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Inquiry and Research

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Inquiry and Research are both about gathering information. Inquiry involves asking and answering questions, while research is an investigation and review of content and data to reach a conclusion.

Information gathering is an essential part of the nonprofit development process. As we are positioning ourselves to solve problems in our communities, we want to be able to demonstrate knowledge of our cause and readiness to take on the challenge.

We have to be able to answer the ‘Who, What, Where, When, Why and How’ questions easily and consistently when writing proposals and sharing our story with stakeholders.

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Writing an Executive Bio for Nonprofit Leaders

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An executive bio describes your personal values, interests, career history and accomplishments. You’ll need a bio for your website, professional networks, and for the many applications and proposals that are submitted to raise funds for your business.

You should have two versions available:

  • Informal bio - short and written in first-person

  • Professional bio - longer, written in third-person narrative

Here are a few tips to writing a compelling and concise executive bio:

  • Be Consistent: your bio should reflect and summarize information on your resume, linkedin profile and other professional online channels

  • Focus on Action: be sure to explain both who you are and what you do.

    • Example: “Vanessa King is an experienced community advisor, known for educating and supporting students as they transition from high-school into post-secondary opportunities.”

What to include in your bio?

  • Share Your Passions and Personality: Let readers know what inspires you and how your interests and experience inform your current work

  • Summarize Your Career Path: tell a story about your professional experience including your current role, showing how it all hangs together

  • Share Professional Accomplishments: provide an account exemplary projects and the impact you’ve had on the organizations you’ve served

  • Include Relevant Qualifications: Describe significant educational experiences, degrees, professional memberships and other credentials

  • Get Personal: Briefly tell your readers who you are and what you enjoy outside of work

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What is Planned Giving?

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Planned Giving (aka Legacy Giving) Programs are put in place to solicit and manage donations from financial or estate plans. Planned giving lets donors set a schedule to leave money or assets to a nonprofit, both during their lifetimes and after death in their will.

Vocabulary

Bequest A bequest is a gift made to a nonprofit in a donor’s will. Bequests are received by a nonprofit after the donor has passed and their will is executed.

Bequest Intention This is the donor’s notice that they intend to make a planned gift. This is not legally binding, but it means a nonprofit can expect the future donation and the planned giving officer can thank these donors.

Bequest Expectancy The approximate value of future planned gifts based on previous planned gifts made to a nonprofit. Bequest expectancy can help with business planning and budgeting for a planned giving program.

Non-Cash Assets This is a gift that is not cash. Planned gifts and legacy giving can also be donated through stocks, life insurance policies, retirement accounts or property.

Sample Planned Giving Programs

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Professional Service-Learning

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Professional Service-Learning
Professional Service-Learning is an approach to education that links service-leadership and project management to deep inquiry and reflection.

It's a process for nonprofit and community leaders who want to learn, participate and lead to improve conditions in their neighborhoods.

The DevoCenter Professional Service-Learning Process helps leaders make personal connections to service, execute meaningful projects that measure results, and multiply their impact by sharing what they learn with youth and community partners.

Benefits for Nonprofit and Community Leaders

  • Leaders who participate in professional service-learning get to explore and articulate their values and habits... and they set goals that are aligned to the things that they care about.

  • They become passionate and informed advocates for their causes and they're able to describe a world made better because of their efforts.

  • Learners understand service as a leadership model and develop key management skills.

  • They also broaden their perspectives about what’s possible.

  • With service-learning, leaders develop action plans and execute projects that are designed to measure success.

  • Leaders partner with others to meet needs in their neighborhoods ...and to celebrate!

  • Service leaders encourage civic engagement and participation in others by sharing what they learn.

At DevoCenter we're bringing women together to learn, participate and lead.

If this is exciting to you we hope you'll join us.

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Conflict of Interest Policy

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The purpose of the conflict-of-interest policy is to protect a nonprofit’s interest when entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer, director, the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. The policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Conflict of Interest Policy Template

Habits of Mind: Thinking About Thinking

Reference: Habits of Mind: Strategies for Disciplined Choice Making | By Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick

Thinking About Our Thinking (Metacognition) “When the mind is thinking it is talking to itself.” - Plato

Occurring in the neocortex, metacognition is our ability to know what we know and what we don’t know. It is our ability to plan a strategy for producing what information is needed, to be conscious of our own steps and strategies during the act of problem solving, and to reflect on and evaluate the productiveness of our own thinking. Probably the major components of metacognition are developing a plan of action, maintaining that plan in mind over a period of time, then reflecting back on and evaluating the plan upon its completion. Planning a strategy before embarking on a course of action assists us in keeping track of the steps in the sequence for the duration of the activity. It facilitates making temporal and comparative judgments, assessing the readiness for more or different activities, and monitoring our interpretations, perceptions, decisions, and behaviors.

Metacognition means becoming increasingly aware of one’s actions and the effect of those actions on others and on the environment, forming internal questions as one searches for information and meaning, developing mental maps or plans of action, mentally rehearsing prior to performance, monitoring those plans as they are employed. It involves being conscious of the need for midcourse correction if the plan is not meeting expectations, reflecting on the plan upon completion of the implementation for the purpose of self-evaluation, and editing mental pictures for improved performance.

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Building a Service-Based Business

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Gaining Perspective and Having Fun!

In 2019, my friends at PowerPro Assistants asked if I would provide a few tips and a bit of inspiration for their virtual assistants who were joining their team. Of course, I was happy to do it. :-)

The unexpected trip down memory lane, refreshed my thinking about the importance of positive perspectives, an attitude of excellence, belief in self and the right relationships to accomplish our goals and achieve more than we imagined.

In this video I cover the virtues of sincere service and curiosity. Working for projects and people that I care about, and actively seeking solutions to challenges has been a major key to my professional success.

Coates Inc. College and Career Strategies

The Coates Inc. vision is educational equity for under-served communities so that all students can attain college and career success. They organize community service opportunities and college and career events for teens and young adults, work with administrative leaders to develop and customize college and career readiness curriculum, and walk students and their caregivers through the college admissions and applications processes.

No Stones Movement

No Stones Movement (NSM) is a non-profit dedicated to nurturing the mental, physical, spiritual and creative journey of Atlanta's inner city youth. NSM empowers teens and young adults by helping them expand their mind, enhance their spirits, strengthen their bodies and embrace their culture so that they can demonstrate the best versions of themselves and be an asset to their communities. Their vision is the holistic development of inner-city youth, ready to lead in Georgia.

Youth Talk United

Youth Talk United is a volunteer-driven youth and family support organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults to deal with their emotions and express themselves in positive ways. Youth Talk United aims to improve quality of life outcomes for youth and young adults ages 10-24 who live in the Greater Birmingham area by offering a variety of supportive services designed to provide them with the life skills they need to successfully deal with issues they may encounter in their daily lives, while preparing them for a smooth transition into the real world.

Funder | Aldi Smart Kids

Due Date(s): March 1st – December 15th each year

Funding Range: $100 - $5,000

Focus: Food Security, Arts and Education, Athletics and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Region(s): search Aldi’s markets

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Aldi Smart Kids supports organizations that make a positive impact on our kids' health and well-being.

Through ALDI Cares Community Grants, we partner with nonprofit organizations that make a positive impact on Children’s Health & Wellness and Food Insecurity while supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. Whether your mission is to support children through education, arts, athletics or addressing food insecurity in your local community, we encourage you to apply for support from ALDI Cares Community Grants.

Funder | Coco-Cola Foundation

Due Date(s): rolling deadline

Funding Range: not listed

Focus: Humanitarian Aid, Sustainable Communities, Education and Youth Development, Social Justice, Coronavirus Response

Region(s): United States and around the world

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world.

Their environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives are anchored by their purpose — to refresh the world and make a difference. The foundation is committed to creating a more sustainable business and better shared future, that makes a difference in people’s lives, communities and the planet

Funder | Constellation Energy

Grant Opportunity: Constellation’s Community Champions Grant Program

Due Date(s): May 15, 2025

Funding Range: Up to $ 500

Focus: Education, Environment, Youth

Region(s): Texas, Georgia, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wyoming and Washington, D.C.

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Through the Community Champions program, Constellation customers can apply for grants up to $500 for causes that are important to their communities. Extra consideration will be given to those requests where the project, organization, or initiative focuses on education, environment, or youth. Since its inception, they have awarded nearly 2,500 community projects. Some examples of causes supported through the program include:

  • School science fair

  • Community tree planting

  • Mentoring program

  • Library/recreation center makeover

  • Youth sports

Funder | Costco Charitable Giving

Due Date(s): rolling deadline

Funding Range: up to 10% of a program budget

Focus: Children, Education, and Health and Human Services

Region(s): search Costco markets

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Costco focuses on supporting charitable programs and community activities in the markets where we do business. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focusing on children, education, and/or health and human services are eligible to apply for consideration, regardless of their distance from our locations.

Funder | The Dyson Foundation

Grant Opportunity:

Due Date: Feb 15 (Letter of Inquiry); Mar 30 (Full Proposal)

Focus: Youth after-school and summer activities

Region(s):  Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster in New York State.

Funding Range: $3,000 and up

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Dyson Foundation considers grants for out-of-school time programs including after-school, summer, and year-round activities.

Funder | H.B. Fuller

Grant Opportunity: North America STEM and Youth Leadership Grants

Due Date: March 1-31 and August 1-31

Funding Range: $5,000 - $10,000

Focus: STEM Education Initiatives, Leadership Development for Youth

Region(s): Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Michigan Center, Michigan; Paducah, Kentucky; Peabody, Massachusetts; Rexdale, Ontario; Simpsonville, South Carolina; South Bend, Indiana; and Vancouver, Washington.

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: H.B. Fuller’s philanthropic vision is to help young people grow into productive, successful adults. Grants are strategically focused in two areas: STEM education – youth education initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and leadership development for youth – organizations and programs that help young people become successful, productive adults.

Funder | National Endowment for the Arts

Grant Opportunity: NEA Our Town

Due Date: August each year

Funding Range: $25,000 - $150,000

Focus: Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, Design, Artist and Creative Industry Support

Region(s): United States

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Our Town is the NEA’s creative placemaking grants program. Through project-based funding, the program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities. Our Town projects advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change and centering equity.

These projects require a partnership between a local government entity and nonprofit organization, one of which must be a cultural organization; and should engage in partnership with other sectors (e.g., agriculture and food, economic development, education and youth, environment and energy, health, housing, public safety, transportation, workforce development).

Funder | Many Hands

Grant Opportunity: Impact or Partner Grants

Due Date: January 2025

Focus: Economic Empowerment, Education, Heath, Housing

Region(s): District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

Funding Range: Up to $ 100,000

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Many Hands has granted more than $2.25 million to nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in socioeconomic need in the Washington, DC area.

Funder | Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Due Date(s): May 10th and November 10th each year

Funding Range: $1,000 - $20,000

Focus: Museums, Performing Arts, Job Readiness, Youth Services, Senior Services, Disability Care, Health Clinics, Community Services, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation, PreK-12 Education, Vocational & Trade Education, Higher Education

Region(s): United States

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation awards grants to organizations for which a small amount of money might make a large difference. The Foundation welcomes requests for support from community-based, non-profit organizations based in the United States.

This foundation supports for museums, cultural, performing, and visual arts programs, schools, hospitals, educational and skills training projects, programs for youth, seniors, and people who are handicapped, environmental and wildlife protection activities, and other community-based organizations and their programs.