FAQ for Grant Writing & Fundraising Services

What types of grants do you specialize in?

AmplifyDMC partners with nonprofits, social enterprises, and mission-driven organizations to secure a wide range of grants, including federal, state, and foundation funding. In Minnesota, we have extensive experience with state-level grants from departments like the Department of Health and the Department of Education, Minnesota Housing, as well as local government grants from Ramsey County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. 

How do you identify the right grant opportunities for my organization?

We do deep research based on your organization's mission, programs, and funding needs to find grants that align with both your goals and the funders’ priorities. We also work closely with you to assess whether your organization is prepared to meet the grant requirements and compliance obligations. To support this, we use a grant readiness framework during our discovery process to identify areas where your infrastructure could improve to successfully pursue and manage grants. 

What is your grant-writing process?

We begin with an initial meeting to understand your specific needs. From there, we conduct comprehensive research, draft a compelling narrative, prepare all required documents, and coordinate with you to submit the application. Project management is a key part of our grant writing approach, allowing us to bring in team members with specialized expertise or provide strategic reviews of your grant applications to increase their success. 

Do you provide post-grant submission support?

AmplifyDMC offers comprehensive post-submission support, which includes helping you respond to funder questions, managing follow-up communications, and supporting your grant reporting once funds are awarded. One of our key services is tracking grant reporting requirements, giving you the peace of mind that you are not missing report deadlines. We're also happy to attend site visits with potential funders, offering coaching and identifying areas for improvement to strengthen your future communication with funders—though our involvement is optional based on your preference.  

How do you charge for grant writing services?

We offer flexible pricing models for different monthly levels of service and retainer packages for more ad hoc grant writing support. Our minimum recommended grant writing contract is 6 months in length. We include both grant writing services and project management to ensure successful grant applications and clear calendar management of opportunities. Project management is vital to our success in that we can bring in other team members with special expertise or provide strategic review of grant applications.  

What is the success rate of your grant writing services?

Our success rate depends on factors such as the competitiveness of the grant opportunity and the strength of your organization’s proposal. We have a long track record of securing funding for our clients, including multimillion-dollar grants from federal, state, and local funders. The AmplifyDMC team is committed to using your resources effectively, and that starts with thorough prospect research. We discourage “chasing money” and don’t recommend pursuing grant opportunities unless we believe there is a strong chance of success, ensuring we focus on high-potential opportunities from the start. 

How long does it typically take to complete a grant application?

While we’ve drafted applications in as little as two days for long-time clients, our recommended timeline is 5–7 weeks (or longer for complex grants like federal applications). This timeframe allows us to thoroughly assess your current content and framing, identify any gaps, and review the application from a broader perspective to ensure it effectively answers the funder’s questions. The exact timeline depends on the complexity of the grant and the funder’s deadlines, but on average, developing and submitting a high-quality grant application takes about 4–6 weeks. 

What information do I need to provide to get started with grant writing?

We’ll need information about your organization's mission, programs, financials, and past grant history, as well as any specific project plans and budgets you are seeking funding for. 

Can you help if we’ve been rejected for a grant in the past?

Yes, we can review previous grant proposals, identify areas for improvement, and help you reapply with a stronger submission. 

Do you use AI?

Yes! We work to include AI and ChatGPT ethically and effectively in our grant writing and project management. From our point of view, if we can make our work more effective, we can have more time to support additional grant applications or other organizational needs you might have.  

What types of nonprofits do you work with?

We partner with a wide range of organizations, from grassroots nonprofits to large national groups, across various sectors. Interested in working with us? Let’s connect.

How do you tailor your grantwriting services to each organization?

At the beginning of our engagement, we invest time in getting to know your organization, its programs, and your specific needs. We also identify and prioritize any urgent grant opportunities so we can provide immediate support where it’s most needed. To do this effectively, we request access to key documents such as past grant applications. This helps us hit the ground running and ensures our work is informed by your organization’s history. 

Since our approach is "advise and do," we prefer to work on a real grant application during this phase, addressing your immediate submission needs. This aligns with our onboarding process, allowing us to meet urgent deadlines while gradually building a more strategic, long-term partnership. 

We take time to understand your organization’s unique preferences and values, so we can accurately reflect them in the grant narrative. This ensures your project is aligned with the funder’s priorities, making your application more compelling. Learn more about how we partner with nonprofits to strengthen their grant-seeking in this story about our work with Voyageurs Conservancy. 

How many grants do you typically write per month? 

The number of grants we can work on each month depends on the complexity of the applications, the level of content development required, and whether it's new content or based on a familiar program or project. In our standard 6-month contract at the minimum service level, we typically support an average of one submission per month, with up to two different types of funding requests or project focuses. 

How will you collaborate with our team?

We partner closely with your team, creating a supportive environment where we complement your strengths and offer our expertise where needed. We maintain regular communication and provide updates to ensure everyone is aligned and working toward common goals. Most of our team members have a background in nonprofit work, giving us a solid understanding of the various roles that contribute to successful grant applications. 

We also recognize the importance of managing your budget and organizational priorities. We’ll follow your lead on how you’d like us to interact with other team members, whether that means working directly with them or taking a more independent approach. 

What services does AmplifyDMC offer beyond grant writing?

We provide a range of services including fundraising strategy development, campaign implementation, project management, graphic design, board development, internal operations consulting, communications planning, social media strategy, branding, and more. Our goal is to support every aspect of your organization's growth and sustainability. 

Which sectors or types of organizations do you work with?

We work with a diverse range of nonprofits, social enterprises, educational institutions, and mission-driven organizations across various sectors such as healthcare, arts, social services, and environmental conservation.

Do you offer long-term partnerships or one-time consulting services?

We offer both short-term, project-based consulting and long-term partnerships to support sustained growth and success. 

Can you help with nonprofit branding and communications?

Yes, we provide branding, social media strategy, messaging, and public relations to enhance your organization’s visibility and engagement. 

Can you share success stories or case studies from past clients?

Absolutely! We have case studies and testimonials that highlight how we've helped organizations achieve their fundraising and operational goals.

How do you measure the success of your services?

We establish clear metrics and goals at the outset of each project. Success is measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as increased funding, improved operational efficiency, enhanced brand presence, and overall organizational growth. 

Do you offer training or workshops for our team?

Yes, we provide training sessions and workshops on fundraising strategies, grant writing, board development, effective communication, and more. These are designed to empower your team with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain growth for your organization. 

What ongoing support do you provide after the initial project is completed?

We offer continued support through follow-up consultations, periodic check-ins, and additional services as needed to ensure your organization remains on track and continues to thrive.

How do I get started with AmplifyDMC?

Simply get in touch through our Contact Page to schedule an initial meeting. We'll discuss your needs, explore how we can assist, and outline the next steps for collaboration. 

What information do I need to provide before our first meeting?

Providing an overview of your organization, your current challenges, goals, and any specific areas where you seek assistance will help us prepare for a productive initial meeting.

Where is AmplifyDMC located, and do you work with clients remotely?

While we are based in St. Paul, Minnesota, we offer remote consulting services to clients nationwide, ensuring that geographic location does not limit our ability to support your organization. 

Who are the key team members at AmplifyDMC?

Our team at AmplifyDMC—”the Ampsters”—is made up of experienced consultants with a wide range of expertise, including fundraising, project management, communications, and organizational development. You can learn more about each team member by visiting our Team page.

We are guided by our core values of Collaboration, Responsibility, Expertise, Flexibility, and Community, which shape our approach to working with clients and supporting their missions.

How do you ensure the confidentiality of our organization's information?

We prioritize the confidentiality and security of all client information. All data shared with us is handled with the utmost care and is protected through secure systems and strict internal policies.  

How do you handle conflicts of interests between your clients?

We prioritize integrity and transparency in our work. If we have multiple clients submitting grant applications to the same funder, we will always inform you. Our primary goal is to craft each grant application in a way that maximizes its chances of success and captures the funder’s interest. 

Additionally, if one of our clients identifies a unique prospect—one that is based on a specific relationship and not publicly available—we will not share that information with other clients. This ensures that your organization’s unique opportunities are protected.