Many nonprofits believe funding comes first. In reality, grants come after clarity. Funders want to see: • a clear mission • a defined program • a realistic plan for using funds • basic structure and accountability If any of those pieces are missing, even strong missions struggle to get traction. If you’re early in the process, that’s okay. If you’ve applied before and felt stuck, that’s information, not failure. The smartest move is preparation, not pressure. Use this space to ask questions, get clear, and build readiness the right way. Strong foundations lead to stronger funding opportunities. You’re in the right room.

Here are some opportunities for Focus Fairies 1)Chicago Foundation for Women – Community Grants - Funder: Chicago Foundation for Women - Award Size: ~$10,000–$25,000 - Deadline: Annual (typically late winter/early spring) - Geographic Eligibility: Chicago-area nonprofits - Key Requirements: Advancing gender equity and leadership for women and girls - Why Fit: Your focus on Black & Brown girls’ leadership and empowerment aligns with CFW’s mission. - Fit: 5/5 | Effort: 3/5 - Link: https://www.chicagowomenshealth.org/grants/ 2) Chicago Community Trust – Youth & Family Initiatives - Funder: The Chicago Community Trust - Award Size: ~$25,000–$50,000 - Deadline: Annual (varies by initiative) - Geographic Eligibility: Chicago region - Key Requirements: Nonprofit with impactful community programs - Why Fit: Funding youth empowerment, violence prevention, community resilience — directly complements your trauma-informed mentoring. - Fit: 5/5 | Effort: 4/5 - Link: https://cct.org/our-work/ if You want to be on the next list, please comment below with your Website or the name of your organization, mission, location, and a little bit about your program.

Those who want to be included in the grant opportunities, please send me the following information: • the program you run • the demographic you serve • your city and state Thank you!

Starting a nonprofit can feel overwhelming. There’s paperwork, expectations, funding pressure, and a lot of opinions about what you “should” be doing already. Here’s the truth: You are not behind. You are building. Most successful nonprofits did not start with grants, big budgets, or perfect systems. They started with clarity, consistency, and a willingness to learn step by step. If you’re early in the journey: - It’s okay to still be figuring things out - It’s okay if you’re not grant-ready yet - It’s okay to focus on foundation before funding Strong nonprofits are built, not rushed. Take your time to get clear on your mission, your programs, and your structure. Funding comes easier when the foundation is solid. You’re doing meaningful work. Keep going.

Most grant rejections don’t happen because the idea is bad.They happen because the nonprofit wasn’t ready. Before funders look at passion, they look for clarity: - Can you clearly explain what problem you solve? - Do you have at least one defined program, not just activities? - Can you explain how funds will be used? - Do you have basic structure and organization? If any of those are unclear, the application usually stops there. Here’s a quick self-check: 1. Can I explain our mission in one short paragraph? 2. Can I describe our program and outcomes simply? 3. Do I know why this funder fits us? If the answer is “not yet,” that’s not failure. That’s direction. Grants reward preparation more than Urgency. Build readiness first, Applications come next. 👇 If you want, comment READY and I’ll share what funders look for before the application stage.