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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Set the Table, Win the Grant 🍽️
Published about 2 months ago • 6 min read
November 2025
Show your mission some love with a grant strategy that actually works.
November is a time for gathering, gratitude—and if you’re playing the long game—getting strategic. Just like setting the table before the feast, laying the groundwork for your grant approach now sets your organization up for success in the months ahead. Why does this matter? Because data shows that nonprofits with a clear grant strategy are over 3 times more likely to secure funding than those that take an opportunistic, scattershot approach.
Strategy isn’t a luxury—it’s your secret ingredient. When organizations align mission, funding opportunities, and capacity, they stop chasing and start choosing. And that’s when transformation happens.
Grants Are a Team Sport: Why Your Development Staff Shouldn’t Go It Alone
“No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”
— Alfred North Whitehead
Let’s be honest: grants don’t write themselves—and they definitely don’t win themselves either.
As we near the end of 2025, we’re taking a moment not only to reflect on what it takes to win at grants—but also to thank the many passionate program staff, fearless fundraisers, inspired funders, and brilliant collaborators who’ve joined us on the journey this year. You are the reason these wins were possible. 💛
Strategic Alignment = Competitive Edge
If your team is still applying for “whatever’s open,” it’s time for a shift. Strong applications don’t just sound good—they align with funder goals, internal capacity, and community need.
Here’s how to level up:
🎯 1. Align with Funders’ Strategic Priorities: Before drafting a single word, study your target funder's strategic plan, past awardees, and mission. Your proposal should feel like a natural fit, not a forced sell.
🧩 2. Design with Deliverables in Mind: Don’t just dream big—show how you’ll execute. Include actionable timelines, responsibilities, and outcomes to build reviewer confidence.
📆 3. Federal Fiscal Year Deadlines Just Passed: Federal agencies are typically already planning next year’s grant cycles. Within a few days after the government resumes, this is prime time to connect, engage with program officers, and begin crafting competitive proposals before guidelines drop.
🔗 Want help mapping your next 12 months of grant submissions?
Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Carinci Consulting and get started building your custom grants calendar before the year ends.
Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM)
Award Amount: Up to $2,000,000 for Track1 (Building Capacity) and Track 2 (Implementation Projects); Up to $5,000,000 for Track 3 (Inter-institutional Consortia)
Deadline: March 3, 2026
Description: Description: Supports institutions of higher education to fund scholarships for academically talented low-income STEM majors and to study and implement a program of activities that support their recruitment, retention and graduation.
Small Grants for Research (SGR) - Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)
Award Amount: Up to $200,000
Deadline: January 12, 2026
Description: Supports STEM or STEM Education faculty members at TCUP-eligible institutions to initiate or pursue research projects or programs that may include undergraduate or graduate student engagement. Awards are intended to help further the faculty member's research capability and effectiveness; improve research and teaching at his or her home institution and create and study new models and innovations in STEM teaching and learning. International research or collaborations are strongly encouraged.
Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE: EDU)
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.
Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS)
Award Amount: Up to $250,000
Deadline: January 22, 2026
Description: Supports the research in mathematical and physical sciences of pre-tenure faculty at institutions with historically lower levels of NSF funding.
Collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and Geosciences (CAIG)
Anticipated Award Amount: $6,000,000 to $10,000,000 (with 5-9 awards estimated)
Deadline: February 4, 2026
Description: Supports interdisciplinary projects that leverage AI to address geoscience challenges, fostering collaboration between experts to advance Earth system understanding and workforce development.
Computer and Information Science and Engineering: Future Computing Research (Future CoRe)
Award Amount: maximum limit of $1,000,000 with a duration up to 4 years
Deadline: Proposals are accepted anytime. Submit by the target dates to ensure quicker consideration. Target dates: Feb. 5, 2026 & Sept. 10, 2026
Description: Aims to develop a robust, well-prepared CISE workforce by supporting transformative projects that inform our understanding of the effective teaching and learning of computing and artificial intelligence at all levels.
Description: To support nonprofit charter school leaders aiming to expand their high-performing schools by serving 250 to 1,000 additional students over the next two years.
Award Amount: Award Amount: Estimated total funding of $35,000,000, with approximately 40 awards anticipated
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Description: To assist rural communities with water and wastewater systems through free technical assistance and training. Grant recipients will help identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems, assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste grants, and improve the operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.
Expanding Access to Swimming Through Inclusive Grant Programs
Award Amount: $1,000 - $10,000, depending on program applied to and budget
Deadline: November 15, 2025
Description: Dedicated to saving lives and building champions, both in and out of the pool. Through its Youth and Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants, the Foundation ensures underserved and underrepresented communities gain access to life-saving swim lessons. Additionally, HBCU and Community Impact Grants foster equitable opportunities in swimming, supporting both competitive pathways and broader community engagement.
Description: Supports groups of two or more scholars seeking to increase humanistic knowledge through manuscript preparation for collaborative print publications, or the planning of an international collaboration.
Description:Supports research, conservation, and exhibition programming in American art such as innovative exhibitions that explore new research about American art; innovative and important museum catalogues and books; and conservation and restoration of American masterpieces.
🌟 Real results, real impact. Hear what people are saying about their experience with us!🌟
🎉 Grant Win! 🎉
Purpose: Expand youth summer and after-school programs, with an emphasis on promoting positive social behaviors, increasing community engagement, and reducing the risk of violence.
Too many nonprofits miss one of the best times of year to make their proposals shine: Q4.
💰 Private Funders & Corporate Giving Deadlines Hit Hard in Q4: Many family foundations and corporate giving programs close in November or December to align with tax-year or fiscal deadlines. Missing those = missing thousands (or millions).
📊 Strategic Planning is Happening NOW: Foundations and agencies are reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and where they’ll invest next. The savviest nonprofits are getting on their radar now with strong concept notes, LOIs, or relationship-building.
🔍 Your Move? Start by asking: “What funders matter most to our mission—and what are their year-end habits?”
Not sure how to start? 📅 Reply to this email with "Q4 STRATEGY" to have us contact you to talk through your needs, strategize with us about your vision, and get clarity on your questions.
⏰ Attention Nonprofits and Higher Ed Research Offices!
Time is running out . . . 🚀
Are you ready to kickstart your 2026 funding strategy?
If you’ve been putting off getting organized for grant season, now’s the time to act. Many organizations miss out on hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars each year simply because they lack the time or expertise to navigate the complex grant landscape.
We’re opening a limited number of discounted Strategy Client opportunities for those who want to get ahead for the new year. This exclusive, year-long engagement includes:
✨ Comprehensive grant research and a customized roadmap to target funders that align with your mission
📝 Ongoing grant writing support to strengthen proposals and keep momentum all year long
Whether you’re a growing nonprofit or part of a university
research office, this is your chance to transform your approach, secure more funding, and scale your impact in 2026.
Book a discovery call and learn about early bird pricing—available for a limited time only!
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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