👋🏾Need grants? I can help 👉🏾 https://calendly.com/d/dsf-fb5-d93I'm Shavonn, Founder and CEO at Think and Ink Grant Consulting®. I have over 20 years of real world experience working at a corporate foundation, as a nonprofit leader, and a federal grant reviewer.As the 4th generation in my family doing this work, I've dedicated my life to getting grants for our clients so they can transform the communities they serve. I lead a team of amazing humans that transform how organizations get grants each and everyday.Who do we help? We help colleges and universities, local government, and large nonprofits "think" through effective grant writing strategies and "ink" award-worthy proposals. We specialize in grants that help women and children and advance health and education.A little about meI am a Grant Professional Certified (GPC) grant consultant and GPCI Approved Education Provider.⭐ I started a nonprofit in 2014 from the ground up and got 100% of our projects funded. 🙌🏾⭐ As a former grant maker at a corporate foundation, I know what it's like to be at the table and decide who gets funded. I supported a $1.2 million budget and reviewed countless grant applications.&nbsp; 💲⭐I also know what it takes to win grants. For the past 15 years, I've been frequently called to serve as a foundation and federal grants reviewer for DOL, HHS, and others. 🎯⭐ I am wife to Hugh, mom of two, and dog mom to Lynx (yes, we name a small dog after a big cat)Here is a little bit of what I've learned so far:#1. Grant writing is time-consuming.#2. You have to know what you're doing or you will waste time and not win anything.#3. Just when you think you have it down, you realize you don't.For these reasons, many organizations use us to advance their grant funding through our following services: grant consulting, grant writing, grant research, grant management, and evaluations.Let's chat: https://calendly.com/d/dsf-fb5-d93

Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC

I would be lying if I said that this year was easy.

2025 was far from easy.

Being on the front line and witnessing detrimental changes to the grants industry has been tough.

The origin of these changes are from the outside in.

And unfortunately, also from the inside out.

As we head into Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for.

The love and support from fellow grant professionals have left me speechless.

Thank you for the flowers, the gifts, the text messages, emails, personal conversations, warm thoughts, and the "Thanks, Shavonn, for your contributions to our field." 

It has meant everything.

I am grateful to industry partners, clients, and the entire nonprofit community.

As we head into Thanksgiving and this season of gratefulness...

Let's all remember what we are grateful for.

I am grateful to God, family, and all of you.

If you have ever liked a post, commented, read an article, or reposted a post- THANK YOU! It means so much to me and my team.

What are you grateful for this holiday season?

li_at

JSESSIONID

Grants writer helping colleges and universities, local government, & large nonprofits ($3M +) think through grant writing strategies & ink award-worthy proposals | ⭐ Speaker | 🌍 B Corp Leader | ❤️ Views Are My Own

Have you ever felt guilty for taking a break? 

I went to Costa Rica a few weeks ago, and I’m convinced that time outside the country, away from our busy schedules, can be a game-changer for leadership. 

Self-care isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. 

When our schedules are packed, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. 

But stepping away, even for a little while, helps keep everything in perspective. 

Time to unwind and reflect is good for the soul. 

It’s in those quiet moments, surrounded by nature, that a lot of organic strategic thinking happens for me. 

I come back with fresh ideas, new insights, and a clearer sense of purpose. 

Taking care of ourselves isn’t just about feeling better — it actually makes us better leaders. 

We serve others best when we’re at our best. 

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, maybe it’s time to plan a little getaway. 

It doesn’t have to be an international trip — just enough time to breathe, think, and come back rejuvenated. 

Because sustainable leadership isn’t about working nonstop. 

It’s about knowing when to pause, reflect, and pour into ourselves so we can pour into others even better. 

What’s your take? When was the last time you truly stepped back to regain perspective? 

And what’s one small way you can start prioritizing your own self-care today?

Federal grant writing can be a daunting task. 

Many nonprofit leaders find it challenging to navigate the complexities involved. 

As a federal grant reviewer, I've gained insights that can help demystify this process.

Understanding the reviewer's perspective is crucial.

Learn more in my latest Get.Grants.Better.® LinkedIn Article, "Master Federal Grant Writing: Reviewer Insights".

About Get.Grants.Better.®: As the educational subsidiary of Think and Ink Grant Consulting ®, Get.Grants.Better.® provides discounted grant writing training and templates to grant writers and leaders of emerging organizations (with annual budgets less than $3 million) who are starting their grant writing journey and want to gain the necessary skills to write and win grants.

What being a grant reviewer has taught me about federal grant writing Federal grant writing can be a daunting task. Many nonprofit leaders find it cha

Mastering Federal Grant Writing: Reviewer Insights

Something happened over the weekend.

Think and Ink Grants turned nine years old! 🎉 

Join us as we count down to our 10-year anniversary.

In this article, "Nine Years of Impact: What It Really Takes to Build a Thriving Business", I share lessons in leadership, sustainability, and resilience while looking ahead to a major milestone: Think and Ink Grants 10-year anniversary. 

A must-read for grant professionals, nonprofit leaders, and organizations committed to long-term impact and strategic funding success.

They say most businesses don’t make it past year five. Five years. That statistic has followed me since the day I launched Think and Ink Grants®. And 

Nine Years of Impact: What It Really Takes to Build a Thriving Business

Happy to share that I'll be speaking at What It Takes to Win (and Keep) Federal Funding in 2026! Make sure to attend it on December 9.

Grant consultant helping colleges and universities, local government, & large nonprofits ($3M +) think through grant writing strategies & ink award-worthy proposals | ⭐ Speaker | 🌍 B Corp Leader | ❤️ Views Are My Own

With the longest government shutdown in history behind us, billions in grant dollars are coming back into play. 💸

But winning in this landscape takes clarity and adaptability.

For our final webinar of the year, we're joined by three federal funding powerhouses for a deep dive on all things post-shutdown, compliance, and preparation.

If you’re managing government grants (or planning to pursue them next year), this is an event you don't want to miss.

Bring your burning questions — we’ve saved 30 minutes just for Q&A. 🔥

Plus, our biggest raffle ever... 

Win up to $3,000 towards a 2026 grant conference of your choice! 🎁

Register now 👇

Fielding Jezreel, MSW, GPC, Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC, Rachel Werner, MPA, GPC, PMP

Essha Asif, Samantha Gallion and 46 other attendees

View event: What It Takes to Win (and Keep) Federal Funding in 2026

What It Takes to Win (and Keep) Federal Funding in 2026

My heart is full. 😍

When I get emails like these from a recent grant writing training cohort, it brings me to tears.

♥️ Several attendees emphasized Shavonn’s depth of understanding and expertise in grant writing:

"Very knowledgeable of the topic."
"Shavonn was great. I appreciated her wealth of knowledge and passion for grant writing."
"The speaker was clear and knowledgeable."

♥️ Multiple participants mentioned that the session offered actionable, real-world guidance:

"The strategies Shavonn provided were very practical."
"Informative and engaging with information provided."

♥️ Participants appreciated the specific tools, strategies, and real-world guidance offered:

"I thought the tips, tools, resources, and strategies provided were valuable, especially the free resources to get started."
"I appreciated her discussing all of the different ways to apply for grants and how to think about grants."

As I lean into preparing for the January 2026 Grant Writing 101 cohort, I am moved beyond belief from the appreciation shown. 

Thank you!

I always wondered why nonprofit work felt like second nature to me.

Turns out, the answer was in my roots.

I’m the fourth generation in my family to dedicate their life to serving others through nonprofit work.

But here’s the thing, I didn’t actually know about this legacy until I was well into adulthood. 

My parents didn’t sit me down and map it all out. The stories came out gradually, through small conversations, old photos, and memories shared at family gatherings.

My great-grandparents got involved first, back when service meant rolling up your sleeves and showing up, no matter what. 

My grandparents carried that torch, finding ways to nurture their community, even when times were tough. 

My parents took it further, helping local organizations grow and giving a voice to causes that deserved attention.

All those years I thought I’d just “found” my calling, I was really being guided by the example set before me. It wasn’t just nature or nurture, but a tradition quietly passed down.

Now, every time I work with a client or help an organization land the funding they need, I feel like I’m doing more than just a job. 

I’m honoring a family tradition. I’m proof that impact can echo across generations, shaping us in ways we don’t always see at first.

Have you ever uncovered something unexpected about your own family’s legacy? Did it change the way you saw your path?

[Picture enclosed: Me and my brother with my great-grandmother. Doesn't she look fabulous? She WAS fabulous too.]

Someone once asked me what I think about federal grants and nonprofits right now.

My answer?

We’re in a pivoting season.

What’s that mean?

It’s time to:

🎯 Restructure
🎯 Reimagine
🎯 Reconfigure

We’re shaping what 2026 will look like for our organizations.

Sure, many will say 2025 was a dumpster fire year.

But guess what? 2026 is a blank slate.

It’s the perfect moment to ask yourself:

Are you just going to chase the next grant?
Or are you going to design a strategy that actually moves your mission forward?

Here’s what I’ve learned after 25 years in the grant game:

The organizations that survive and thrive aren’t just the ones chasing every dollar.

They’re the ones who pause, reassess, and retool.

Because when you shift the game, everything changes.

So, what’s your move?

Are you going to keep doing what’s comfortable?

Or are you ready to pivot?

The choice is yours.

Make 2026 your breakout year—not just another year of chasing grants.

Let’s talk about it.

MacKenzie Scott rewrote the playbook on giving.

Instead of long applications and restrictive rules, she chooses a different path:

- No extensive grant reporting required
- No reporting hoops to jump through
- No micromanaging how the money is spent

She just gives. Quickly, quietly, and without strings.

These are big checks, too. Game-changing amounts, often to groups flying under the radar, especially those led by women and people of color.

The reaction? At first, some funders and insiders called it reckless. Too fast. Too trusting. But the results speak for themselves.

Nonprofits move faster. They solve real problems without being bogged down by paperwork. They can actually focus on the work, not on chasing the next grant.

MacKenzie’s approach is simple but radical: pick organizations you believe in, give them the resources, and get out of the way.

She’s proven you don’t need to control every dollar for impact. Sometimes, trust delivers more than oversight ever could.

Makes me wonder: What would happen if more funders followed her lead?

Is your sam.gov account deactivated?

Here is the deal: even if your grants.gov account works, an inactive sam.gov registration will block you from submitting a federal grant in grants.gov.

What usually happens?

1. You get all the way to the finish line...
2. You hit "submit"...
3. You get a "submission failed" email.
4 Your proposal hasn't been received.
5. If you don't fix it fast, you'll miss the deadline.

Even worse, most organizations don't realize there's a problem until the very last minute.

Even organizations that have had active sam.gov registrations for years.

Many assume everything is fine.

And they are still having this issue.

But for some, it may be too late to correct the issue.

Especially if you are submitting on the deadline (which I recommend you NEVER do).

Luckily for us, over the last few weeks, we have saved multiple clients from this dreaded predicament.

So here's my simple advice: double-check your sam.gov status before you start writing and again before you submit.

It could save your entire application.

sam.gov

SAM.gov | Home

Legacy is a loaded word.

People throw it around like it only lives in speeches or end-of-year reports.

But the truth is, your legacy happens in the moments nobody sees.

It’s not the awards or even the signed grant agreements on the wall. 

It’s what happens on an average Tuesday morning, or in the late nights combing through application guidelines when everyone else is asleep.

I don’t think about legacy as some distant milestone. 

I see it when I help a nonprofit secure funding for a cause nobody believed in but them. 

When a university EVP breathes a sigh of relief because a project gets greenlit against the odds. 

When someone in my circle gets the support they actually need, instead of the “one-size-fits-all” advice everyone is tired of pretending works.

It’s easy to turn legacy into an abstract, grand gesture. But if I’ve seen anything after decades in this field, it’s all daily choices. 

Do you show up or do you let invoice schedules and inbox fatigue numb your commitment? 

Do you ask the hard questions even when people want you to rubber-stamp their plan?

These small calls compound. They reshape what’s possible not just for clients, but for the teams and communities connected to every grant, every project.

The big impact gets built quietly, with persistence, not applause.

If the people you care about don’t see your wins on LinkedIn this week, they’ll notice them years from now—in real outcomes that speak for themselves.

Most of the time, that’s enough.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a grant professional truly effective.

It’s not just about knowing the rules or having a thick proposal file.

It’s about mindset.

The best grant pros see challenges as opportunities. They embrace uncertainty and adapt quickly.

They’re curious, always learning, always growing.

And they’re resilient—because this work can be lonely, frustrating, and downright exhausting.

But here’s the truth: the most successful ones are those who keep showing up, no matter what.

So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember this: your mindset is your most powerful tool.

Nurture it. Protect it. Keep it sharp.

A million-dollar grant isn’t built on a cold email.

Here’s a hard truth I’ve seen over 20 years:

Most large nonprofits treat grantmakers like ATMs.

They focus on the proposal.

They forget the person behind the funding.

That’s why so many great missions fall flat at the finish line.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Let’s get real about what’s holding big nonprofits back when it comes to building relationships with funders:

→ You’re stretched thin.

↳ Your team is juggling reporting, events, board meetings, and endless community needs.

→ You’re chasing every funding opportunity.

↳ The result? Generic outreach, minimal follow-up, and relationships that stall after a single grant cycle.

→ You’re nervous about rejection.

↳ So you avoid reaching out unless you have a “perfect” proposal or a warm intro.

Type "YES" if this sounds like you.

When a major Atlanta college came to us, their first TRIO grant proposal didn’t make the cut.

We worked together to:

- Review the funder’s feedback
- Realign the project goals to match funder priorities
- Strengthen community partnerships

The next submission? Approved—with almost $2 million in new funding.

Every “no” is a chance to learn and improve.

Our team is here to help colleges, government agencies, and large nonprofits turn funding setbacks into success stories.

Curious about how we do it?

Happy to chat anytime.

I missed Thanksgiving dinner one year to finish a grant.

It wasn’t a badge of honor.

It was burnout knocking at my door.

If you’re a grant professional or nonprofit leader, you know the drill.

Deadlines don’t care about holidays.

Proposals don’t pause for family traditions.

But here’s the secret most won’t say aloud:

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

This holiday season, let’s flip the script.

Instead of pushing through, try this:

→ 1. Schedule real downtime in your calendar.
Block off hours—yes, even whole days—for yourself.
Protect that time as fiercely as you protect application deadlines.

→ 2. Set an autoreply early.
Tell funders and partners you’ll be out, and stick to it.
Most deadlines are arbitrary.
You’re allowed to unplug.

→ 3. Delegate, delegate, delegate.
If your team can draft a section or handle a call, let them.
Empower others and relieve your own load.

→ 4. Create a “Do Not Work” ritual.
Light a candle.
Step outside.
Read something unrelated to grant writing.
Signal to your brain it’s time to rest.

→ 5. Reflect on wins, not just work left undone.
Write down three things you accomplished this year.
Big or small, celebrate them.

→ 6. Move your body.
A short walk.
Dancing in your kitchen.
Stretching on the living room floor.
Helps reset your mind and energy.

→ 7. Say yes to joy.
Watch the silly movie.
Eat dessert first.
Call a friend just to laugh.

This holiday, give yourself permission to recharge.

Your future self—and your mission—will thank you.

Post the word "joy" if your holiday recharge list looks similar to this.

Eureka-that moment when your crystal ball is accurate. 🎉

A few months ago, I hosted a webinar about integrating AI/ML into your programming and:

1. How to get federal grants for your health organization education organization despite the reduced number of federal grant opportunities available

2. How to pivot your health or education organization to be responsive to today’s climate

3. The next steps of what you need to do starting today to take advantage of this emerging opportunity

Now, I see the trend actually happening.

DOE just released the (FY) 2025 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary
Education – Special Projects (FIPSE-SP) program. 

As I'm digging into the NOFO, I'm having flashbacks of all the things that were shared so many months ago.

For those who attended, now is your chance to implement what you learned.

If you missed it, here is your chance to check out the replay.

A big shout out to Liz Loreti, CFRE!

It has been a joy to witness your leadership at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) Atlanta. 

As Susannah Darrow takes the reins for 2026, I am super excited about what is in store.  🎉

Relationship-centered fundraiser. Strategic problem solver. Servant leader.

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global)

CEO and Founding Partner at Purpose Possible - powering organizations to transform their communities. Views expressed are my own.

Grants in 2026 aren’t just about what you fund—they’re about how you frame, position, and justify your work.

I’m hosting a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) as part of the 2026 Grants AMA Series to discuss:

✔ Federal Grants in 2026- Language Shifts & Strategy Changes
✔ What funders now expect
✔ How to pivot without starting over

This conversation is for nonprofit, government, and higher-ed leaders who want to stay competitive—not reactive.

📅 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
📍 Live via Zoom (LinkedIn Event)
👉 Save your seat here: https://lnkd.in/e23quECU 

#FederalGrants #GrantStrategy #NonprofitLeadership #GovernmentGrants #ThinkAndInkGrants

Is Grants.gov overdue for a refresh?

There's something new on the horizon.

The federal government is testing Simpler.Grants.gov, a pilot version designed to upgrade how we find and apply for grants. 

The goal? More transparency, better usability, and a smoother experience for everyone in our sector.

If you haven't explored it yet, take a look at https://lnkd.in/e4HxRDQh.

There's even a quick, 1-minute survey where you can share your thoughts and influence what comes next.

Have you tried the new version yet? What did you notice, and does it solve any pain points from the old system?

grants.gov

Next System Maintenance: February 21-23, 2026

Grant writing is a crucial skill for nonprofits seeking funding. As we approach 2026, the landscape is evolving.

Learn more about how to craft a successful grant writing strategy for 2026 with our comprehensive guide. 

Learn essential tips to align with funder priorities and secure grants.

All in my latest Get.Grants.Better.® article, "2026 Grant Writing Startegy: Essential Tips and Guide.

About Get.Grants.Better.®: As the educational subsidiary of Think and Ink Grant Consulting ®, Get.Grants.Better.® provides discounted grant writing training and templates to grant writers and leaders of emerging organizations (with annual budgets less than $3 million) who are starting their grant writing journey and want to gain the necessary skills to write and win grants.

What to Include in Your 2026 Grant Writing Strategy Grant writing is a crucial skill for nonprofits seeking funding. As we approach 2026, the landscap

2026 Grant Writing Strategy: Essential Tips & Guide

I always thought I would be an executive director of a nonprofit organization. In order to prepare for the role, I started my nonprofit career as a fundraiser after being advised that fundraising is a major responsibility of an executive director. Twenty plus years later, I am still fundraising, never served as an executive director,  because I fell in love with fundraising. Over my professional career, I experienced the joy and transforming power of fundraising and philanthropy.  

After over 20 years as a fundraiser, I established my own consulting business and I have enjoyed working with a diverse group of organizations that align with my business values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

As a Fundraising consultant, I center wisdom and balance with all of my clients. I truly believe that organizations should be able to achieve their goals while staff remains whole as professionals and individuals. My services include strategic planning, assessment, interim services, and fundraising training and development.

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