For Foundations & Philanthropic Institutions
At ark nonprofit consulting, we partner with foundations and philanthropic institutions to strengthen the capacity of their grantees and amplify community impact.
Our expert grant services are designed to help nonprofits submit stronger, more strategic proposals, ensuring your funding initiatives translate into meaningful, measurable outcomes.
Grant Application Assistance 1:1 Support
This service is designed to strengthen grant applications submitted to the funding institution by providing personalized, expert feedback and coaching to applicants during the pre-submission phase.
It supports equitable access to funding by demystifying the grant writing process, particularly for newer or under-resourced applicants.
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Pre-Engagement Coordination
a. Applicant Scheduling Support: Provide access to an online booking calendar for applicants to schedule their 1:1 session.
b. Applicant Intake Form: Develop and distribute a short intake form to gather applicant background, project summary, and specific questions or concerns prior to the session.
c. Eligibility Screening (optional): If desired by the grantmaker, conduct a basic review to ensure the applicant/project meets minimum eligibility criteria.
2. Draft Application Review
a. Comprehensive Review of Draft Materials: Read and assess submitted draft applications; evaluate for clarity, alignment with funder priorities, measurable outcomes, feasibility, and narrative strength.
b. Written Summary of Key Recommendations: Provide a concise, written memo (1-2 pages) outlining strengths of the draft, areas for improvement, specific suggestions (i.e., stronger framing, evidence use, clearer goals, etc.), and tips for alignment with the grantmaker’s stated goals or evaluation criteria.
3. One-Hour Zoom Coaching Session (Limited to One Session per Applicant)
a. Live, One-on-One Virtual Meeting with the Applicant: Walk through feedback and suggested improvements, address applicant questions or concerns in real-time and offer coaching on grant writing best practices when appropriate.
b. Action Steps Recap: End each session with a brief verbal summary of recommended next steps to strengthen the proposal before submission.
4. Post-Session Follow-Up
a. Email Recap to Applicant: Send a follow-up email including the written summary memo, any resources referenced during the session (i.e., sample language, guides), and encouragement and invitation to reach out with brief follow-up questions (does not include a second review of application).
b. Optional Feedback Form: Share a short satisfaction and impact survey with applicants to assess usefulness of the session.
5. Funder Reporting & Coordination
a. End-of-Cycle Report to Funder: Includes summary of number of applicants served, common themes or challenges identified, general recommendations to support applicant success, and aggregate feedback from applicants.
b. Coordination with Funder Staff: Maintain regular communication with grantmaker to align expectations, adapt process as needed, and report on progress.
Timeline: Up to 3 months
Grant Strategy Development & Refinement
This service supports philanthropic institutions—foundations, donor collaboratives, or corporate funders—in building or refining strategic, equitable, and community-informed grantmaking practices.
It is designed to align the funder’s values with actionable giving strategies, responsive funding mechanisms, and measurable impact. The consultant will assess current practices, engage stakeholders, and co-create a comprehensive strategy that strengthens the funder’s impact, transparency, and responsiveness to community needs.
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Phase 1: Discovery & Landscape Assessment
Kickoff meeting with funder staff
Review of existing grantmaking guidelines, application and reporting processes, evaluation frameworks, and funding history
Clarify funder mission, values, focus areas, and desired role in the funding ecosystem (i.e., convener, risk-taker, backbone, systems-changer)
Peer benchmarking of 3-5 comparable funders to include peer funders’ strategies, grant structures, and practices
Deliverable: Discovery Memo with summary of current state, key findings, and initial recommendations
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Phase 2: Stakeholder Engagement
Conduct 3-5 internal interviews (staff and/or board)
Facilitate up to 2 grantee/community listening sessions (virtual or in-person) to surface strengths, gaps, and ideas for improvement
Develop and distribute optional grantee feedback survey
Deliverable: Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Phase 3: Strategy Development
Draft strategic grantmaking framework, including:
Updated funding priorities and focus areas
Types of support (i.e., general operating, project-based, capacity building)
Eligibility criteria, equity goals, and funding cycles
Recommend process structures (i.e., open vs. invitation-only, multi-year vs. single-year. rolling vs. deadline-based)
Recommend improvements to the application, review, and reporting process
Facilitate 1-2 strategy co-design sessions with funder staff and/or board
Deliverable: Grantmaking Strategy Brief (final document)
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Phase 4: Operational Tools & Training
Create sample or revised:
Application questions and guidance
Review rubrics or scoring tools
Reporting templates
Grantee outreach or FAQ documents
Conduct a training or walkthrough for program staff
Deliverables:
Set of updated grantmaking tools
Training materials or slides
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
(Optional) Phase 5: Ongoing Implementation Support
Monthly check-ins with staff to troubleshoot implementation challenges
Establish or facilitate post-cycle debriefs with applicants and reviewers
Provide light-touch refinements or annual strategy tune-up
Deliverables: Monthly memos and refinement recommendations as needed
Timeline: Ongoing
Overall Timeline: 3-4 months
experience the ark difference
Running a nonprofit is challenging. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. We help community leaders and changemakers of mission-driven organizations achieve their vision and get results that empower communities coast to coast.
We’ll work as an extension of your team to empower you with the skills, tools, and resources to achieve your goals and drive your mission forward.
navigate grant opportunities with expert insight
Ready to take your nonprofit to the next level? Contact ark nonprofit consulting today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you unlock new funding opportunities and make a lasting impact in your community.
“It is not on you to complete the work; neither are you free to desist from it.”
Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 2:21