Fundraising HayDay

December Book Club – A Sneak Peak

NOTE: This month, we’re sharing our book club episode with all our listeners – the free podcast community and our patreon subscribers. If you’re not a member of our patreon, we hope you enjoy this glimpse behind the curtain. This is a great example of our monthly book club, where we read and discuss an eclectic collection of storytelling – from nonfiction and fiction of multiple genres written by authors of a variety of backgrounds. Starting in 2026, we’ll even have a live book club once a month for subscribers, so you can be in on the conversation. We hope you’ll consider joining as a paid member of the patreon community so you can enjoy all our bonus content, access the comments and community, and support our work on Fundraising HayDay.   In our December book club, we read “Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be” by Marissa R. Moss. It follows three artists (Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton) as they work to break into traditional country music but find ways to work around the systems meant to keep them out. This behind-the-scenes story shows the good, the bad, and the ugly side of country music radio and the engine that keeps women limited to 10% of its airtime. Thanks for listening to our book club!   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/FundraisingHayDay]   SHOW NOTES: “Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be” [https://www.amazon.com/Her-Country-Became-Success-Supposed/dp/1250793599] By: Marissa R. Moss [https://www.marissarmoss.com/about]

Top Ten Things That Helped Us Survive 2025

Between DOGE taking over grants.gov, a freeze on federal grant funding, executive orders attacking nonprofits and the grants profession, and a government shut down, 2025 has not been the best of years. But grant professionals, like any true professional, must carry on for the good of their organizations, clients, and communities served. How’d we do it? Our cohosts are sharing their top 10 things that helped them survive the year.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/FundraisingHayDay]   SHOW NOTES: Trusted sources referenced under Item #1: National Council of Nonprofits [https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/] Rachel Werner, GPC, PMP [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabwerner/]   Social media book influencer referenced under Item #4 jordys.book.club [https://www.instagram.com/jordys.book.club/]   Our weekly newsletter referenced under Item #6 HayDay HotTakes – Register for free today! [https://haydayservices.com/#newsletter-subscribe]   Link to Kimberly’s Spotify playlist referenced under Item #9 Funky Dance Party [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6y8SxWSPyq2bIV9FanxkAz?si=d8fe8c37141847b4]

Unscripted Rant-o-Rama

Sometimes a good rant is cathartic. In 2025, whatever you can do to get thoughts and feelings out in meaningful (and unharmful) ways, we say go for it! And we’re putting that into practice in this episode. From consulting training that promises the moon to sticking your head in the sand in the hopes that things will get better eventually, we’re talking about all the things on our minds.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/FundraisingHayDay]

Ripped from the Headlines: Federal Funding Scandals Across the Country

Nonprofits and grant funding programs exist for public good. But sadly, not all individuals and agencies tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding grant funds follow the rules. Ripped straight from the headlines, from college professors and nonprofit leaders to state governments and retired NFL quarterbacks, we learn that no one is above the law.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/FundraisingHayDay]   SHOW NOTES:   To learn more about today’s stories, read the following articles: CUNY Scientist Accused of Fabricating Data U.S. levels fraud indictment at CUNY scientist who helped Alzheimer’s drug developer | Science | AAAS [https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-levels-fraud-indictment-cuny-scientist-who-helped-alzheimer-s-drug-developer]   Office of Public Affairs | Professor Charged for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Grant Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice [https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/professor-charged-operating-multimillion-dollar-grant-fraud-scheme]   Co-developer of Cassava’s potential Alzheimer’s drug cited for ‘egregious misconduct’ | Science | AAAS [https://www.science.org/content/article/co-developer-cassava-s-potential-alzheimer-s-drug-cited-egregious-misconduct]   Minnesota Nonprofit Employees Convicted for Misuse of Funds 5 of 7 defendants convicted of misusing Covid relief money meant to feed children [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/5-7-defendants-convicted-misusing-covid-relief-money-meant-feed-childr-rcna155603]   Minnesota man gets 28 years for pandemic-era food fraud [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/minnesota-man-gets-28-years-for-pandemic-era-food-fraud/ar-AA1K2Cqe?ocid=BingNewsSerp]   Former NFL QB and State of Mississippi Welfare Scandal Brett Favre scandal explained: Ex-NFL QB accused of misusing Mississippi state welfare funds - CBS Sports [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/brett-favre-scandal-explained-ex-nfl-qb-is-accused-of-misusing-of-mississippi-state-welfare-funds/]   Brett Favre and the Mississippi Welfare Scandal: Inside the Shocking Fraud Case [https://people.com/how-was-brett-favre-involved-in-welfare-scandal-11737440]

Advocating for Change: How Nonprofits and Grant Pros Can Push for Better Practices

Many in the grant community have been calling for reform for years. We’re frustrated by inefficient processes, inequitable practices, and systems that waste time and money. But there are organizations in place to help make grant making more just and accessible. Many are highlighted here.   JOIN THE FUNDRAISING HAYDAY COMMUNITY: Become a member of the Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/FundraisingHayDay]   SHOW NOTES: More Than Grant Writers [https://morethangrantwriters.org/]   Crappy Funding Practices [https://www.linkedin.com/company/crappy-funding-practices/posts/?feedView=all]   Grant Advisor [https://grantadvisor.org/]   #FixTheForm [https://blog.grantadvisor.org/reformer-community/]   National Council of Nonprofits [https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/trends-and-policy-issues]