Budget Blueprint: Turning Numbers into Grant-Winning Narratives

Your operating budget isn't just a collection of numbers; it's a powerful narrative that can significantly impact your grant success. Funders want to see a clear, compelling story of your organization's financial health, stability, and strategic alignment with your mission.
 
Are you confident that your operating budget is telling the right story?
 
In this engaging and hands-on session, you'll move beyond spreadsheets and learn how to transform your operating budget into a persuasive tool that strengthens your grant requests.
Here's what you'll gain:

• Decode the Funder's Lens: Understand exactly how grant reviewers interpret your operating budget, who on their team will be scrutinizing it, and the key indicators they're looking for to assess your organization's viability and impact.
• Uncover Your Budget's Current Narrative: Through guided analysis, you'll critically examine your existing operating budget to identify the story it currently tells – the strengths, the areas for clarification, and potential red flags.
• Rewrite Your Financial Story: Learn practical strategies and techniques to revise your operating budget, ensuring it clearly and accurately reflects your organization's operational realities, programmatic priorities, and long-term sustainability.
• Master the One-Page Summary: Discover how to create a concise and compelling operating budget summary that directly aligns with your grant requests for operating support, highlighting key financial data in a way that resonates with funders

• Real-World Case Studies: Collaborative analysis of 1-2 operating budget samples to identify best practices and common pitfalls.
• Focused Work Session: Dedicated time to actively work on your own operating budget with guidance and support.
• Valuable Peer Insights: Engage in peer review to gain diverse perspectives and identify opportunities for improvement in your budget presentation.

Meet the presenter:

Jacque Stouffer, CFRE, is Founder and Principal of WritePlace Consulting – a partner with nonprofit agencies in the compelling communication of their stories to engage more donors and increase funds raised. With a flair for the creative and a love of lists, notebooks and all things efficient, Jacque has an established track record of proven success in organized fundraising through clear communications and accountable grants management. A graduate of William Jewell College with degrees in Communication and Psychology, an Independent Grant Writing Consultant since 2008, and a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2016, Jacque has worked with more than 30 nonprofits across a variety of sectors, helping them build and execute robust grants management systems to strengthen relationships with donors and achieve fundraising goals.

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