People who know me know I’m not a fan of superhero movies. But Spider-Man is one I can get down with. Let me explain why.
When Peter Parker discovers his powers, he uses them selfishly. He lets a petty criminal escape, and that criminal later kills Uncle Ben, the man who raised him. Through that loss, Peter learns that great ability carries real responsibility.
From then on, every battle means something. He fights so no one else has to feel what he felt. We root for him because we understand his why.
Your donors need the same thing from you.
As a fundraiser or nonprofit leader, you can recite your mission, your outcomes, and your budget. But donors don’t fall in love with statistics. They connect with people. They want to know why you do this work, and what moment in your life made this mission personal.
That’s your story of self, and its backbone is struggle. Not your highlight reel, but the experience that marked you and tied your purpose to the cause you now champion. Finding it means digging deep.
When you share it, your ask stops sounding like a transaction and starts sounding like a calling.
Building a story of self that connects, persuades, and moves donors is exactly the kind of skill we teach in the Own the Ask Academy.
Spring 2027 registration opens soon. Sign up here to be notified when it does.
Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Human Services Grants - $3K to $40K for NYC nonprofits running prevention, social change and education programs for New Yorkers - January 15, 2027.
National Geographic Society – The Human Thread - Grants for storytelling projects illuminating human cultures and experiences, with priority for applicants with lived experience in their communities - December 1, 2026.
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grants - $1,000-$20,000 grants for Manhattan-based artists, collectives, and nonprofits across all disciplines through four tracks: project funding, arts education, and general operating support - November 12, 2026.
VIA Art Fund Artistic Production Grant - $25,000 to $100,000 grants for U.S.-based artists creating newly commissioned visual art in public spaces and non-traditional exhibition environments. LOI required - November 5, 2026.
Aegon Transamerica Foundation Grant - Grants for nonprofits in 10 U.S. cities supporting arts, community development, education, health, and financial empowerment - November 1, 2026.
Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation - Grants from about $10K to $500K+ (mostly general operating) for DC-area nonprofits in arts, community services, education, environment and health; no letter of inquiry needed - November 1, 2026.
ABNY Foundation Grant - $10,000 grants for small to mid-size NYC nonprofits (50 employees or less) supporting economic opportunity (career training, small businesses) and civic engagement (civic literacy, leadership development) - October 31, 2026.
Leadership Fellows at The Trust - rolling deadline
Harvard Health Coverage Fellowship - rolling deadline
Seeding Disruption Fellowship - rolling deadline
Craft Archive Fellowship - For researchers, scholars, and artists conducting research on history of underrepresented craft artists - rolling deadline
Asian Cultural Council – Individual Fellowship & Organization Grant - $35,000 individual fellowships and $50,000 organization grants for U.S. artists, scholars, and arts/culture nonprofits pursuing cultural exchange activities in Asia across 16 arts and humanities disciplines - November 10, 2026.
Rome Prize – American Academy in Rome - $30,000 fellowship plus room, board, and workspace in Rome for U.S. artists and scholars across 13 disciplines including visual arts, literature, music composition, architecture, design, and humanities - November 1, 2026.
Women inPower Fellowship - For women who are 3-5 years away from C-suite positions or women based in NYC (separate cohorts) - November 2026.
Michigan Central Art x Newlab Creative Residency - $30,000 unrestricted award plus 12-week residency in Detroit for U.S.-based individual artists (25+) at the intersection of art, technology, health, and society - October 30, 2026.