GrantTalk
GrantTalk: Listen to Grant Success Stories and Grant Funders
GrantTalk explores the positive impact grants have on people, communities, and programs. We talk to nonprofit leaders, business executives, and development directors who have navigated the grant application process, sharing their challenges and triumphs. Our podcast also features conversations with a variety of funding sources (grantmakers), offering insights into what they look for in successful grant applications. Join us on GrantTalk to hear inspiring stories and gain valuable tips for making a difference through grants.
Episodes

Aug 6, 2024
Aug 6, 2024
16 min
Welcome to GrantTalk! In this episode, host Libby Hikind, Founder and CEO of GrantWatch 🌟 and author of The Queen of Grants, is joined by Daniel McNeal, Director of Quality of Life Grants at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. 🦸♂️
Episode Highlights:
Inside the World of Grants 🏆
Libby and Daniel explore the grant application process and the foundation's impactful mission to support those living with paralysis. Discover how the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, established in 1982 in honor of the iconic actor, is transforming lives through both groundbreaking research and immediate aid. 🌟
Grant Evaluation Process 🔍
Explore how the foundation’s rigorous evaluation process ensures that only the most innovative and impactful projects receive support. From initial assessments to expert reviews, learn about their commitment to transparency and fairness.
Spotlight on Quality of Life Grants ⛵
Join us as we discuss how Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) in Annapolis, MD, received a grant to provide specialized sailing equipment. This initiative promotes independence and offers unique recreational opportunities for individuals with paralysis.
Tips for a Stellar Grant Application 📑
Daniel shares his top tips for crafting an outstanding grant application. Understand why following guidelines and meticulous preparation are essential for success in the grant process.
Discover the Impact 💬
Get inspired by the foundation’s heroic work and learn how strategic preparation and dedication to your cause can elevate your grant-seeking efforts to new heights.
Thank you for tuning in! Keep your cape on for more expert advice and inspiring stories in our next episode. 🌟
"Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!" — Jay Morton, Adventures of Superman radio show
Connect with Us:
Website: GrantWatch 🌐
Email: info@grantwatch.com ✉️
Subscribe to GrantTalk for more insights and expert discussions on YouTube, Apple, iHeart, and Spotify 🎧. Hit the subscribe button and never miss an episode! 📲🔔

Jul 30, 2024
Jul 30, 2024
21 min
Welcome to GrantTalk. In our first Business to Business (B2B) segment, Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch.com 🏆 and author of "The Queen of Grants," introduces Elliot Rosenfeld, the founder and CEO of Net Is Up 🌐, a company specializing in IT infrastructure, networking, and cybersecurity. visit: www.netisup.com visit: www.grantwatch.com Discussion Highlights: Introduction to Cybersecurity 🔒 Elliot Rosenfeld explains cybersecurity as a combination of technologies protecting networks and digital information, covering mobile devices, desktops, laptops, cloud applications, and network infrastructure. Understanding Phishing 🎣 Detailed insights into phishing, including how attackers use emails to exfiltrate passwords or impersonate users to gain financial benefits. Elliot shares real-world examples and best practices to identify and prevent phishing attacks. Importance of End-User Training 📚 Emphasizes the significance of training employees to recognize and avoid cyber threats. Elliot highlights that effective training involves continuous monitoring and testing through fake phishing emails to ensure vigilance. Cybersecurity Best Practices 🛡️ Advice on minimal screen assessments and email verification techniques. Elliot recommends always verifying email addresses and being cautious with suspicious requests. Secure Links and Email Protection 🔗 Explanation of HTTPS and how Net Is Up provides clients with email security services that replace suspicious links with protected ones, ensuring safer email communications. Investment in Cybersecurity 💰 Discusses the financial impact of cyber-attacks versus the cost of proper security measures. Elliot stresses the importance of investing in high-value cybersecurity services to protect company resources and operations. Cyber Insurance 🛡️ Overview of cyber insurance policies, including what they cover and the due diligence required by companies to qualify for coverage. Recent High-Profile Cyber Attacks 🚨 Examples of recent attacks on large organizations, highlighting the vulnerabilities and lessons learned. Comprehensive Cyber Protection 🏰 Importance of a 360-degree approach to network security, ensuring no cracks or openings for intruders. Importance of Software Updates 🔄 Reminders to regularly update software to prevent vulnerabilities. Final Tips and Contact Information 📞 Encouragement to invest wisely in cybersecurity and maintain regular engagement with security providers. Elliot's contact details and company website information for further assistance. Connect with Us: • Website: Net Is Up 🌐 • Email: erosenfeld@netisup.com ✉️ • Subscribe to GrantTalk podcast for more insightful discussions on YouTube, Apple, iHeart, and Spotify 🎧. Stay Safe Online: Be vigilant, report suspicious emails, and maintain updated security measures to protect your digital environment. Thank you for joining us on GrantTalk, and let's stay safe online together! 🛡️🖥️ Subscribe Now: Hit the subscribe button and never miss an episode of GrantTalk for more expert advice on grants, cybersecurity, and business insights. 📲🔔

Jul 23, 2024

Jul 16, 2024
Jul 16, 2024
17 min
In Episode 15 of GrantTalk, host Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch, connects two kindred spirits from Arts Services Inc. of Western New York! 🌟 Jen Swan-Kilpatrick, the director, and Holly Grant, the grants manager, discuss their organization's mission and their critical work in supporting the arts community through grant funding. 🎨✨ With a combined 40 years of experience in the nonprofit arts sector, Jen and Holly provide invaluable insights into the grant application process, their organization's impact, and the importance of accessible funding for small and micro nonprofits and individual artists. 🎭💡 About Arts Services Inc. of Western New York Mission and History: Founded 12 years ago to fill a gap in arts services in Western New York, they provide grants and support to the local arts community, covering multiple counties. Programs and Services: They offer various grants, including capacity building, afterschool programs, and support for individual artists and small nonprofits. They emphasize accessibility and support for applicants, providing training and draft reviews to help applicants succeed. Grant Application Process Review and Approval: Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by staff, then evaluated by a peer review panel of artists and arts administrators. Final recommendations are approved by the board of directors. Common Mistakes: Applicants sometimes fail to read eligibility guidelines or make simple errors in their submissions. The organization encourages applicants to take advantage of information sessions and draft reviews to avoid these mistakes. Tips for Success: Applicants should have a well-formulated idea before applying and ensure their budget and narrative align. Demonstrating the need and potential impact of the grant is important. Impact and Notable Projects Small Grants with Big Impact: Many of their grants are relatively small but can significantly boost the capacity and effectiveness of the recipients. Examples include providing a laptop for a small nonprofit supporting African-American veterans. Diverse Art Forms: They fund a wide range of arts and cultural activities, from public art programs to music recording projects and field trips for students. Partnership with GrantWatch Promotion and Visibility: GrantWatch helps promote Arts Services Inc.'s grants, attracting new applicants and helping them find additional funding opportunities. Mutual Benefits: The partnership enhances the visibility and accessibility of grants for small nonprofits and individual artists in the community. It’s a Wrap Accessible funding for the arts is so important! Partnering with GrantWatch, Arts Services Inc. continues to empower small nonprofits and individual artists, ensuring every community they touch is a thriving and diverse cultural canvas. Tune in to GrantTalk for more inspiring stories and insights into the world of grants. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the GrantWatch channel for updates on future episodes. You can also listen to the podcast on iHeartRadio. 🎧💖 #GrantTalk #GrantWatch #ArtsServices #NonprofitArts #GrantFunding

Jul 16, 2024
Jul 16, 2024
17 min
It’s time for another episode of Grant Talk with your host, Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch! Today, we have an inspiring story from Bobbi Donovan, a retired teacher who founded the Sunshine Family Outreach Center in California. 🌞📖 After retiring in 2020, Bobbi dedicated her time to promoting literacy among children in underserved communities. 🚐 The Sunshine Family Bookmobile serves over 300 children, many of whom are newly arrived immigrants. With the nearest library miles away, this mobile library brings books and a love for reading directly to the kids! 🌍📚 Bobbi's journey from teacher to nonprofit leader has been fueled by passion and a little help from GrantWatch! 🌟 Through the platform, she secured $90,000 in grants, starting with a significant donation from the Lisa Libraries in New York. 🏆 🔍 Learn how Bobbi uses AI to enhance her grant writing, while maintaining her unique touch and passion. Plus, learn about the exciting future plans for the Sunshine Family Outreach Center, including a potential tutoring center and more bookmobiles! 🏫🎨 💖 The center's success is a testament to the power of community support and volunteerism. To learn more or make a donation, visit their website: Sunshine Family Outreach Center 🌐 📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories and grant insights! 👍🗨️🔔 #GrantTalk #SunshineFamilyOutreach #LibbyHikind #GrantWatch #Bookmobile #Literacy #Nonprofit #Inspiration #Volunteerism #AI #Reading #FutureLeaders #MakeADifference

Jul 16, 2024
Jul 16, 2024
11 min
Welcome to the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch! 🎙️✨ In this episode, we find Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch and author of "The Queen of Grants," sitting down with Sarah Roberts, Executive Director of the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Center. ❤️ 🎤 Sarah shares her organization’s mission to ensure that all women in New Jersey have access to breast health care, including treatment, screenings, follow-up care, and support through fundraising efforts and partnerships. Enjoy Sarah’s narrative of the center’s history. Over the last 20 years, the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Center has made a huge impact by expanding access to critical breast health services across New Jersey. They have established two dedicated centers, one at St. Michael’s and the other at Trinitas Regional Medical Center. In addition, they’ve launched a mobile mammography unit in collaboration with the University Hospital in Newark. These initiatives aim to reach underserved communities and provide essential care to those in need. 🌍💗 Flipping the script, the conversation also touches on the importance of building solid relationships with fundees and what Sarah’s grant review committee looks for in a good grant application. ✍️🤝 Honestly, this episode has it all! So, stay tuned as Sarah and Libby discuss the center's journey, impact stories, and the importance of using the GrantWatch database for essential funding. 🌟📊 🎧 Tune in now! 🎧 🗝️ Key Insights: • Building Fundee Relationships • Effective Grant Applications • Utilizing GrantWatch for Funding 🌟💪 Notable Mentions: • Connections for Women and Families) • Pathways Program | Pathways Cooks • Crossroads4Hope • Sister to Sister #GrantTalk #GrantWatch #ConnieDwyerBreastCancerCenter #BreastHealthCare #CommunityImpact #NonProfitSuccess #TheQueenofGrants

Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
18 min
StreeHeat Ministries is Transforming Lives & Communities! 🌟 Welcome to the latest episode of the #GrantTalk Podcast, powered by GrantWatch! 🎙️✨ In this episode, we're exploring the incredible impact StreeHeat Ministries is making for K1-12 kids, the homeless, and families in need. And it's all thanks to their newfound ability to research and apply for grants on GrantWatch! 🌍❤️ Join your host Libby Hikind, the founder and CEO of GrantWatch and author of "The Queen of Grants," as she interviews @georgevaughn8763 from StreeHeat-Ministries, Inc. 🎤📚 George's inspiring story of perseverance and success in the world of grant writing is a testament to the power of dedication and the right resources. 🌟💪 When George and StreeHeat Ministries, Inc, decided to join @Grantwatch, it marked a significant turning point for StreeHeat-Ministries, Inc. With access to extensive resources, including foundation contacts, application processes, and 990 reports, George and his team learned to create grant applications that were pivotal to the success of their mission. Don't miss this episode filled with hope, inspiration, and practical tips for making a difference in your community! 🏘️✨ 🎧 Tune in now! 🎧 🗝️Key Insights: Reapplication Strategy Organizational Tips Maximizing Resources 💵Key Funders: @SmartFinal1 @CityofSedonaAZ #ChicagoBoardofTrade @4imprint @MySmithsGrocery #GrantTalk #GrantWatch #StreeHeatMinistries #CommunityImpact #Grants #NonProfitSuccess #TransformLives #Podcast #thequeenofgrants

Jun 11, 2024
Jun 11, 2024
19 min
Grant Writing Tips: Be "grant ready" by organizing documents, having a budget, goals, and staff information readily available. Follow the scoring criteria and ensure all materials are comprehensive and well-organized. Utilize technical assistance and attend workshops offered by funders. Community Involvement: Building trust and relationships with community members is crucial. Engage the community through activities like focus groups and local events to gather input and address needs. Consider equity and challenges in different neighborhoods when designing projects.

May 24, 2024
May 24, 2024
10 min
In this episode of Grant Talk 🎙️, we sit down with Wayne Jackson, Executive Director of Mercy Medical Free Clinics, to explore their incredible journey in securing essential funding through GrantWatch. Wayne shares how this powerful tool has helped them find and win crucial grants, transforming their ability to provide free medical, dental, and medication support to underserved communities in South Carolina.
Key Takeaways
🔎 Effective Grant Research: Discover how to efficiently navigate GrantWatch to find the most relevant and impactful grants for your nonprofit.
🤝 Building Relationships: Learn the importance of forming and nurturing relationships with local organizations, churches, and businesses to enhance your funding opportunities.
📈 Maximizing Grant Opportunities: Get practical tips on applying for and securing various grants to support your nonprofit’s diverse needs.Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies that can elevate your grant writing and funding efforts to new heights. Whether you’re new to the nonprofit sector or a seasoned grant writer, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed.
Keywords: Grant writing, nonprofit funding, Mercy Medical Free Clinics, GrantWatch, community healthcare, building relationships, securing grants, nonprofit strategies.

May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024
5 min
In this podcast episode, renowned grant expert Libby Hikind sits down with a recent grant recipient, Kell Chole, to delve into the world of funding opportunities for children in music. 🎵 Libby Hikind, founder of GrantWatch.com, brings her expertise and years of experience in grant research and application to the table. Together with grant winner Kell Chole of the Institute of Traditional Irish Music, they explore the strategies, tips, and resources available for nonprofits interested in pursuing music education and enrichment for the children that they serve. Nonprofits that aim to enrich schools and childrens' programs with music will love the grant application advice in this video, and GrantWatch.com where they can apply for the amazing grants mentioned in the video. START YOUR GRANT SEARCH TODAY! Website https://www.grantwatch.com






