Michelle Merriweather

Rural economies don’t thrive by accident but because of targeted investment. That’s why the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program is a critical piece of the economic development puzzle. For rural communities, these funds provide the foundational capital and flexible "soft infrastructure" that small, emerging businesses need to scale. Here is why they matter: • Catalyzing Entrepreneurship: Turns small business ideas into sustainable realities by funding feasibility studies, business plans, and rural incubators. • Capitalizing Revolving Loan Funds: Keeps investment capital circulating locally by providing regional intermediaries with the means to establish or expand community loan funds. • Technical Support: Delivers crucial funding for leadership training, technology-based economic development, and market research. When we invest in #ruralecosystems, we aren't just supporting individual businesses but are building long-term regional economic resilience. I received more than one RBDG during my time as a practitioner and they were instrumental in my work in #RuralDevelopment and #EconomicDevelopment https://lnkd.in/efKKJY6a #SmallBusiness #Philanthropy #Entrepreneurship #CommunityInvestment

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Donor Advised Fund holders… if you’re concerned about how your DAF custodian may consider your grant requests, I highly recommend you check out this effort, @DAFCommons. Scott Edward Anderson and I were so lucky years ago to discover ImpactAssets, and there are other values-aligned DAF’s for you to discover. And also: www.freeyourdaf.org 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

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Board members and nonprofit leaders — are you leaving money on the table? For the remaining three months of 2025, we urge non profits to meet with their donors about multi-year giving before the end of year.  By acting now donors can turn tax savings into campaign momentum for years to come. 👉 The combination of a lower deduction cap and the new threshold means pledges made in 2025 generate greater tax savings than the same gift will in 2026. Let the Numbers Speak for Themselves 2025               2025        2026       Gift Size    Tax Savings  Tax Savings  $       50,000   $     18,500   $       8,750    $     100,000   $     37,000   $    26,250   $    250,000    $    92,500   $    78,750    $    500,000    $  185,000   $  166,250   $ 1,000,000    $  370,000   $  341,250    $ 2,500,000   $  925,000   $ 866,250    $5,000,000    $1,850,000  $1,741,250    👉 If you are in a campaign which accepts multi-year commitments, pledging this year allows donors to secure today's stronger tax benefits while spreading payments over time.  👉 Strong market returns enable donors to gift appreciated assets - securities, real estate, and other holdings that both avoid capital gains tax and qualify for full deductibility under current rules. 👉 Donor-advised funds (DAFS) add another pathway: donors can "front-load" contributions to a DAF in 2025, receive the deduction now, and direct funds to your campaign in future years. Bottom line: 2025 is the moment to secure major, multi-year gifts. Carpe diem. TIP: If you are not talking to your major donors, other smart organizations are.

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“Listening isn’t just a step on the path to change. It is the work.” In a recent interview with Fund for Shared Insight, TCI's President and CEO Ashley Kenneth shared how centering impacted people in policy design and decision-making makes the work more relevant and powerful, and how funders can show up to really listen. Learn more in the full interview. https://lnkd.in/ejztxPwG

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One of the most common funding challenges nonprofits face is overreliance on a single grant opportunity. When organizations depend heavily on one funding source, they expose themselves to significant risk. If that opportunity disappears or funding priorities shift, programs may suddenly face financial uncertainty. Organizations that maintain stability typically approach funding more strategically. They build diversified pipelines that include a combination of foundation grants, government programs, corporate partnerships, and other revenue sources. This diversification reduces risk and creates greater financial resilience. A strong funding strategy also allows organizations to pursue opportunities that align closely with their mission rather than applying for every available grant. For nonprofit leaders, developing a diversified funding strategy requires planning and discipline. It involves identifying appropriate opportunities, strengthening internal readiness, and aligning funding goals with long-term organizational priorities. Over time, this approach allows organizations to build stronger and more sustainable funding structures. Organizations that diversify their funding pipelines are better positioned to grow their programs while maintaining stability. If your organization relies heavily on one or two grants, send a message to start a conversation about strengthening and diversifying your funding pipeline. #FundingStrategy #GrantFunding #NonprofitFinance #NonprofitLeadership #FundingPipeline

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Grateful to Rob Faughnan, CFRE, and our team for the thoughtful work they’ve been doing with diocesan and Catholic partners across the country. The environment for philanthropy is changing quickly, both in policy and in practice. Ministries that are leaning in, listening, and adjusting are strengthening engagement and building more effective major gift programs. If your organization is wrestling with how these shifts may affect your development strategy, this is a timely and practical set of insights. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gRNxKf49 #TGCphilanthropy #CatholicPhilanthropy #FaithBasedFundraising #MajorGifts #NonprofitLeadership #Philanthropy #TheGivingCollaborative

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Grants can be valuable but they are not a complete funding strategy. Too many nonprofit leaders depend solely on grant opportunities and are left frustrated when results fall short. Grants should be part of your plan, not the entire plan. Sustainable organizations build multiple streams of revenue. That includes individual donations, partnerships, earned income, and yes, grants as well. When your funding is diversified, your nonprofit has stability and resilience. My work is helping founders design strategies that create long-term sustainability, not short-term survival. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eHcJX-B8 #NonprofitFunding #SustainableImpact #FundingStrategy #NonprofitGrowth #BuildANonprofit #SocialImpact #FundSmarter #GrantReady #MissionDriven #PM3University #TheGrantGOAT

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“National philanthropy cannot pull democracy out of the ditch. Civic renewal must come from the bottom up. Community foundations—rooted in place, more apt to be trusted by neighbors, capable of forming citizens and revitalizing civic culture—are uniquely positioned to lead this work.” Daniel Stid

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Daily Dose of Diversification: Grant Funding. Apply for foundation, corporate, and government grants by developing a targeted and strategic approach that aligns your mission with each funder's priorities. Begin by researching and prioritizing opportunities, then build a comprehensive grants calendar that includes deadlines, reporting requirements, and key touchpoints for relationship-building. Treat each grant application not just as a funding request, but as the beginning of a long-term partnership, engaging funders through timely updates, meaningful stewardship, and transparent reporting. By cultivating these connections and maintaining a well-organized grants management system, your organization will create a reliable and renewable stream of revenue that can be leveraged year after year to support growth, innovation, and sustainability. #Fundraising #FundraisingConsultant #Development #DevelopmentDiversification #Diversification #PrometheanFundraising

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💡 I’ve been reflecting on this: traditional philanthropy is outdated. The best investors don’t just fund problems— they back solutions. You can raise capital for what’s wrong. Or you can raise capital for what’s working. If your mission is only to fix challenges, then success means working yourself out of a job once those challenges are solved. But if your mission is to scale proven solutions—like we’re doing at CIVIC CITY—you unlock something far more powerful: ✅ Agility beyond philanthropy ✅ Investment that’s sustainable, not seasonal ✅ Impact that’s scalable, not one-off The future of city-building will belong to ventures that prove what works—not just point out what’s broken. That’s why we’re building Civic City.

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Critical Win for Community Finance: $289 Million in CDFI Funding Released Huge news for the community development sector! After months of uncertainty and tireless advocacy, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has officially released the remaining $289 million in FY 25 appropriations for the CDFI Fund. For those of us on the ground, this is more than just a line item in a budget - it is the fuel for affordable housing, small business growth, and financial inclusion in the communities that need it most. What This Means: 1. Unlocked Capital: These funds were previously withheld, leaving many CDFIs in limbo. Their release allow the Treasury to move forward with the FY 2025 funding rounds. 2. Operational Stability: This total completes the $324 million appropriated by Congress (joining the $35 million previously allotted for administrative costs). 3. New Compliance Landscape: It is important to note that the release comes with a shift in oversight. The Treasury has indicated new rules focusing on PRWORA compliance and federal anti-discrimination laws to ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits are aligned with current federal priorities. Why Advocacy Matters: This result didn't happen in a vacuum. It is a testament to the power of a unified voice. From OFN and the CDFI Coalition to the 26 Senators an over 100 House members who signed onto bipartisan letters - your persistence paid off. While we celebrate this win, our work isn't over. With the FY 2027 budget discussions already proposing significant shifts in funding levels, the need to demonstrate our impact has never been greater. Let's keep the momentum going! #CDFI #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicOpportunity #CDFiFund #CDFICoalition #OFN

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Philanthropy has an opportunity and responsibility to rebalance power, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by its decisions are heard and heeded, and that resources support the community's self-determined goals and needs. NCFP is excited to join several of our partners to launch the Listen to Community initiative. The initiative supports listening and participatory practices that have the power to counteract conventional philanthropic dynamics, creating strong partnerships between communities and funders. Join Listen to Community’s mailing list to receive updates on and access to stories of funder listening, opportunities for peer connections and support, and practical tools to advance your own listening practices. https://lnkd.in/eNVpZWfg

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For those that know me, mid-level giving programs are a professional passion of mine. Here are a few recent thoughts on why I think you should focus on your mid-level donors now more than ever.

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Fundraising is about relationships, not transactions! 💬 Christal M. Cherry shares insights on building authentic connections with donors. 🤝 Learn how to listen, engage, and empower communities in your #fundraising efforts! https://bit.ly/4n2Mg5r

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ICYMI: Last week, we released a white paper, written in collaboration with Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP), regarding voluntary, community-led regionalization, which offers a pathway to strong, more resilient systems. Check out the full paper here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gmPtnZVZ

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Fundraising rooted in scarcity creates pressure. Fundraising rooted in abundance creates connection. T.J. McGovern, MPA shares a powerful reminder that taking a more thoughtful and donor centered approach leads to stronger trust and more meaningful philanthropy. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eFkEwTG9 #engagementfundraising #philanthropy

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Fundraising isn’t just about mobilizing resources — it’s about nurturing relationships. When donors only hear from us during a funding request, we risk turning meaningful partnerships into simple transactions. Authentic engagement means: keeping donors informed, sharing progress and lessons, celebrating impact together. Strong relationships build sustainable development. Let’s invest in people, not just proposals. #Fundraising #DonorRelations #DevelopmentImpact #Partnerships

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GrantTalk Ep 48: Grants That Strengthen Operations | The Nonprofit Management Fund Strong programs need strong operations. 🎯 This GrantTalk episode breaks down how operational grants and grant writing cohorts help nonprofits build long-term capacity. ▶️ Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/ewTmc_ab #grantfunding #nonprofitleadership #operationalgrants #grantstrategy #granttalk

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