🌻 Turn Your Goals Into Growth This Spring!


April 2025

Spring Into Action!

Spring is a season of growth—so why not plant the seeds for your nonprofit’s success? If securing funding has been on your to-do list, now is the time to take action!

At Carinci Consulting, we help mission-driven organizations develop winning grant strategies and secure the funding they need to make a bigger impact.

Let’s connect for a quick call to discuss your goals!

Don't let another season pass without moving your mission forward!


An Introduction to Nonprofit Grant Strategy: Focus on Funding, Not Fumbling

Grants are the lifeblood for many nonprofits, but let’s be honest—getting them often feels like a game of darts played in the dark. If you’re tired of “fingers-crossed” approaches that yield inconsistent results, it’s time to build a solid, intentional grant strategy. A great strategy does more than secure funding; it aligns your grant-seeking efforts with your organization’s priorities, ensuring every dollar serves your mission effectively.

Ready to ditch the fumbling and focus on funding? Here’s your ultimate guide to crafting a nonprofit grant strategy that delivers results.


Advanced Computing Systems & Services: Adapting to the Rapid Evolution of Science and Engineering Research 2.0

Award Amount: $10,000,000-$20,000,000

Deadline: June 24, 2025

Description: To support innovative computing systems and services that enable cutting-edge research in science and engineering.

Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE: EDU)

Award Amount: ICT Level 2 $400,001 to $2 million; ESL Level 2 up to $400,000; ESL Level 3 $750,001 to $2 million

Deadline: July 16, 2025 for Institutional and Community Transformation (ICT Level 2) proposals and Engaged Student Learning (ESL Level 2 and Level 3) proposals

Description: The ICT track funds innovative work applying evidence-based practices that improve undergraduate STEM education and research on the organizational change processes involved in implementing evidence-based practices. The ESL track focuses on design, development, and research projects that involve the creation, exploration, or implementation of tools, resources, and models. Projects must show high potential to increase student engagement and learning in STEM.

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)

Award Amount: minimum of $400,000 for the 5-year duration

Deadline: July, 23, 2025

Description: Supports early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.

Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship

Award Amount: Capacity Building: $100,000; Scholarships and Stipends: up to $1,200,000; Teaching Fellowships: up to $3,000,00; Master Teaching Fellowships up to $3,000,000

Deadline: August 26, 2025

Description: Address the critical need for recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly effective elementary and secondary STEM teachers and teacher leaders who persist as classroom teachers in high-need Local Education Agencies (LEA), by supporting talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers.

DOL Cybersecurity Upskilling Initiative

Award Amount: $2,500,000 - $10,000,000

Deadline: June 29, 2025

Description: Fund job training programs that upskill incumbent and dislocated workers who already have Information Technology (IT) credentials and experience but need additional qualifications and specialization to meet employer demand for high-skill cybersecurity occupations. Grants will be awarded to sector partnerships to design and implement cybersecurity training programs.

TD Charitable Foundation: Capacity Building Fund

Award Amount: Five awards of $100,000 and 20 awards of $50,000

Deadline: May 2, 2025

Description: Recognizes outstanding public high school educators who teach skilled trades classes that emphasize the expert use of tools and materials to build, repair, and maintain products and structures.

Venable Foundation Grants

Award Amount: Not specified; varies based on project scope and impact.

Deadline: June 1, 2025

Description: Funds programs that help build the workforce of the future through job training, career education and career coaching programs.

Spark Good Local Grant Program

Award Amount: $50,000-$250,000 per year

Deadline: Accepting LOIs - April 14 – May 9, 2025; Application - July 11, 2025

Description: To provide catalytic support for sustainable impact in the areas of enhancing educational access, promoting emotional wellbeing, and improving educational systems.


🌟 Client Testimonial Spotlight! 🌟


A private Lutheran college in Rock Island, Illinois, has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking program! 🌟

The purpose is to enhance and expand efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus.


Lessons Learned: Navigating Changes in Federal Grant Availability and Requirements

Recent executive orders and shifts in agency priorities have brought significant changes to the landscape of federal grants. These changes can affect everything from the availability of funding to the specific requirements of grant applications. Here are the top five lessons learned that can help nonprofits stay agile and prepared:


1. Stay Informed: Regularly update your knowledge of policy changes and new funding opportunities.
2. Adapt Quickly: Be ready to pivot your strategies to align with new guidelines and priorities.
3. Enhance Collaboration: Work closely with partners who can share insights and resources that help you adapt to changes.
4. Focus on Compliance: Ensure that your applications meet all new requirements to avoid disqualification.
5. Engage with Funders: Maintain open lines of communication with grantors to better understand their changing priorities and how you can align your projects.


Resources to Stay Updated and Prepared:


By staying informed, adaptable, and proactive, your organization can better navigate the evolving grants landscape and continue to secure the funding necessary for your important work.


✨Welcome to our new client, Upper Room KC!✨


🚀 Grant Readiness Guide: Strengthen Your Nonprofit’s Funding FOUNDATION

Securing funding is key to growing your impact, but funders expect strong planning, financial clarity, and measurable outcomes. Based on your quiz responses, our Grant Readiness Guide will help you identify key areas for improvement and take actionable steps toward success.

Get your Grant Readiness Guide


Be our next success story?

Spring into action and bloom with more time and impact!

Simply reply to this email with "SPRING FORWARD", and I’ll share how we can help your organization thrive with impactful grant strategies.
I’m excited to help you grow your mission—let’s make this season a turning point for your success!


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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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