I usually love the start of a new year. I’m normally energized, motivated, ready to set goals, and hit the ground running.

I’ve always been the kind of person who runs 100 miles a minute. In college, that looked like taking a full class load, pursuing a double major, working full time, volunteering, and still saying yes to basically everything. 

We live in a microwave culture. Push a button, get results. But grant writing? It’s not instant mashed potatoes. You can’t just add hot water, stir, and expect a million-dollar award to appear. The reality is that successful grants take groundwork. Funders want to see that you’re prepared, organized, and serious about the work you do. That means having strong financial systems, clean data, clear program descriptions, and leadership that can articulate your mission without sou