Spring tends to push nonprofits into growth mode. New programs, new partnerships, new funding targets. Everything starts to feel like it should be expanding. But growth is not always the right place to focus, especially for organizations that rely heavily on state or federal funding. Sometimes the more important question is not how to grow, but what you are actually rooted in.

Every nonprofit has stories. Successes, setbacks, unfinished efforts, and moments of real connection. Sharing those stories helps people understand the work on a deeper level and see how they can be part of sustaining it.

Capacity building grants are one of the few funding categories that allow nonprofits to invest in the systems that actually support the work. This piece highlights three upcoming 2026 grants in New York and New England that can fund technology like equipment, webinar tools, and a real CRM when framed clearly and strategically. It is a practical look at how capacity funding can be used to strengthen operations without diluting mission or focus.

At this point in the year, experienced leaders are not asking how to raise more money. They are asking how to reduce exposure, smooth volatility, and align fundraising behavior with organizational reality. The organizations that feel steady by summer are rarely the ones with the strongest December. They are the ones that use January to make a small set of disciplined, structural decisions while there is still room to maneuver.

September marks a turning point for grassroots nonprofits. The summer slowdown is behind us, and the push toward year-end giving is right ahead. This makes fall the perfect season to spark fresh momentum with your supporters. You do not need a major campaign to make progress right now. What matters is creating small, intentional opportunities that bring people closer to your mission and give them a reason to give.

For frontline nonprofits and grassroots collectives, fall is a strategic season to secure environmental funding. Many funders align their grant cycles with year-end budgeting and planning, making September through November 2025 an essential window for justice-oriented organizations to pitch bold ideas and lock in resources for the year ahead.

Harvey & Smith Impact is accepting letters of interest for our Fall 2025 Development & Strategy Fellowship. This is a part-time, paid opportunity for three individuals who want to learn how small, justice-focused nonprofits stay organized and raise the money they need to do their work.

Most people are not afraid to ask for help. They are afraid of hearing no. In fundraising, that fear is often disguised as relationship-building, timing, or due diligence. But beneath the surface, the hesitation is psychological. It is shaped by avoidance, perfectionism, and discomfort with rejection.

When war dominates the headlines, many nonprofit leaders hesitate to fundraise. But for organizations challenging systemic violence, asking for support is not a distraction. It is part of the work. This post offers clear guidance for how to keep fundraising with integrity, even in a time of grief, urgency, and political uncertainty.

Raoul Peck’s Silver Dollar Road is a powerful resource for grassroots leaders. The film follows a family’s fight to protect their ancestral land, raising urgent questions about legal literacy, land justice, and community resilience. This post offers key takeaways for nonprofit teams looking to turn the film into action, strategy, and deeper impact.

If your nonprofit is BIPOC-led or serves Black, Brown, low-income, LGBTQ+, or gender-oppressed communities, these three grants are worth your attention. Each one is open on a rolling basis. The application processes are straightforward, but funds are limited and awarded quickly. If your work fits, consider applying while support is still available.

Harvey & Smith Impact founder Larry Blake Harvey reflects on the hidden roots of burnout and the cost of staying in misaligned spaces. In this personal piece, Larry shares what it’s taken to realign his work with care, clarity, and mutual respect—especially in spaces that say the right things but act otherwise. If you’ve ever been celebrated for your commitment yet sidelined in decision-making, this one’s for you. It’s a call to honor your own boundaries, even when the mission looks good on paper.