Funders and nonprofits share a common goal—driving meaningful impact—but too often, misaligned expectations, resource constraints, and process inefficiencies create friction that slows progress on both sides.

In this interactive session, we’ll open the conversation around the real constraints funders and nonprofits face, from capacity and compliance pressures to reporting requirements and limited flexibility. Together, we’ll explore how these challenges show up across the grants lifecycle and where they most often create tension or misunderstanding.

We’ll also highlight how some funders are actively working alongside nonprofits to improve collaboration, reduce burden, and build trust—shifting from transactional grantmaking to more transparent, partnership‑driven approaches. Attendees will hear key considerations for both funders and nonprofits, including where expectations can be clarified earlier, how feedback loops can be strengthened, and what “good partnership” looks like in practice.

A featured conversation with Angela Finley Hunter, Grants Manager at The Imlay Foundation, will bring these ideas to life. Angela will share her experience forming and leading a Grant Advisory Group, an initiative designed to engage nonprofits directly in shaping grant applications, requirements, and processes. Through meaningful dialogue with grantees, her foundation has worked to improve clarity, equity, and efficiency—resulting in a grants experience that better serves everyone involved.

Whether you sit on the funding or receiving side (or both), this session offers practical insights, candid discussion, and real‑world examples of how funders and nonprofits can work better together—from application through reporting—to maximize impact.