Understanding Grants: Fueling Missions, Changing Communities
A grant is more than just money—it’s an opportunity to advance the mission and strategic goals of an organization. Whether the funding comes from local, corporate, community, state, or federal entities, grants are investments in solutions that address real needs.
As grant professionals, we work alongside organizations that tirelessly serve our communities—improving the places where we live, work, and play. Unfortunately, the unmet needs in communities across the U.S. continue to grow without sustainable solutions. No matter the political climate or budget debates, the reality remains: reimbursement for services and funding for those serving our most vulnerable neighbors has never been sufficient. Grants help bridge that gap, enabling nonprofits, for-profits, and government agencies to make measurable impacts for the people they serve.
How Much Money Are We Talking About?
According to Giving USA 2025: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2024, charitable giving grew 6.3% in current dollars (3.3% adjusted for inflation)—the first time in three years that giving outpaced inflation. These contributions came from individuals, bequests, foundations, and corporations, often through donations and grants.
In addition to private giving, government agencies release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) to accomplish national priorities. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the federal budget—created by the prior administration—allocated:
$1.606 trillion in base discretionary spending
$895 billion for defense
$711 billion for non-defense (education, public health, transportation, research, etc.)
Grants come from that non-defense discretionary spending. However, since January 2025, some awarded grants have been paused or eliminated due to Executive Orders, many of which are now facing legal challenges.
Accountability Matters
Every grant comes with responsibility. Funders expect results and require accountability. For federal awards, the Uniform Guidance outlines cost principles, requirements, and audit procedures—recently updated in October 2024. While corporate and foundation grants may be less strict, they still require compliance with specific guidelines, budgets, and reporting processes.
Once awarded, an authorized representative signs a binding agreement. This means adhering to reporting schedules, meeting performance goals, and ensuring funds are spent exactly as approved.
The Grant Professional’s Role
Behind every successful grant is a careful process that begins long before the application is submitted. Grant professionals:
Research community needs and organizational capacity
Align opportunities with the agency’s mission and strategic plan
Coordinate with leadership to identify priorities
Develop competitive proposals under tight timelines (often less than 15-30 days)
Because each grant opportunity is unique—different page limits, formatting, scoring rubrics, and attachments—it takes specialized skill to navigate the process successfully. That’s why organizations rely on professionals who not only know how to write and manage grants, but also uphold the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Code of Ethics throughout the entire grant lifecycle.
Ready to Secure Your Next Grant?
At Coppertop Consulting, we combine strategic insight, grant writing expertise, and an unwavering commitment to ethics to help organizations turn funding opportunities into real-world impact. Whether you’re a nonprofit seeking program support, a tribal government developing community initiatives, or an agency preparing for competitive federal funding, we can help you:
Identify the right funding opportunities
Build compelling, data-driven proposals
Manage awarded grants with full compliance
📩 Let’s talk about your funding goals. Contact Coppertop Consulting today and discover how we can help you secure the resources you need to create lasting change.
