Building Stronger Nonprofits Through Smarter Grant Strategies – Interview with Jorden Anderson

From securing more than $33 million in grant funding to helping nonprofits build sustainable fundraising systems, Jorden Anderson has dedicated her career to empowering mission-driven organizations to create lasting impact. In this interview, she shares how her background in social work and public administration shaped her strategic approach to grant funding, the biggest misconceptions about grants, and the practical advice every nonprofit leader should know before pursuing funding opportunities.

Jorden Anderson, President & Grant Writer

Who is Jorden Anderson?

At work, I'm a nonprofit grant strategist who helps mission-driven organizations secure funding and build the infrastructure needed for long-term success. At home, I'm a wife, mom, and full-time manager of what can only be described as a small zoo. My husband and I are raising our son, Jade, alongside four dogs, a bird, a bearded dragon, and a full fish tank. Between client meetings, grant deadlines, Nerf wars, elaborate imaginary adventures, passing out snacks, and constantly picking up toys that somehow multiply overnight, life is rarely boring.

At my core, I’ve always been passionate about helping people, which led me to Arizona State University, where I earned my bachelor's degree in social work before pursuing dual master's degrees in social work and public administration. Like many social work students, I originally imagined myself working directly with individuals and families. However, it didn't take long for me to realize that my brain was wired a little differently. While many of my classmates were drawn to counseling and direct practice, I found myself fascinated by the systems behind the services. I wanted to understand why some programs thrived while others struggled, where the money came from, who made the decisions, and why nobody seemed nearly as excited about Excel spreadsheets as I was. Looking back, it was probably the first sign that I was a Type A strategist disguised as a social worker.

That realization changed the trajectory of my career. Rather than serving one individual at a time, I realized I could help strengthen whole organizations that serve entire communities. I became fascinated by the role that funding, leadership, and organizational strategy play in creating lasting impact. Today, I have the privilege of partnering with nonprofits across the country to turn ambitious ideas into sustainable realities. I am also proud to hold the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential, the only nationally recognized certification for grant professionals. Since 2020, I've helped nonprofits nationwide secure more than $33 million in grant funding, but what motivates me most isn't the dollar amount. It's knowing those resources help nonprofits expand their reach, strengthen their services, and improve lives.

What inspired you to start Jorden Anderson Consulting (JAC), and how does it differ from other businesses in your industry?

JAC was born in one of the most uncertain moments in recent history. In March 2020, just days after I was sent home to work remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I were sitting on the couch watching the news and talking about what the months ahead might bring. I remember telling him that I believed the pandemic would ultimately result in a significant increase in grant funding. Governments, foundations, and corporations were going to invest heavily in addressing emerging needs, and I suspected many passionate people would also use that moment to launch nonprofits to serve their communities.

At the time, I was working as the sole grant writer for a large, multi-million-dollar nonprofit. While I loved the work, I couldn't stop thinking about the smaller organizations that didn't have access to the same resources. Many of them were doing incredible work on the ground with fewer staff, smaller budgets, and often a much deeper connection to the communities they served. The reality, however, is that great work alone doesn't secure grant funding. If an organization can't clearly communicate its impact, articulate its needs, and align its work with a funder's priorities, it will struggle to compete for funding, regardless of how deserving it may be.

That realization stuck with me, so with plenty of encouragement from my husband and perhaps a little nudging, I decided to use my skills to help level the playing field. What started as a way to support a few smaller nonprofits in my spare time quickly grew into something much bigger. Today, that mission remains at the heart of everything we do, helping organizations tell their stories, demonstrate their impact, and secure the resources they need to serve their communities and create lasting change.

How can clients benefit from your services, and what makes you the ideal partner for them?

Frankly, many nonprofit leaders know they are making a difference but struggle to communicate their impact effectively, identify the right funding opportunities, and build sustainable fundraising systems. That's where we come in.

One of the biggest misconceptions about grant writing is that success comes from hiring someone to write a few applications and hoping for the best. That's never been our approach. JAC isn't a fly-by-night grant-writing company that submits a proposal and disappears until the next deadline. We serve as an extension of our clients' teams. From prospect research and grant strategy to proposal development, reporting, compliance, and post-award management, we're there every step of the way. Our goal isn't simply to help organizations win grants. It's to help them build a sustainable grants program that continues generating results long after a single application is submitted.

My background in social work and public administration allows me to bring a perspective that extends far beyond grant writing. The theories, frameworks, and systems thinking approaches I learned in graduate school still influence how I work with clients today, from assessing community needs to measuring outcomes and demonstrating impact. I've also spent years working inside nonprofit organizations, which means I understand the realities nonprofit leaders face because I've lived them myself. That's truly what makes JAC different. We're not just here to write applications and disappear. We serve as an extension of our clients' teams, helping them identify opportunities, secure funding, manage awards, and build sustainable systems that will outlast any single grant award.

What common challenges do businesses face when applying for grants, and how do you help them navigate these obstacles?

One of the biggest misconceptions about grants is that success comes down to writing a strong application. In reality, grant writing is often the easiest part of the process. The real challenge is making sure an organization is prepared before the application is ever submitted. Many nonprofits struggle to identify the right funding opportunities, collect meaningful outcome data, clearly communicate their impact, or demonstrate the capacity to successfully manage a grant award. In fact, I've seen organizations spend countless hours chasing funding opportunities that were never a good fit in the first place.

That's why we focus on strategy before applications. Anyone can hire someone to fill out a form, and chasing every grant that comes along is exhausting and rarely effective. Instead, we help clients get clear on where they're going, what funding opportunities truly align with their mission, and how to demonstrate their impact in a way that resonates with funders. So, by the time we're writing a proposal, we're not scrambling to answer questions. We're telling a well-supported story. That approach ultimately leads to stronger applications and helps organizations become more competitive, sustainable, and confident in their fundraising efforts overall.

Can you share a success story that illustrates the impact your services have had on a client?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is seeing organizations expand their impact because they finally have the resources they need to grow.

Recently, I worked with an organization that had a strong mission, a passionate leadership team, and a proven track record of success, but it lacked the funding infrastructure necessary to scale its programs. Through strategic prospect research, grant development, and long-term planning, we helped secure significant funding that allowed the organization to expand services, reach more individuals, and strengthen its overall sustainability.

While the funding itself was important, what mattered most was the outcome. More people received services, the organization increased its capacity, and the leadership team was able to focus more on mission delivery and less on financial uncertainty. Those are the results that truly inspire me.

What advice would you give to someone considering a grant application for the first time?

• Stop looking for money and start looking for alignment. One of the biggest mistakes first-time applicants make is chasing every grant they can find. The most successful organizations are selective. Focus on funders whose priorities, geography, and values genuinely align with your work. A well-matched opportunity is worth far more than ten long-shot applications.

  
  

• Remember that funders invest in outcomes, not activities. Many organizations spend too much time describing what they do and not enough time explaining what changes because of their work. Funders want to know who is better off as a result of their investment, so be prepared to clearly articulate your impact and, whenever possible, back it up with data.

  
  

• Plan ahead, way ahead. Grant funding is not a quick fix. Organizations often assume they can submit an application today and solve a budget problem next month. In reality, many funders take three to four months or longer to make decisions and distribute funding. If you need money tomorrow, grants are probably not the answer. The strongest grant seekers are planning for next year while they're still implementing this year's programs.

  
  

• Get comfortable with hearing "no." Even the most experienced grant professionals and highest-performing nonprofits receive far more rejections than awards. However, a denial doesn't automatically mean your organization isn't worthy or your proposal wasn't strong. Sometimes there are simply more qualified applicants than available funding. Learn what you can, adjust your approach when necessary, and keep moving forward. Persistence is one of the most underrated skills in grant fundraising!

How do you stay up to date with the latest trends and changes in the grant industry?

Continuous learning is essential in this field because philanthropy is constantly evolving. New funding priorities emerge, economic conditions shift, and funders regularly refine how and where they invest their resources. If you're not staying informed, you're falling behind!

One of the ways I stay current is by maintaining my Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential, which is the only nationally recognized certification for grant professionals. Fewer than 1,000 individuals nationwide currently hold the credential, which requires demonstrated experience, ongoing professional development, and adherence to a strict code of ethics. I also actively participate in the Grant Professionals Association and stay connected to an incredible network of grant professionals, nonprofit leaders, and funders across the country on LinkedIn. Through conferences, webinars, philanthropic research, foundation reports, industry publications, and conversations with colleagues, I’m constantly learning and exchanging ideas about emerging trends and best practices.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about grants that you wish more people understood?

There are two misconceptions I encounter almost every day. The first is that grants are "free money." They aren't. Grants are investments. Funders are entrusting organizations with their resources because they believe those organizations can create meaningful change in their communities. Just like any investor, they want to see strong leadership, measurable outcomes, financial responsibility, and a clear plan for success. Organizations that view grants as free money often underestimate the level of accountability and stewardship that comes with receiving funding.

The second misconception is that a talented grant writer can secure funding for any organization. I wish that were true. It would certainly make my job easier! The reality is that successful grant seeking depends on much more than writing. Strong programs, organizational readiness, meaningful data, financial stability, and alignment with the funder's priorities all play a significant role. A grant writer can help tell an organization's story, but they can't create impact where it doesn't exist. Great grant writing amplifies strong organizations. It doesn't replace the hard work required to build one.

How do you ensure that each client receives personalized, effective solutions tailored to their specific needs?

One of the quickest ways to fail in grant fundraising is to assume that every organization needs the same strategy. A startup nonprofit with no grant history has very different needs from a multi-million-dollar organization with an established development department. Their missions, capacity, funding goals, leadership structures, and community needs are all different, so their fundraising strategies should be too.

That's why we spend a significant amount of time listening before making recommendations. We want to understand not only what an organization does, but why it exists, where it wants to go, and what obstacles stand in the way. My background in social work taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, and I apply that same philosophy to every client relationship. Rather than forcing organizations into a one-size-fits-all model, we develop customized strategies that align with their strengths, capacity, and long-term vision. The result is a partnership that feels less like hiring a grant writer and more like gaining an experienced member of your team.

What are the key elements that make a grant application stand out, and how do you help clients achieve that?

The strongest grant applications typically have four things in common:

1. A clearly defined need that demonstrates a genuine community problem using both data and real-world context.

2. Strong alignment with the funder, connecting the organization's work directly to the funder's priorities, goals, and areas of interest.

3. Measurable outputs and outcomes that clearly explain what success looks like and how it will be measured.

4. A track record of credibility that demonstrates the organization has the leadership, experience, partnerships, and capacity needed to successfully deliver the proposed work.

The best proposals combine those elements with compelling storytelling. Data establishes credibility, but storytelling helps funders understand why the work matters and what impact their investment will have. My role is to help clients bring all of those pieces together by strengthening their data, refining their messaging, and telling authentic stories that resonate with funders. When done well, a grant application does not feel like a sales pitch. It feels like an obvious investment.

What steps do you take to ensure long-term success and sustainability for your clients beyond just securing a grant?

One of the things I tell clients early in our relationship is that winning a grant is not the finish line. In many ways, it's actually the starting line. A grant award can provide critical resources, but long-term sustainability comes from building the systems, processes, and relationships needed to secure funding consistently over time.

That's why we focus on much more than proposal writing. We help clients build grant pipelines, identify long-term funding prospects, strengthen data collection and evaluation practices, develop grant management systems, and cultivate meaningful relationships with funders. We also help organizations think strategically about revenue diversification because no nonprofit should rely on a single funding source, especially grants! Ultimately, our goal is to leave clients stronger than we found them. If an organization becomes more strategic, competitive, and confident in its fundraising efforts because of our partnership, then I believe we've done our job well.

How can potential clients get started with you, and what should they expect from the process?

I always encourage prospective clients to visit our website and spend some time exploring our blog. You'll get a good sense of who we are, how we work, and whether our approach aligns with what your organization is looking for. If it does, the next step is to submit a new client inquiry and schedule a free 45-minute discovery call.

I genuinely love discovery calls because they give me the opportunity to learn about your mission, your goals, and the challenges keeping you up at night. We'll talk about where your organization is today, where you'd like it to be in the future, and whether JAC is the right partner to help you get there. I believe the best partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and honest conversations, so you'll never get a sales pitch from me. You'll get real feedback, practical advice, and a clear understanding of what working together would look like. If we're a good fit, fantastic. If we're not, I'll do my best to point you in the right direction!

Visit my website for more info!

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