Nonprofits rarely struggle with having enough to say. Between program descriptions, outcome data, testimonials, and community needs assessments, there is no shortage of information. If anything, the challenge is the opposite: how do you decide what matters most—and how do you say it in a way that sticks? The answer has a lot to doContinue reading “A Caterpillar, a Wizard, and a Scarf: What Makes a Story Stick”
Author Archives: Ellen Spangler
A New Chapter: Introducing Whole Story Solutions
This spring marks five years of building a business I couldn’t have fully imagined when I started—and the beginning of a new chapter. When I filed those initial papers back in 2021, I had a clear sense of the kind of work I wanted to do, but not a full picture of what it would become. I wanted to support nonprofitContinue reading “A New Chapter: Introducing Whole Story Solutions “
What a Financial Statement Says About Your Nonprofit’s Story
If you work at a nonprofit, chances are that financial statements will cross your desk in board packets, grant applications, and annual reports—even if finance isn’t officially part of your job. And yet, you may find yourself quietly wondering: Am I supposed to understand this? At Three Notch’d, we believe that nonprofit financial statements areContinue reading “What a Financial Statement Says About Your Nonprofit’s Story”
Five Grant Funding Trends Nonprofits Should Watch in 2026
Now that 2026 is underway, the contours of the grants landscape are becoming clearer. Here are five grant funding trends we’re watching closely this year. 1. Public funding uncertainty continues to influence foundation strategy. Ongoing volatility in federal and state funding remains a defining backdrop for philanthropic decision-making in 2026. Budget negotiations, shifting political priorities, and changes to public programs all ripple outward, especially forContinue reading “Five Grant Funding Trends Nonprofits Should Watch in 2026”
Five Mindfulness Practices for Nonprofit Teams During Year-End Stress
December in the nonprofit world is its own kind of marathon. End-of-year fundraising deadlines, donor stewardship, program reporting, grant submissions—all while navigating holiday obligations, family gatherings, travel, and the emotional weight this season can bring. At Three Notch’d Nonprofit Solutions, we see how much heart and hustle nonprofit teams put into their work, especially duringContinue reading “Five Mindfulness Practices for Nonprofit Teams During Year-End Stress”
Want to Win Over Funders? Start Before You Walk in the Room
Landing a meeting with a prospective funder is exciting—and often nerve-wracking. Whether you’re sitting down with a foundation program officer, a corporate giving manager, or an individual donor, the preparation you do beforehand can make or break your chances of securing support. These days, nonprofits are facing a more competitive funding landscape, with more requests coming to fundersContinue reading “Want to Win Over Funders? Start Before You Walk in the Room “
The Funding Season Has Changed—Is Your Grant Language Ready?
Over the past several months, Three Notch’d has been talking a lot with our clients about language—specifically, how the political landscape might affect their grant applications and organizational communications. It’s a conversation happening in nonprofit boardrooms across the country, often in hushed tones and with genuine uncertainty about how to proceed. “Should we change howContinue reading “The Funding Season Has Changed—Is Your Grant Language Ready?”
Mission As True North: Navigating Uncertain Times
The nonprofit sector is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. Federal funding cuts, political uncertainty, and a growing climate of fear have created a perfect storm that threatens the stability of organizations across the country. Yet, even in these difficult times, there are pathways forward, and they begin with focusing onContinue reading “Mission As True North: Navigating Uncertain Times”
The Faces Behind Three Notch’d
As we celebrate our fourth year in business at Three Notch’d Nonprofit Solutions, we want to take a moment to introduce (and reintroduce) our team and share what drives us to help nonprofits tell their stories. Founded in 2021 with the premise that every organization has powerful stories waiting to be told, our mission remainsContinue reading “The Faces Behind Three Notch’d”
4 Years in Business! {A Look Back at 2024}
Now that we are well into Q2 2025, we are taking a moment to look back at 2024, and our fourth year of consulting at Three Notch’d Nonprofit Solutions. There is a lot to celebrate! In 2024, “I” became “we.” As Three Notch’d grew beyond the capacity of founder and solopreneur Ellen, she added anContinue reading “4 Years in Business! {A Look Back at 2024}”