How can you stay connected when working remotely as a grant professional?

Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Posted by: Kaitlyn Broussard

Many of us work remotely these days, never getting to observe other folks in action or the impact they make. Recent reports indicate that around 22 million employed adults in the U.S. work entirely from home, which is roughly 14% of all employed adults (Punjwani & Campbell, 2024). Additional research estimates that 19% of nonprofit staff work remotely (Hashimoto, 2023). As the number of grant professionals operating out of virtual offices increases, so does the library of resources to keep us connected and up to date in our field.

As a grant professional working remotely, I appreciate the freedom to be able to work from home, or at coworking spaces, coffee shops, parks, and anywhere else Wi-Fi is available. Working remotely in the public, offers a great opportunity to spread awareness about our organizations. If I’m asked what I’m working on, I take the opportunity to introduce my organization, its mission and the impact that we’re making. Operating in virtual offices has the added benefit of decreasing the operational expenses for our host organizations. However, it can be easy to feel disconnected when not physically present with our teams or in the organizational milieu. 

As grant professionals, we’re fortunate to have groups and associations to help us stay connected in our field. Grant Professionals Association (GPA) provides members with a virtual space to connect and share information, offering webinars on timely and important topics, like developing fundraising strategies and highlighting changes in the field. GPA’s forum (GrantZone) offers access to highly experienced grant professionals who provide thoughtful and detailed replies. Though GPA provides other spaces for members to collaborate, including regional chapter meetings, I’ve found most useful are their webinars and forums, which guide my daily work. 

Having the support and collaboration of a remote team is beneficial. Not only does it aid with grant management, but also helps ameliorate feelings of disconnection. While I’m independently contracted as the grant manager for Lockwood Animal Rescue Center, Rewind Rhino Extinction and Buffalo Field Campaign, I’m also contracted as a grant professional through “The Dotted i Fundraising,” a remote team of dedicated grant professionals to raise funding for nonprofit organizations. Our team is spread out across the U.S., and we share updates about funders, collaborate on training, and offer support to one another. We also have a Zoom meeting once a week, where we can meet virtually to work independently but together. Though remote, it's comforting to have a team of talented professionals supporting my work, and working alongside me toward the same goals.

The trend toward remote work will likely continue to increase rapidly, especially as the benefits of remote work continue to outweigh any drawbacks. Though less visible in the organizations with which we work, virtual grant professionals like me remain integral parts of teams and broader professional networks where we play vital roles and make a significant impact.

References

Hashimoto, E. (2023, June 20). What emerging trends tell us about the future of remote work in the nonprofit sector. National Council of Nonprofits. https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/what-emerging-trends-tell-us-about-future-remote-work-nonprofit-sector

Punjwani, M., & Campbell, S. (2024, April 3). Remote work statistics and trends in 2024. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/remote-work-statistics/