HayDay Services

Anyone else still have their Fundraising HayDay / DH Leonard Consulting cord keepers from way back in Season 2? Our cohost Mandy Sims Day still carries her every time she travels.

A fun throwback from the Podcast Movement Conference waaaaay back in 2019. And here we are, smack dab in the middle of Season 9 of the Fundraising HayDay podcast. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Y’all, 2026 has been the WILD WILD WEST of grants. If you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind the curve. Nonprofits are taking a beating this year. And if you’re not speaking out, it’s only going to get worse.

You’ve got an impending grant deadline, and you need to start writing. But no one is returning your calls, and you still don’t know the details of the program or have a handle on what the budget entails. Without those details, you’re in a never-ending holding pattern.

What’s a grant professional to do when they can’t get the information they need to write a grant?

In today’s episode of the Fundraising HayDay Podcast, we’re sharing the ins and outs of working with colleagues, clients, and partners to get the information you need in a timely fashion. Because without these details, you’ll never craft a quality proposal.

Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the HayDay Services website.

Community focused work is more than just nonprofit work. We often focus on nonprofits on the Fundraising HayDay podcast, because that is where our work is aligned, but there are other types of organizations helping to change the world for the better.



Because our co-hosts were curious about what all is out there, we decided to take a dive into this world to share with our listeners, and learn something new ourselves. We’re talking about mutual aid societies, 501(c)4 organizations, Benefit Corporations, and more.


Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the HayDay Services website.

Grant writing training typically covers topics like grant readiness, prospect research, and the typical elements of the grant proposal. But what about building funder relationships? It’s often a vital step towards securing initial grant awards, building towards a bigger ask, and more.

On our latest podcast, we’re talking to Carolyn Caldwell, GPC, CFRE of Unlock-Grants about how to start the initial conversation, ask the right questions, and maintain the relationship over time. She’s got some great tips and tricks on how to get the job done.

Take a listen today: https://haydayservices.com/building-successful-funder-relationships/

It’s often a hot topic of discussion. Can grant professionals be paid a commission or percentage of the grant?



Quite frankly, no.



Not only is it against the Grant Professionals Association’s and Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics, but it’s not beneficial for the consultant or the client.



We’re sharing why that is, as well as giving insights into how to answer that question when a client asks, because if you are in this line of work long enough, you will get asked.


Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the HayDay Services website.

It’s often a hot topic of discussion. Can grant professionals be paid a commission or percentage of the grant?

Quite frankly, no.

Not only is it against the Grant Professionals Association’s and Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics, but it’s not beneficial for the consultant or the client.

We’re sharing why that is, as well as giving insights into how to answer that question when a client asks, because if you are in this line of work long enough, you will get asked.

Take a listen today: https://haydayservices.com/why-commission-based-fees-are-unethical-for-grant-writers/

Both Amanda and Kimberly started their careers as grant professionals embedded as employees within organizations. Kimberly took the nonprofit route, and Amanda worked in local government. The lessons learned over the first 15-20 years of their careers taught them what works and what doesn’t.



In today’s episode, we’re digging into the aspects of employment that help and/or hinder our work as grant professionals. Where you sit (literally and in the org chart), your seat (or lack of) at the leadership table, and your ability to gather a team all impact your grant program success.



We’re digging into it all, with some suggestions and ideas for creating a healthy and happy experience no matter the organization that has employed you.



Find this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the HayDay Services website.