We’re Listening
Thoughts from the Executive Director, Michelle Greanias

Among its accomplishments, the Grants Managers Network (GMN) has:

• Helped members perform better in their current jobs.
• Prepared members for professional growth opportunities.
• Communicated to leadership at member organizations the value of grants managers.

That’s what members told us in GMN’s 2008 member survey [link to full results].  It is a wonderful validation of the work of GMN’s dedicated volunteers.  But, we also heard that we could do even better.

We’ve heard that we need to:

• Provide more sector-specific content that directly relates to the challenges of managing grants at corporations, small foundations, and community foundations. 
• Expand our regional chapters to ensure that GMN is working where our members are working.
• Deliver a certification program that elevates the grants management profession.
• Work more to promote the grants management role and function to program staff, senior leadership, and the field as a whole.
• Create more leadership opportunities to help members refine and develop their skills.

We’re listening.

The GMN Board is hard at work developing a three-year strategic plan that builds on our strengths and addresses these needs.  We look forward to sharing this plan with you in the next month.

This plan will also work to address the most pressing issues facing grants managers in the coming months and years, including:

• The economic downturn, which is resulting in reduced grants budgets and growing demand for grant support.
• Reduced grantmaker resources, which will contribute to the push for greater operational efficiency, including streamlining grantmaking practices to reduce administrative costs.
• Increased accountability requirements and ever-changing tax regulations and audit requirements.

We will continue listening.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and to all members who share their feedback through regional meetings and other forums.  To gather your feedback on an ongoing basis, we’ve set-up a GIGI discussion thread.  Drop us a note -- GMN is your organization and exists to serve your needs!