Next week, you all can find me at www.leiaeubanksconsulting.com!

Nick Goebel of Goebel Media Group is in the process of creating a beautiful new website for me at this new domain. The set-up will be very similar to this one, but will incorporate a new graphic header that more closely represents the nonprofit development side of my business… I’ll wait to let you find out what that new image is!

See you on the other side!

Last week I submitted my first proposal on behalf of Digital Bridges here in Milledgeville. I have to admit that I’m a tad nervous about this one – not only is it the first proposal I’ve written for this particular organization, it’s the first one I’ve written for an organization in my hometown. Needless to say, the pressure’s on!

I am asked often about my rate structure and if grant writers like me will consider making payment of professional fees contingent upon receipt of the grant. While some grant writers offer services under this type of agreement, my professional organization, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, does not allow its members to accept such contracts. Grant Writing is an odd business in that no matter how much work the writer pours into a proposal, the grantmaker may decide not to fund a project, or only fund a portion of the amount requested. Hence, the reputation of the grant writer – his or her “track record” – could be negatively impacted, even though the proposal may have been stellar.

 It is important for clients of grant writers to understand the factors that go into grantmaking and the unique needs of each institution to which they are applying. This appropriately lessens the unfair burden on a grant writer for matters beyond his/her control and will assist the organization in its assessment of a particular grant writer’s value.

 Webinars on the grantmaking process and institutional giving can be found at foundationcenter.org.

 I’m uber excited today, because yesterday I agreed to plan the national alumni reunions for America’s Junior Miss in Chicago, California, New York, and Atlanta! This organization is special to me; I’ve been involved on a local level for seven years now, and to be able to add event planning with AJM on a national level to my portfolio is a dream-come-true.

 Check out the AJM website at www.ajm.org.