Ask Nicole Archives - Nicole Clark Consulting

5 Feb, 2025

Ask Nicole: How Can I Make My Grant Application Stand Out to Funders?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2025-02-05T10:09:37-05:00February 5th, 2025|Categories: Strategic Planning & Sustainability|Tags: Ask Nicole, Funding, Grant Applications, program design, program evaluation|0 Comments

Have a question you’d like to be featured? Let me know.

Spring grant cycles are just around the corner, and if you’re a nonprofit leader, you know that competition for funding is fierce.

A rushed or incomplete application can cost you funding, while a well-prepared, data-backed proposal increases your chances of securing the resources you need.

In this month’s Ask Nicole, we’ll go over a simple but effective grant readiness checklist so you can confidently apply for spring funding.

Before you hit ‘submit’, make sure your organization is fully prepared.

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8 Jan, 2025

Ask Nicole: Aligning Program Goals With The School Year

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2025-01-07T17:26:16-05:00January 8th, 2025|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Academics, Ask Nicole, program design, School|0 Comments

Whether you’re running a K-12 after-school tutoring program or a college-level leadership initiative, aligning your goals with the academic calendar can be game changing.

The school year is full of built-in milestones—like holiday breaks, midterms, and the start of new semesters—that naturally shape your planning and communication. Depending on how the program is structured (whether it’s year round or semester based), you have enough flexibility to be in tune with your school’s schedule, making it easier to pivot when surprises pop up, without losing sight of what you set out to accomplish.

Here are some tips for adjusting your program goals to the school schedule, and how you can use the school year as a framework to stay on track to meet your program goals.

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3 Sep, 2024

Ask Nicole: Balancing Participant Feedback & Staff Capacity

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2024-12-23T14:42:45-05:00September 3rd, 2024|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, program design, program evaluation, staff capacity|0 Comments

Have a questions you’d like to be featured? Let me know.

In order to evaluate a program, I start by speaking to staff in charged of running the program.

This helps me understand why the program exists, the ideal participants, program goals, activities, outreach, etc. This helps to develop an evaluation process that’s appropriate to the program’s goals.

This process also helps in providing programmatic recommendations. Even though participant feedback is key to program improvements, so is understanding staff capacity to make these changes.

Navigating grantee-funder relationships while staying true to your mission is complex.

Similarly, it can be a balancing act when staff have to prioritize program participant feedback.

Here are five recommendations to help programmatic staff balance participant feedback with their capacity to implement changes:

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7 Aug, 2024

Ask Nicole: The Four Keys to Flexible Programs

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2024-08-07T12:51:39-04:00August 7th, 2024|Categories: Workshop, Program, & Curriculum Design|Tags: Ask Nicole, program design|0 Comments

In the ever-changing landscape of community needs, having a solid yet adaptable framework is crucial for organizations aiming to make a significant impact.

What is a framework?

A framework is a strategic guide that outlines clear goals, structured plans, and collaborative efforts while leaving room for flexibility. This helps organizations remain focused and organized, ensuring that all activities align with their mission.

More importantly, a well-designed framework supports organizations’ ability to quickly adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities, fostering resilience and sustained community engagement.

There are four keys to building flexible programs:

Assess community needs and resources
Design adaptable program structures
Build robust community partnerships
Monitor, evaluate, and adapt for improvement

Let’s start with the first key:

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3 Jul, 2024

Ask Nicole: Do We Need a MOU for Our Partnership?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2024-07-02T22:13:07-04:00July 3rd, 2024|Categories: Strategic Planning & Sustainability|Tags: Ask Nicole, Community Partnerships|0 Comments

As your organization builds partnerships with other organizations, engaging the right partners is crucial to facilitating a process that’s mutually beneficial.

The success of these partnerships hinges not just on the shared vision but also on the clarity and structures.

One of the most effective ways to establish this foundation is through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

An MOU is more than just a formal agreement—it’s a strategic tool that delineates roles, fosters accountability, and enhances communication among partners.

Here are seven reasons why incorporating an MOU into your community partnerships can make a significant difference in ensuring their success and sustainability.

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Ask Nicole: How Can I Make My Grant Application Stand Out to Funders?

Ask Nicole: Aligning Program Goals With The School Year

Ask Nicole: Balancing Participant Feedback & Staff Capacity

Ask Nicole: The Four Keys to Flexible Programs

Ask Nicole: Do We Need a MOU for Our Partnership?

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