Brigid Vance

In reflecting on the year that just closed, I was expecting to share a lot of thoughts on the current fundraising landscape, how politics and the shifting economy have changed the game, and even some about AI’s influence. Instead, I realized that the lessons on my mind were about something else. For me, 2025 was the year I shone a light on bad internal culture.

If you are reading this post, it’s likely you have come to a very difficult but honest conclusion: your nonprofit organization is not grant ready. While this realization can feel discouraging, it can also be a turning point. Recognizing unreadiness changes the conversation. It shifts your focus from chasing opportunities to strengthening the systems that make funding possible. Many leaders never pause long enough to assess readiness.

“Grant readiness” sounds like another buzzword in an industry full of jargon, or something invented to sell consulting hours. In reality, readiness is far more significant than that. A grant is a contract with obligations, deadlines, and compliance requirements. It is not free money or easy funding. It is a commitment that affects your entire organization, from operations and finance to program delivery.