Inside the Grantmaker’s Mind, a discussion with local grantmakers, was held recently as part of The Montclair Foundation’s Nonprofit Roundtable educational series. Five panelists offered insights into how funders think, what they prioritize, and how nonprofit organizations can build stronger, more effective relationships.
Click here to view a recording of the conversation.
The panel was moderated by Kathy Smith, Program Director of Partners for Health Foundation (pictured third from left), and coordinated by Anita Peterson, Chief Development Officer, The Montclair Foundation/Van Vleck House & Gardens (second from right). Panel members included (from left): Evan Delgado, President, Turrell Fund; Kelley Holland, Co-Chair Impact 100 Essex; Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, Schumann Fund for New Jersey; Michael Schmidt, Executive Director, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey; and Stephanie Greenwood, Senior Program Officer, Victoria Foundation.
In her opening remarks, Kathy Smith acknowledged, “These are unprecedented times and it’s not business as usual. Gatherings like this are meant to provide information the nonprofit community can act on, and to give us a sense of solidarity … to remind us we are in this together.”
Panelists shared insights on what makes a grant application stand out, the key strengths of a successful application, and what kind of data or storytelling helps funders understand a nonprofit’s resilience and long-term viability. The conversation also included strategies and action steps that organizations may take to mitigate the loss of federal and state funding, such as policy change and advocacy.
More than 175 nonprofit leaders attended this program which was held at Bnai Keshet in Montclair. The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey provided support for this discussion, and the Turrell Fund underwrites year-long Nonprofit Roundtable programming.