafficking organization, local senior center, and national Catholic shrine, She also is working to obtain funding for a for-profit venture specializing in corporate training.

Mary has secured major funding totaling $6M for the Diocese of Lexington (KY), a mission diocese serving 52 Appalachian counties. Grants covered direct need for numerous mission outposts, as well as the spiritual needs of the various parishes. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops awarded amounts from $400K to $2M. Mary was also tasked with the management of all grant funds for the Diocese of Lexington.

Mary served as diocesan director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and secured and foresaw funding for community development and social justice projects. She also served on the CCHD National Funding Committee, reviewing grant applications national in scope. After leaving the diocese, Mary continued as regional representative of the Appalachian area at CCHD.

Mary also developed relationships with key foundations to maximize funding efforts. She was able to “rescue” foundations lost by poor management of previous grants and went so far as to convince one such funder to contribute the necessary funding to spearhead the development of Point of Hope. Point of Hope was a “community” of housing units clustered to form a neighborhood for individuals recovering from the recidivism inherent to many cases of homelessness.

Mary Spencer also worked as grants specialist at Kansas City Schools (MO) and secured grant funding from $2K to $325K. She also served as team member working on Federal grants totaling up to $2M. Kansas City Schools was a troubled school district that needed to repair a damaged reputation with key funders, and Mary was successful at this task, and was able to secure major grant funding despite these challenges. Mary also served as grant reviewer for Sprint.

Prior to her grant writing experience, Mary began her writing career as executive catalog copywriter for Sears, Roebuck & Co. She developed marketing and creative plans for all categories of merchandise, from apparel to tools to the farm catalog. After the closing of Sears catalog operations, she was invited to head up a creative team at CMS, Inc., a direct marketing agency. As catalog expert, she worked on the launch of two catalogs for a national office supply firm. After CMS, Mary accepted the position of copy chief for McRae’s Department Stores, a major southern chain operating 27 stores in four states. Mary was responsible for marketing strategy, creative content, and the accuracy of all print materials.

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