SWAN Google Docs Blog Archive


Before moving the SWAN blog over to Blogger, we published several posts as Google Docs. We are gathering those former posts here in one place so they remain easy to find, read, and share.

Some of these posts were part of our regular Funding Friday and Monday Matters series. Others were special editions or related SWAN updates. Even though these were created before the move to Blogger, there is still good information here for nonprofit leaders, volunteers, artists, educators, fundraisers, board members, and community organizations.

Funding Friday

May 15, 2026: What One Arts Funder’s 2026 Grants Tell Us About the Future of Arts Funding in Southwestern Pennsylvania
This post looks at what recent arts grant announcements may suggest about the future of arts funding in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It highlights themes such as sustainability, collaboration, accessibility, workforce development, and organizational capacity.

May 22, 2026: What the Heinz Endowments’ New Funding Priorities Mean for Small Arts Organizations
This post examines changes in Heinz Endowments' arts funding priorities and what those changes may mean for smaller arts organizations. It discusses the shift away from one-time projects and toward ecosystem-level impact, workforce pathways, shared infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.

May 29, 2026: Why More Nonprofits Are Rethinking the Big Fundraiser
This post explores why some nonprofits are reconsidering large fundraising events. It examines the time, cost, staffing, and return-on-investment considerations that organizations should consider before relying on major events as a fundraising strategy.

June 5, 2026: The Future of Arts Funding Is Taking Shape
This post connects new Pennsylvania Creative Industries funding and Heinz Endowments strategy changes to a larger trend in arts philanthropy. It explains how funders are increasingly interested in collaboration, creative workforce pathways, community engagement, and broader ecosystem impact.

June 12, 2026: Investing in Professional Growth to Better Serve Our Communities
This post focuses on the importance of professional development for nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and community organizations. It encourages organizations to view training, learning, and networking as investments that ultimately strengthen the communities they serve.

June 19, 2026: Virtual Networking, Professional Development, and Why I Keep Showing Up
This post reflects on the value of virtual learning and networking opportunities. It highlights how online workshops, webinars, and professional sessions can help nonprofit leaders stay connected, informed, and prepared without the cost or burden of travel.

June 26, 2026: Learning Never Stops, and Neither Should You
This post uses the ups and downs of grant seeking to emphasize persistence, preparation, and continuous learning. It encourages nonprofit leaders and volunteers to keep building their knowledge so they can identify better opportunities and respond more strategically.

July 3, 2026: Not All Nonprofits Are Created Equal
This post reflects on the difference between equal mission value and unequal organizational opportunity. It discusses how some nonprofits have more resources, staff, and access to funding than others, and why sharing knowledge can help narrow that gap.

Monday Matters

May 11, 2026: Nonprofit Grants, Trainings, Conferences & Networking Across SWPA
This roundup highlights grant opportunities, professional development programs, conferences, and nonprofit resources across Southwestern Pennsylvania. It is especially useful for organizations looking for upcoming learning, funding, and networking opportunities.

May 18, 2026: Nonprofit Grants, Trainings, Conferences & Networking Across SWPA
This follow-up Monday Matters post continues the conversation about staying visible, connected, and informed. It connects regional opportunities with broader nonprofit trends around collaboration, funding readiness, and long-term sustainability.

June 1, 2026: Summer Arts, Music, Culture & Community Events Across SWPA
This post highlights summer arts, music, cultural, and community events connected to MVAA and the wider region. It includes concerts, workshops, festivals, youth programs, and other opportunities for community engagement.

June 15, 2026: That’s the Power of… Networking!
This post focuses on networking as one of the most important tools in nonprofit work. It includes grant opportunities, job postings, professional development resources, and examples of how shared connections can open doors for organizations and individuals.

June 22, 2026: The Art of Strategy
This reflective post draws on ideas from history, strategy, and planning to discuss nonprofit leadership and fundraising. It argues that successful outcomes often begin long before the visible application, campaign, event, or proposal.

June 29, 2026: Looking Beyond the Surface
This post reflects on how easy it is to simplify complicated stories, whether famous quotations or nonprofit success stories. It encourages readers to understand each organization’s unique context, history, capacity, and community before applying one-size-fits-all advice.

Special SWAN Posts

June 24, 2026: When the Grant Decision Isn’t the One You Wanted
This post offers practical guidance for responding to a declined grant application. It encourages organizations to review proposals objectively, seek feedback, assess funder alignment, and keep moving forward rather than treating one rejection as a failure.

June 27, 2026: Staying Informed Without Becoming Overwhelmed
This special edition focuses on staying informed about nonprofit policy, funding, and sector changes without becoming overwhelmed. It highlights the value of reliable sources, board communication, documentation, revenue diversification, and calm, informed action.

June 30, 2026: Funding Forward Grant/Funding Readiness Toolkit
This post announces SWAN’s Funding Forward initiative and introduces the Grant Readiness Toolkit. It explains how the toolkit can help small and mid-sized nonprofits assess readiness, evaluate grant fit, and make stronger go/no-go decisions before applying.

We hope this archive remains useful as SWAN continues sharing resources, ideas, and opportunities through our new Blogger home.

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