Newsletter - October 2025

How was your October? It’s hard to believe we’re almost in November and our year-end buffer months are gone!

In this month´s newsletter, we’ve included a case study blog post by Focus consultant Gregg Kelley highlighting a recent project, and include insights on the benefits of grant writing support to build out your team’s capacity. Plus a few good reads down below.

As we head into the holiday season, I hope you’ve got good outlets for stress and wine chilling in the fridge. I think we’re all going to need something to get us through!

Nadine Gabai-Botero, MA, CFRE
President

In Focus: Moves Momentum

Focus Fundraising Moves Management

Successful fundraising is the blending of art and science. As development professionals, we naturally gravitate toward the art of connecting with new or longtime supporters who believe in your mission and want to see your organization thrive. The meetings, dinners, coffees, proposals, and galas? Fun!

But the science of fundraising — the structure, systems, and processes that make it all sustainable — is just as essential.

In this month's blog, Focus consultant Gregg Kelley shares his thoughts on how to incorporate moves management into your everyday fundraising practices. Read more here.

Client Spotlight

We’re excited to continue our work with Disability Rights California. Over the next year, we’ll be partnering with their team on corporate and foundation fundraising, their year-end strategy and spring gala, and a search for their first Director of Development. We love it when clients return; it’s the best reminder of why we love what we do!

Grants Autopsies

As nonprofits face even stiffer competition for grant funding, examining your prospect outreach process and how you write about your programs is more important than ever. Focus grants writers bring decades of expertise to their work, and are able to provide guidance that could shift a “we’re not accepting applications” stock email response into a “sure, we’d love to learn more” from a prospective funder.

If you’re interested in exploring what fractional grants writing consulting looks like, in November, we’re offering 30-minute Grant Autopsy sessions where we review a recently declined letter of intent or grant proposal to share insights on your solicitation and what you could shift in the future to get a positive outcome. We’ve only got five slots, so if you’re interested, please let us know and we’ll add you to our schedule.

We’re excited to continue our work with Disability Rights California. Over the next year, we’ll be partnering with their team on corporate and foundation fundraising, their year-end strategy and spring gala, and a search for their first Director of Development. We love it when clients return; it’s the best reminder of why we love what we do!

Resource Roundup & Good Stuff

Did you attend a No Kings protest on 10/18? I was in downtown DC and loved being among the energy, positivity, and resolve of those who attended. If you want a shot of endorphins, click on this Substack compilation of protest signs and costumes

Also, It’s been a while since we’ve recommended podcasts, so here are a couple of good ones we’ve been listening to that focus on AI and what fundraisers need to know:

  • FundraisingAI with Nathan Chappell and Scott Rosenkrans. This podcast focuses on the ethical use of AI in fundraising, including discussions on topics like donor engagement, analytics, and AI strategies for year-end campaigns.
  • Nonprofit Lowdown with Rhea Wong. Solid advice on nonprofit management, including episodes on leveraging AI for fundraising, donor engagement, and how to use data ethically.
Tagged , , , , , .