Becoming Grant Ready During Turbulent Times: Meet Betty Barnard

Funders are closing doors, deadlines are tighter, and “spray and pray” proposals aren’t landing. We sit down with grant strategist Betty Barnard, President and CEO of Resurgens Impact Consulting, to map a smarter way forward for small and mid-sized nonprofits serving health, human services, and movement-building work. The conversation starts with values—care for communities, clarity of mission, and equity—and moves into the tangible steps leaders can take to secure grants without burning out.

We break down what grant readiness truly means in today’s climate: two to three years of operations, clean financials, a strong board, and a written budget you can defend. For newer groups, we explore fiscal sponsorship as a credible pathway to capacity. Betty shares why visibility now equals viability and how to align your website, social channels, and GuideStar or Charity Navigator profiles so funders see a consistent story, strong governance, and measurable outcomes.

Then we get tactical with specific grant application tips: follow directions to the letter, translate outcomes into the funder’s language, use boilerplates wisely and edit hard. Most importantly, build relationships before you submit—because many foundations are prioritizing current or past grantees and moving to invitation-only cycles. A warm outreach can clarify fit, surface timing, and prevent wasted work. We wrap up with a chat about the best way to us AI to support your grant applications.

Betty Barnard's Bio

Bett Barnard specializes in creating and supporting the growth of sustainable, smart, innovative organizations and programs through grant seeking, writing, and research. Betty loves securing grant funds for programs that help people meet their needs and thrive. She has experience in fundraising and grantsmanship with private foundations, corporate sponsors, and local, state, and federal program offices. She believes that everyone deserves to have the resources they need to overcome adversity, heal from violence, and flourish.

Betty launched Resurgens Impact Consulting in 2015 with Irene Turner. Today, Resurgens Impact Consulting is a grant-writing, research, and strategy firm that helps clients across Georgia and the U.S. secure grant funding. We specialize in grant writing for health, human services, including victim services, and systemic change, such as advocacy, organizing, and voter engagement. RIC has helped more than 100 nonprofit clients raise grant awards totaling $155 million and counting.

Betty is a Certified Grant Professional (GPC), a member of the Grant Professionals Association, and a former member of the Georgia Chapter Board.

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Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Setting The Stage For Grant Series
• 3:40 Betty’s Path And Values
• 9:55 Resurgence’s Focus Areas
• 15:20 The Secret Sauce: Care And Strategy
• 20:45 AI’s Role And Ethical Guardrails
• 25:30 2025 Whiplash And Uncertainty
• 30:10 Scenario Planning And Risk
• 35:25 What Grant Ready Really Means
• 41:00 Visibility, Alignment, And Profiles
• 45:20 Common Grant Mistakes To Avoid
• 50:10 Relationship First Funding Reality
• 54:30 Hope, Adaptability, And Care