Think and Ink Grant Consulting

Today we recognize Juneteenth—a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and a significant moment in our nation’s history.

It’s a time to reflect on progress, acknowledge the work that remains, and honor the resilience and contributions of Black communities.

At Think and Ink Grants®, we know that meaningful impact requires both awareness and action—especially in the work of strengthening communities and expanding access to opportunity.

We remain committed to supporting organizations doing that work every day.

One week from today.

If your organization is still using the same grant strategy it started 2026 with, it may already be falling behind.

Funding trends are shifting mid-year:
• Competition is increasing
• Funders are asking for stronger outcomes
• Review timelines are changing
• Strategic alignment matters more than ever

Next week’s live AMA is designed to help organizations understand what’s happening right now in the funding landscape—and how to adjust before the second half of the year.

📅 June 23
⏰ 12 PM EST
📍 Live via Zoom

Bring your questions. We’ll answer them live.

👉 Save your spot: https://bit.ly/4ug1uZx

A $2M project can get rejected over a $50,000 issue.

Not because the math was wrong—
but because the budget didn’t explain the story behind the numbers.

Too often, organizations treat the budget as the final step.

But funders are asking something deeper:
Does this organization actually understand what it will take to deliver this work?

In this article, Shavonn Richardson breaks down:
• Why your budget should come first—not last
• The most common budget narrative mistakes
• How to justify every line item with clarity and strategy

👉 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4wte2h6

Want more insight into what’s actually happening in the grant funding landscape?

Our newsletter shares strategic guidance, funding trends, proposal insights, and practical grant advice for nonprofits, colleges, universities, and government agencies.

Because stronger grant strategy starts with better information.

📩 Subscribe here:

👉 Subscribe here and get a FREE E.P.I.C. Assessment (Lite): https://bit.ly/3MZE4qu

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Most organizations spend the majority of their time on the narrative—and treat the budget as an afterthought.

That’s a costly mistake.

Your budget should drive your proposal.

Because your numbers tell funders one of two things:
This organization knows what it’s doing…
or it hasn’t thought this through.

There’s very little middle ground.

👉 If you’re ready to strengthen your grant strategy from the ground up, let’s talk.

Schedule a free consultation:
https://bit.ly/4qXRcdu

Calendly

Most grant trainings teach you how to write.

They don’t teach you how to win.

If your organization is submitting proposals but not seeing results, the issue usually isn’t effort—it’s strategy.

Get Grants Better is designed to help you:
✔ Align with what funders are actually looking for
✔ Strengthen your program positioning
✔ Build proposals that are competitive—not just complete

Because better grants start long before the writing.

👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4opk79b

We’re live today.

Join us for a real-time conversation on what’s actually happening in the grant funding landscape midway through 2026—and what organizations need to adjust moving forward.

We’ll be discussing:
✔ Current funding trends across federal, foundation, and government grants
✔ What funders are prioritizing right now
✔ Why competition is increasing
✔ How organizations can strengthen positioning before the second half of the year

Bring your questions. We’ll answer them live.

⏰ Today at 12 PM EST
📍 Live via Zoom

👉 Join here: https://bit.ly/4ug1uZx

Funders don’t assume the best.

They flag what they can’t verify.

We regularly see proposals where:
• Costs are listed without justification
• Cost share isn’t fully documented
• The narrative and budget don’t match

These aren’t small issues—they’re reasons proposals don’t advance.

Your budget narrative should eliminate every question a reviewer might ask.

👉 If you’re not sure your budget would hold up under review, it’s worth a second look.

Schedule a free consultation: https://bit.ly/4qXRcdu

If your organization is serious about increasing grant funding this year, here’s the question to ask:

Are we building a strategy—or just responding to opportunities?

Because reacting leads to:
• Inconsistent results
• Missed alignment
• Burned-out teams

Strategy leads to:
✔ Stronger proposals
✔ Better funder fit
✔ More sustainable funding

👉 Let’s build a plan that actually works:
https://bit.ly/4qXRcdu

Grant reviewers don’t read proposals the way you think they do.

They’re not reading every word.
They’re scanning for clarity, alignment, and credibility.

Which means:
• Vague language gets skipped
• Misalignment gets flagged
• Weak outcomes raise doubts

The strongest proposals make it easy for a reviewer to say “yes.”

If your proposal requires too much interpretation, you’ve already lost momentum.

Learn more in this blog post from Shavonn: https://bit.ly/4vPHQnQ