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Grant Readiness and Insights Training

Two women sitting on counter-height stools, discussing a project outline on a large wall-sized whiteboard.

The nonprofit sector is vital to delivering human services and is essential to our city’s economy. Robin Hood’s Grant Readiness and Insights Training initiative (GRIT) is an invite-only program designed for visionary leaders of NYC poverty-fighting nonprofits not currently funded by Robin Hood.

Launched with Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2016 and with ongoing underwriting, GRIT provides training and capacity-building support to help organizations improve operational effectiveness, build financial sustainability, and grow their impact, ultimately strengthening New York’s poverty-fighting ecosystem. GRIT offers selected participants the following targeted support:

  • Educational Sessions: In-person educational sessions focused on program design, learning and measurement, program costs and budgeting, and individual/ foundation fundraising.
  • Enhanced capacity building support: Capacity-building grant opportunity focused on strengthening their program model, theory of change, or learning and measurement tools.​
  • New communications coaching: A dedicated communications coach to help refine verbal pitches for foundation and individual donor outreach.​
  • Direct proposal feedback: Real-time, one-on-one, proposal feedback from Robin Hood program officers, providing an insider perspective on what funders look for.​
  • Expanded ongoing resources: Access to our Management Acceleration Hub—a comprehensive resource center featuring tools, templates, and ongoing webinars that extend support well beyond the seven-month program.
  • Strengthened peer learning: New informal networking opportunities before each session create additional space for peer exchange and collaborative problem-solving.
  • AI Curriculum elements: Tips and learnings for incorporating AI into relevant GRIT topics, including fundraising, learning, and measurement.

Qualification Criteria​

  • Primary mission aligned with Robin Hood’s poverty-fighting portfolio ​
  • NYC-based and serving NYC residents ​
  • Organization has been fully operational for approximately five years, and budget is approximately $1M – $10M ​
  • More than four full-time employees on staff ​
  • Not a current or former Robin Hood grantee (COVID-19 relief fund recipients are eligible) ​
  • Have an Executive Director who has been with the organization for at least one year and is committed to attending all six GRIT workshops

Note: Participation in GRIT does not guarantee Robin Hood funding.

GRIT is invite only. Click here to submit an expression of interest

Our Impact

90

%

Of GRIT alumni survey respondents successfully received new corporate and/or philanthropic support and/or increased board engagement

25

%

Of GRIT groups successfully addressed a real estate challenge including renegotiating a lease, finding a broker and implementing a relocation or expansion and developing a building renovation budget to launch a capital campaign

67

%

Of GRIT groups made changes to fiscal presentations or protocols including refining overhead rates, adjusting revenue allocations, retaining new auditors or adding fiscal staff

Learn more about our grantees