Carinci Consulting: Strategy, Funding, Coaching, and Evaluation Services to Advance Nonprofit Impact
As Founder and Principal Consultant of Carinci Consulting, I bring two decades of non-profit leadership launching national strategic and research initiatives, conceptualizing networked improvement communities, and forging diverse partnerships to address gaps and improve stakeholder outcomes. Since launching a grants agency in December of 2022, I have helped clients win over $30 million in grant funding and have advanced a total of over $54 million in my career. How could leveraging my expertise advance your mission and free up your time?
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✏️ Back to (Grants) School: What’s In, What’s Out
Published 5 months ago • 4 min read
September 2025
🚦 Fall Funding Season Is Here: Are You Ready?
As kids sharpen pencils and teachers prep their classrooms, it’s a great time for nonprofits to reset their grant strategy too. Fall marks one of the busiest—and most lucrative—seasons for funding. But here’s the catch: many organizations are still using last year’s playbook while the grants landscape has already evolved. From AI-assisted applications to funders demanding deeper impact metrics, the old “copy-paste from last year” approach won’t cut it. And with the federal fiscal year wrapping up September 30 and many private funders closing books before the holidays, September is the moment to get ahead—not fall behind. Let’s explore what’s in, what’s out, and how to position your organization for a strong Q4 finish—and an even stronger 2026.
Grant Writer vs. Grant Strategist: What’s the Difference—And Why It Matters
"Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."— Sun Tzu
When a nonprofit says, “We need a grant writer,” they’re often referring to someone who can produce polished, compelling proposals. But here’s the truth: great writing alone isn’t what wins funding. To consistently secure grants—especially in today’s competitive landscape—you need more than a strong writer. You need a strategist.
✍️ Grant Writing Pro Tips:
“What’s In, What’s Out” for Fall 2025
Here’s your cheat sheet for writing smarter, more fundable proposals this season:
💡 Try this: Before your next proposal, do a “fundability audit.”
Ask: -Are we tailoring this for this funder? -Can we demonstrate past success with data? -Have we articulated why now is the moment for this investment? 🔗 Need a starting point?
Introduction to Proposal Writing — Candid Learning A foundational, free course from Candid that breaks down the essential elements of proposal structure and content. Great for refreshing your framing and narrative strategies.
Description: 1) Support research in the Professional Formation of Engineers (PFE), and 2) Increase the community of researchers conducting PFE research. PIs are expected to have little or no experience conducting social science or education research.
Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation
Award Amount: Elements proposal is up to $600,000 for up to 3 years; Framework Implementations Projects between $600,001 and $5,000,000 for 3-5 years; Transition to Sustainability Projects up to $1,000,000 for up to 2 years
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Description: Seeks to enable funding opportunities that are flexible and responsive to the evolving and emerging needs in cyberinfrastructure (CI). The program continues to emphasize integrated CI services, quantitative metrics with targets for delivery and usage of these services, and community creation.
Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE: EDU)
Award Amount: unspecified; proposals with large budgets (ca >$1M annually) will likely be subjected to either a site or reverse site visit.
Deadline: January 21, 2026 for Institutional and Community Transformation (Capacity-Building and Level 1) proposals and Engaged Student Learning (Level 1) proposals
Description: Supports projects to improve STEM teaching and learning for undergraduate students, including studying what works and for whom and how to transform institutions to adopt successful practices in STEM education.
Geographic scope: Communities served in AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, PA, SD, TX, UT, WI
Description: Grants are available to organizations working in education, economic development, family support, health, and human services. Support may include program funding, operating costs, capital grants, and sponsorships.
Deadline: Dance, Arts-Related, and Shubert Scholars: October 15, 2025; Theater: December 4, 2025
Description: Supports the ongoing vitality of live performing arts across the U.S., prioritizing nonprofit professional theater and also funding dance organizations. Its primary focus is on providing general operating support, but it also funds arts-related organizations, leading drama departments, and new theatrical works.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program
Award Amount: $20,000 - $1,150,000
Deadline:Dec. 31, 2025
Description: Focuses on building a foundation of fundamental and applied knowledge in food and agricultural sciences critical for solving current and future societal challenges.
Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Future Growth Grants
Award Amount: $15,000 median. It is anticipated that this funding opportunity will provide total Federal funding of $500,000,000 over 5 years.
Deadline: January 1, 2026
Description: Provide financial assistance for designing, developing, and building carbon dioxide CO2 transport systems whose capacity exceeds the CO2 volumes currently under commercial contract.
🌟 Real results, real impact. Hear what our clients are saying about their experience with us!🌟
🎉 Grant Win Alert! 🎉
Purpose: Expand the Addiction Medicine Fellowship program to address the critical shortage of addiction specialists and the growing opioid crisis in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey.
Success Total: $1,992,845
Carinci Consulting Role: Writer
Lessons Learned:
Why September Sets the Stage for Success
Many nonprofits often treat fall as a sprint to finish the year. But seasoned grantseekers know September is a strategic springboard. Here’s why: 🗓️ Federal fiscal year ends Sept 30: Agencies rush to obligate funds—especially for discretionary grants. This means faster timelines, but also surprise RFPs. Stay ready! 💰 Private funders finalize year-end allocations: Many wrap up giving cycles in Q4, making September your last best chance to get in front of them. 🚨 Funders notice rhythm: One splashy proposal isn’t as compelling as a steady cadence of thoughtful submissions. Consistency builds credibility. ✅ Pro Tip: Start your Q4 grants now, not in November. Build out a mini calendar of high-priority submissions between now and mid-December.
🌟 Have a colleague, client, or friend who could use grant writing or funding strategy support?
Send them our way! Referrals mean so much to us, and we’d love to connect with organizations that are ready to grow their impact.
👉 Refer a friend to book a discovery call with Carinci Consulting.
Carinci Consulting: Strategy, Funding, Coaching, and Evaluation Services to Advance Nonprofit Impact
Jennifer Carinci
As Founder and Principal Consultant of Carinci Consulting, I bring two decades of non-profit leadership launching national strategic and research initiatives, conceptualizing networked improvement communities, and forging diverse partnerships to address gaps and improve stakeholder outcomes. Since launching a grants agency in December of 2022, I have helped clients win over $30 million in grant funding and have advanced a total of over $54 million in my career. How could leveraging my expertise advance your mission and free up your time?
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