Most Popular Blog Posts in 2019

| GS INSIGHTS

I’d like to share with you the ten blog posts published on GrantStation that were the most read in 2019.

Seven of these posts were written by GrantStation staff, and three were contributions from several of our partners.

Each of these posts attracted a lot of readers, I’m sure for varying reasons.

If you haven’t read them take a few minutes, pick out one or two, and spend a little time with some new reflections and ideas about the world of philanthropy that GrantStation offered in 2019.


So LOUD - Be Kind written by Ellen Mowrer, President of GrantStation, addresses how we are all inundated with the loudness of today’s world, and how we choose to react to the noise. It’s a lovely, insightful blog post and clearly deserves the number one spot!

The second most read blog was one I wrote: Grantmaking predictions for 2019. It was really fun to put together, and I included insights from many of our researchers to help me determine what might happen in 2019. Was I right or wrong? You can read my 2020 predictions in a few weeks to see how 2019 turned out, and what we think might happen in 2020.

The number three, What to Say When Asked the Sustainability Question, and number six, Top Eight Recommendations on How to Handle Grant Rejection Letters, most read blog posts were written by one of our newer partners, Jarrett Ransom, President and CEO of The Rayvan Group. The blog about handling rejection letters has a compelling introduction:

Your heart races when you see the email or snail mail from XYZ Foundation. There is a 50/50 chance that the project your organization has planned will be funded. You took the time to apply and as you read their letter about your grant application, your heart drops at these words: "While we appreciate what your organization provides to communities in need, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide funding for your project at this time."

I think you will find that both of these blogs are full of practical recommendations and suggestions. There were good reasons why they were widely read.

Number four on the most popular list was written by Diana Holder, International Research Specialist here at GrantStation. This blog post about the sale of .org is still being read, so it may even move up on the list! Take a quick read if you haven’t already: Sale of .Org Registry Raises Alarm Among Nonprofits.

Number five was written by another new GrantStation partner, Kevin Wallace, President of Campaign Counsel. I really enjoyed his post, Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign? Answer These Six Questions, as it clearly articulates where you need to be in order to move forward with a full-blown capital campaign. More than 20 years ago I used to teach a course on this topic, and I was surprised that the questions you need to ask today are strikingly similar to those we needed to ask 20, 30, or 40 years ago!

Sid Davis, one of our Research Specialists based in Spain, wrote the seventh most read blog. Sid has been a journalist for many years, and we feel very lucky to have him as part of the GrantStation research team. His blog post, Expectations Versus Reality in Applying for Grants, was heavily read and makes some excellent points. He states in this post that “Approximately 59% of grant applications are ultimately unsuccessful. Viewing the process from a wider perspective can help fuel successful efforts, and reduce the disappointment from refusals.” And he goes on from there to demystify some common beliefs. It’s an excellent read.

Number eight on the list was again written by our President, Ellen Mowrer, and was A Reflection on Appreciation. Written from the heart, it is a delightful testament to our Members, our staff, and our partners. It will bring a smile to your face!

As part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration, number nine on the list was an interview with one of our longest standing members of GrantStation. The interview was conducted and written by David Preis, our Director of Member Services, and is called The Power of Re-Reading. The interview was with Lucille Acken of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, who has been a Member of GrantStation since 2004, and talks about lessons she’s learned during her years as a grantwriter.

Number ten was once again written by our Research Specialist, Sid Davis. A Philanthropy Facts Roundup is just what the title says it is, a roundup of facts that are both interesting and enlightening. I have now gone over it three times and find it even more interesting with each read.

I hope you will take a little time for yourself today and read a few of these posts that made our blog, GS Insights, so popular in 2019. I also hope you will continue to check out our weekly insights into the world of philanthropy as we make our way into 2020.

And thank you for being such loyal followers of what we do here at GrantStation. Happy 2020 everyone!