143: Formula for Nonprofit Success: Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains: Interview with Derik Timmerman, Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions

<p>Join me on the Fast Track to Grant Writer: <a href= "https://www.teresahuff.com/vip">www.teresahuff.com/vip</a></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Truth About Grant Readiness</span></strong></p> <p>If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you know I’m a big advocate for grant readiness, because the more prepared you are before you start, the better chance you have of winning a grant. But I’m also a big believer in taking action. The truth is, grant readiness is a lot like parenting. You need a certain amount of stability, but you’re never really 100% ready. At some point, you have to just start and then learn as you go.</p> <p>My friend Derik Timmerman founded Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions to help nonprofits succeed in their fundraising. In this episode of Grant Writing Simplified, Derik tells the story of how Sparrow Nonprofit Solutions started when he realized he had to get a little rowdy, and how you can energize your board members while you get the critical grant readiness pieces in place.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Balancing Heart, Grit, and Brains</span></strong></p> <p>Most nonprofits are full of passion for their cause and determination to stick with it, but they struggle with the business mindset in one of two ways. Either they lack the business knowledge needed to run a nonprofit, or they don’t realize the impact they can have when they think outside the box. </p> <p>It takes more than heart and grit to run a nonprofit. It requires a combination and a balance of heart, grit, and brains to see the mission truly take off. You need all three in tandem.</p> <p>Derik explains further about the importance of business elements in nonprofits and the core elements of grant readiness. Your nonprofit needs just four elements in place before you can win grants through EasyGrant.</p> <ol> <li>Why do we exist? Forming your mission.</li> <li>What is a win? Creating a vision.</li> <li>Who are when when we're winning? Defining values.</li> <li>How do we win? Developing a strategy.