Advertise on podcast: Grant Writing Made Clear with Dr. Trenette

A site visit is an encouraging sign that your proposal has captured a funder’s attention, but it is not a formality. It is a meaningful part of the funder’s decision making process and an opportunity to demonstrate that your project is well designed, feasible, and ready for investment. In this episode, Dr. Trenette explains how site visits fit within the grant funding process, from the letter of intent to the full proposal and beyond. She shares practical guidance for preparing a clear, compelling presentation; aligning your team; anticipating funder questions; and communicating your project’s significance, implementation plan, budget, and sustainability with confidence. What You Will Learn: • How letters of intent, full proposals, and site visits fit together in the funding process • How to clearly communicate your project’s significance, approach, feasibility, and expected outcomes • How to prepare team members so that everyone presents a cohesive and consistent message • How to anticipate and respond thoughtfully to common funder questions • How to discuss your budget, organizational readiness, and sustainability plan with clarity and confidence Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In part two of Dr. Trenette’s conversation with her mentor and friend, Dr. Faye Z. Belgrave, they talk honestly about the part of grant writing that every scholar and nonprofit leader eventually encounters: rejection. Dr. Belgrave reminds listeners that not receiving a grant does not define your worth, your intelligence, or the value of your work. She encourages everyone to stay connected to the purpose behind the proposal: advancing knowledge, serving communities, improving outcomes, and using funding as a tool for meaningful impact. Dr. Belgrave and Dr. Trenette also discuss how to use summer well. They suggested their own ways of using summer to include as a time for restoration, family, joy, and focused writing. They talk about writing retreats, conceptualizing grant ideas, developing outlines, and creating enough structure to make progress without sacrificing your life. In This Episode You will learn: Why grant rejection is normal, even for successful grant writersHow to avoid taking funding decisions personallyWhy your motivation matters when writing grant proposalsHow to reuse and strengthen ideas after a proposal is not fundedWhy you do not always have to be the principal investigator on grantsHow summer can support both rest and writing momentumWhy focused planning time can make later micro writing sessions easierKey Takeaway A grant rejection is not the end of the idea. Sometimes it is an invitation to revise and resubmit, realign, find a better funder, or return to the purpose of the work. June Workshop If you have ever spent too much time chasing grants that were not a strong fit or felt unsure about where to look next after a rejection, the Find Funding Faster Workshop can help. In this 90-minute live workshop on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Dr. Trenette teaches a focused grant search process that can help you stop guessing, build a short list of aligned funders, and create a clearer path toward sustainable funding. The workshop is designed to help busy people use a process that takes 15 minutes per week, not 15 hours.  Save your seat here: https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/fundingsearchworkshop Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette is joined by her mentor and friend, Dr. Faye Z. Belgrave, a recently retired university vice president, psychology professor, and community engaged researcher who has a history of federal, foundation, and corporate grant funding. Dr. Belgrave reflects on her career and how grants helped her support graduate students, junior faculty, community partners, and meaningful community-based research. She also shares the core elements of a strong proposal, including a clearly demonstrated need, measurable impact, sustainability, strong methods, and alignment with the funder. This conversation is also personal. Dr. Trenette shares how she first met Dr. Belgrave as a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University and how that mentoring relationship helped shape her own career in community engaged research. In This Episode You will learn: Why grants can support much more than a project budgetHow funding can create opportunities for students, faculty, and community partnersWhy every strong proposal must begin with a real and documented needHow to explain impact in ways that resonate with fundersWhy sustainability mattersHow expectations differ across federal, foundation, and corporate fundersWhy assessing funder fit before writing can save time, energy, and disappointmentJune Workshop If this episode helped you realize that finding the right funder is one of the most important parts of grant writing, join Dr. Trenette for the Find Funding Faster Workshop on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST. This live, interactive workshop is designed for nonprofit leaders, early career professors, researchers, and graduate students who want a clear, repeatable funding search process without scrambling or guesswork. Participants will learn how to identify aligned funding opportunities, build a starter funder list, and decide which opportunities are worth pursuing now, later, or not at all. Save your seat here: https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/fundingsearchworkshop Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode, Dr. Trenette reminds us that the strength of a lab (or center, institute, nonprofit organization, and any other entity) is not only measured by impact, grant dollars, publications, titles, or prestige. Funding cycles shift and papers may be rejected, but the people in the lab are what make the work meaningful, sustainable, and strong. This episode invites us to think differently about leadership, grant writing, and team building. Funders are not only investing in projects. They are investing in people who can carry out the work with care, excellence, and integrity. A strong lab is built through mentorship, trust, professional development, recognition, and shared vision. In This Episode, We Cover: Why the strength of your lab is the strength of your peopleWhy grant size and publication numbers do not tell the whole storyHow funders evaluate the capacity of a teamWhy people are the carriers of vision in a lab, project, or organizationHow shared vision helps people move from task completion to true ownershipHow mentorship helps people grow in skill, confidence, and leadershipWhy psychological safety matters for trust, creativity, and problem solvingHow professional development strengthens the whole teamWhy recognition should happen both publicly and privatelyWhy a strong lab should be measured by how people are growing, contributing, and trusting one anotherSimple Homework from the Episode: Reach out to one person in your lab, team, or organization this week and encourage them. Let them know you see their contribution. Ask yourself whether your team feels valued, supported, and trusted. Identify one small way you can invest in someone’s growth this week. Reflect on whether you are developing people, not just assigning tasks. Community Invitation: Join our private Grant Writing Made Clear Facebook community for connection, practical resources, and steady support. Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!   Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

We often want to run before we have mastered walking. In this episode, Dr. Trenette takes us to the sidelines of her children’s athletic training center to share a powerful lesson on the importance of the fundamentals. While many trainers on the center’s staff focus on high-speed drills, it is the Olympian who insists on a "slow pace," focusing on the techniques that build an elite foundation. Whether you are an academic researcher or a non-profit leader, this episode challenges you to look at your own technique. Are you rushing to the finish line and making errors along the way? Join Dr. Trenette as she breaks down why mastering the basics is actually your greatest competitive advantage. Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares five practical strategies for staying productive with grant writing during busy seasons. If you are balancing teaching, research, service, grant writing, fundraising, caregiving, or other major responsibilities, this episode will help you stay focused and productive. You will learn how to protect your energy, prioritize what matters most, and make meaningful progress even when your time and capacity are limited. What You Will Learn: When and how to use strategic delegationhow time blocking can help you make progresshow the Eisenhower Matrix can help you separate what is urgent from what simply feels urgentwhy doing the hardest task first can build momentum for the rest of your dayhow to use boundaries to stay productive in demanding seasonshow energy budling can lead to more fun and productivityResources Mentioned: Atomic Habits by James ClearEat That Frog! by Brian TracyGrab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode of Grant Writing Made Clear, Dr. Trenette tackles the emotional and practical reality of the final stretch before you hit submit. The last mile is where grant writing shifts to more precision, where anxiety can get louder, energy can get lower, and perfectionism may try to drive the car. This episode offers practical strategies that help you submit a proposal that is clear, compliant, and compelling. 3 Key takeaways · The last mile feels hard because the work shifts from creating to inspecting · You can submit while nervous, tired, or over it. Feelings are passengers, not the driver · Small bursts of focused work beat waiting for inspiration   The seven last mile strategies mentioned 1. Define done like a scientist 2. Make a checklist that is extremely specific 3. Use the 15-minute sprint 4. Separate writing brain from review brain 5. Name the fear and give it a job 6. Build a micro self-care routine  7. Get a second set of eyes with clear boundaries and deadlines Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Leading a grant is not only about writing a strong grant application. It is about implementation, compliance, budgeting, reporting, and leading people through the full life cycle of the project. In this episode, Dr. Trenette walks you through a practical readiness check so you can assess whether you are ready to serve as the lead on a grant, and what to strengthen if you are not there yet. In this episode, we cover: Why implementation can be harder than grant writingThe difference between being a leader and being a manager, and why you need bothMission clarity as a prerequisite for leading wellInfrastructure that protects your project, including financial systems and staffingWhy budget pacing and compliance matter even when nobody praises themThe best way to learn leadership, which includes serving in a supporting role firstA simple checklist to help you decide your next right step  Connect with us: Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBd1aCj7r/   Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode, Dr. Trenette invites us to set 2026 goals differently. Instead of rushing into a “new year, go harder” mindset, we pause to reflect on what truly drained our energy in 2025 so we do not carry the same stress into a new calendar. This episode blends practical planning steps with encouragement that reminds us that our most important goals are not only about what we produce, but who we become while we are producing. In This Episode, We Cover Why a new year does not automatically create new alignmentHow to reflect on 2025 without shame but with clarity and hopeThree questions to identify what drained your energy, focus, and confidenceHow to do to clear mental clutter and recognize patternsWhy choosing one aligned goal can create more momentum than setting ten goalsHow to turn that goal into strategies plus a tiny habit you can keep on rough weeksHow to create a reset plan so one hard week does not become a lost seasonThe Travis Greene lesson: touchdowns versus first downsSimple Homework from the Episode Identify what drained you in 2025 and name the deeper patternDo a mind sweep and circle the items connected to those patternsWrite ten goals and choose the most aligned goalSelect one tiny habit you can keep consistentlyWrite a reset plan for when life interrupts your planListen to the Episode Add your links here as you prefer: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingMadeClearApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grant-writing-made-clear-with-dr-trenette/id1782782317Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aTrG8cA70dk37zb9a1s0rCommunity Invitation Join our private Facebook community for connection, practical resources, and steady support:  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBd1aCj7r/ Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear just passed a major milestone, one year on the air. In this anniversary episode, Dr. Trenette reflects on what this community has built and shares three practical moves from Season 1 that you can apply immediately to strengthen your grant writing practices. This episode is part celebration, part gratitude, and part reset for the year ahead. In this episode, you will hear Listener highlights from around the world and where the community is tuning in fromThe most listened to episodes from Season 1 and a replay recommendationThe most saved resource so far and where to find itThree Season 1 moves you can apply this weekA one minute challenge to help you take your next small step before FridayEpisode highlights Top episodes in Season 1 Episode 3: Grant Writing BasicsEpisode 4: Pros and Cons of GrantsEpisodes 1 and 2: Introduction to the podcastEpisode 9: Part 1 of the conversation with Dr. Rachel GoodeTop summer replay episode Grant Writing Trends for 2025Where listeners are tuning in Continents: 85% North America, 4% Africa, 4% Europe, 3% Asia, 1% AustraliaCountries include the US and Canada, followed by Germany, Rwanda, Nigeria, the UK, Zambia, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Indonesia, Belgium, Italy, Lesotho, Czechia, Guatemala, Russian Federation, Turkey, Sweden, Norway, Taiwan, Malawi, Vietnam, Tanzania, Portugal, Colombia, Japan, Kenya, Bangladesh, Poland, New Zealand, and many moreTop cities: Atlanta (1), Chicago, (2) Houston (3), Seattle (4), Denver(5), Raleigh (6), Glendale CA (7), Charlotte (8), Kigali (9), and Philadelphia (10)Top listening platforms: Apple Podcasts (64%), Spotify (18%), Overcast (7%)Three moves from Season 1 you can apply right now Move 1: Consistency over intensity Schedule two writing blocks each week. Put them on your calendar and protect them like meetings. Move 2: Relationship first Healthy relationships are important. Check in with team members and collaborators, clarify roles early, and practice gratitude often. Move 3: Fit before prose Before you write, assess fit. If the fit is not strong, save your time and energy for a better opportunity.   Next episode Next week, Dr. Trenette will help you plan for a strong 2026. Celebrate with me If this podcast has helped you, share this episode with one colleague and leave a quick review. It helps more people find practical, clear grant writing support when they need it.   More from me: Join the Facebook community for weekly tips and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2385712291797538/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear This week we talk about food as a steady source of energy, clarity, and care for people who carry big workloads and bigger missions. My guest, Julia Ambrozy, RD, is a registered dietitian who helps busy professionals build simple, sustainable nutrition routines that support focus, mood, and stamina. We explore how food choices fuel the impactful work we do. Julia offers a clear way to think about meals during heavy seasons, how to create a basic plate that steadies energy, and what to reach for when you are moving between classes, meetings, and proposal deadlines. We talk about blood sugar and focus, hydration that actually works, easy protein and fiber wins, and how to plan for the week without turning food into another job. Julia also shares a kind, realistic approach to change, including how to reset after travel, how to eat well on a budget, and how to care for yourself when life is full. I think you will appreciate Julia’s practical guidance. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a few simple moves you can repeat, so you feel better and do your best work. Join our growing private Facebook community for connection, practical resources, and steady support: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBd1aCj7r/ Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear Today’s conversation is for those serious about becoming a strong leader. My guest, Josh Hinson, is Director of Relational Leadership @ Carolina, a human centered, transformational leadership program in the UNC Provost’s Office of Interprofessional Health Initiatives. Josh began partnering with Intend Health Strategies in 2019 through UNC’s pilot Relational Leadership Institute and previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the UNC School of Social Work, where he directed the Global Transmigration – Refugee Mental Health and Wellness Initiative delivering mental health services to refugees across North Carolina. We talk about practical ways relational leadership helps busy academics and nonprofit leaders steady the work: opening meetings in a way that centers people and still moves projects forward, sharing power without losing momentum, giving feedback that strengthens trust, and repairing quickly when things get tense. We connect these practices directly to grant writing, how presence beats performative urgency, how clear roles speed up proposal development, and how caring for the team actually improves deliverables and deadlines. Josh shares lessons about listening deeply, designing around real world constraints, and sustaining yourself and your team for the long haul. Josh lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with his wife, their two children, a dog, and an ever declining population of chickens. I think you will appreciate his grounded, generous approach to leadership you can use this week as you manage many balls, including your next grant application. Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear  Sometimes the most strategic move you can make is to pause, plan, and strategize. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares recommendations for designing your season with clarity so you can stop reacting and start leading with intention. Here are the 3 key takeaways: 1- Seasons require prioritizing:  If you do not set priorities, the season will set them for you. 2- Rhythms create stability: Weekly anchors like writing blocks, team touchpoints, rest, and family nights hold your plan together. 3- Boundaries prevent burnout: Clear guardrails protect your time, energy, and mission. What you will learn A three pillar season plan: Vision/Goals, Rhythms, and BoundariesHow to run a simple mid-season check in that realigns focusA practical challenge to set 3 to 5 goals, anchor your week, and protect your energyAction steps Block one hour to set 3 to 5 vision goals for this seasonEstablish weekly rhythms that support those goalsWrite non-negotiable boundaries that keep the plan sustainableSchedule a mid-season check in todayMore from me Join the Facebook community for weekly tips and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2385712291797538/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBTIf this episode helps you, please subscribe and leave a quick review so others can build seasons of purposeGrab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear Many, if not most, foundations screen with Letters of Intent (LOIs). LOIs are short, high-stakes documents that decide whether you get to submit a full proposal. In this episode, I break down what program officers look for in LOIs, share a simple LOI structure that works, and the mindset that helps you rise to the top of a crowded review pile. If you have ever felt unsure about how to stand out in 2–3 pages, this episode will show you how to communicate with confidence, clarity, and alignment. HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1- Alignment is key: A tailored LOI that mirrors a foundation’s stated priorities will outperform a generic template every time. Speak their language and connect your project to their portfolio. 2- Clarity + compliance win first: Follow the instructions exactly. Be clear and specific in your writing. Clarity helps you succeed. 3- Credibility needs numbers: Replace vague claims with evidence (e.g., results, figures). WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Why foundations rely on LOIs and how to use that to your advantageA clean LOI outline you can adapt quicklyCommon LOI killers and stronger alternativesACTION STEPS Identify one truly aligned foundation and draft a practice LOI (do not submit yet)Craft a one-sentence clear and compelling problem statementCompile preliminary results you can plug into any LOIMORE FROM ME Join the Facebook community for weekly tips and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2385712291797538/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBTSubscribe and leave a quick review. Your support helps more organizations fund good workGrab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!

Grant Writing Made Clear Grants do more than fund interventions. In this episode, Dr. Trenette shares how the process of grant writing builds clarity of mission, professional credibility, strategic discipline, partnerships, and a resilient growth mindset. You will walk away with practical ways to treat each proposal. What you will learn How writing proposals clarifies who you serve, why it matters, and the activities you use to serve your populationWhy an unfunded proposal can still grow credibility and open doors How collaboration around grants strengthens relationships and reduces duplicationA healthy way to use reviewer feedback so every no becomes data for your next yesNext steps Share this episode with a colleague who needs encouragementSubscribe so you never miss an episodeGrab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinner If you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!