BradleyInsight

Core Services

BradleyInsight can be a valuable thought-partner and trusted administrator who can help organization's 

Fractional Executive Leadership

• • Board Governance & Management Support

  • Cross-functional Leadership

  • Event Planning & Activation

  • Special Projects

Grantmaking Strategy & Facilitation

• • Giving Strategy & Evaluation Criteria 

  • Application Process Development

  • Due Diligence & Proposal Evaluation

  • Data Collection, Synthesis, and Reporting

Corporate and Foundation Fundraising Strategy

• • Funding Request Review: Pre-submission review of cases for support, concept notes, letters of inquiry, full proposals

  • Funder Prospecting

  • Website Audits

Philosophy & Approach

Grantmaking Strategy & Facilitation

BradleyInsight uses a thorough, data-driven approach to scope and research prospective grantees. Using desk research and stakeholder interviews to gain an understanding of the demographics and socio-economic conditions, geography, community assets and challenges, and organizational capacity.

A typical work plan includes (6-week, local sports-based youth development project shown as an example):

Week 1: Planning & Alignment

Goal: Establish a shared understanding of project scope and priorities.

Activities:

• Kick-off meeting with client to confirm goals, expectations, project timeline, check-in dates, and reporting format.

• Create a project work plan, outlining deliverables, timeline.

• Identify local stakeholders and begin outreach to schedule interviews.

• Develop data collection tools (i.e. neighborhood profile template,  stakeholder interview questions)

Weeks 2-4: Data Collection 

Goal: Gather qualitative and quantitative data for each neighborhood and youth sports outlook.

A. Desk Research

B. Stakeholder Interviews

Weeks 5: Synthesis & Recommendations

Goal: Analyze and integrate data into actionable insights.

A. Community/Neighborhood Briefs - 2–3 page profile per neighborhood including:

• Demographics and community context

• Overview of assets (programs, spaces, schools)

• Summary of identified programmatic and operational gaps or barriers 

• Local leadership capacity and program alignment with SBYD principles

• Quotes or insights from stakeholders

• Maps, visuals, or tables as appropriate

B. Thematic Analysis

• Identify common gaps and barriers across neighborhoods.

• Note patterns in leadership strength, program collaboration, or organizational readiness.

C. Draft Recommendations

• Preliminary list of potential grantee partners, including brief rationale.

• Share draft with client for feedback.

• Revise and submit final deliverables by mutually agreed upon deadline.

Week 6: Reporting & Delivery 

Goal: Package insights and share findings with client.

Deliverables:

• Final report and slide deck and talking points, including:

  • Executive summary

  • Neighborhood briefs (3–4 total)

  • Thematic analysis

  • Recommendations

Corporate and Foundation Fundraising

While conducting more than 500 site visits around the U.S. and abroad, Cathy advised hundreds of applicants including nonprofits, foundations, youth service agencies, municipal governments, and schools to improve funding requests for programming and capital projects.

Cathy offers 20 years of experience and a grant maker's perspective. Her philosophy to funding proposals is summed up in "4 C's:"

1. Clear - The proposal has a clear case for support and makes sense to anyone who reads it.

2. Concise - The application does not contain "fluff," jargon, information not requested or irrelevant.

3. Complete - The application provides all of the information and documents requested by the funder.

4. Connected - The purpose and goals of the grant and the proposed program or project addresses the funder's mission and goals. It "connects the dots" for the reviewer.

With Cathy's unique perspective, BradleyInsight helps organizations make their best possible case for funding by offering affordable, effective grant consultation services, specializing in requests related to equitable access to quality youth sports, recreation, and fitness programs and facilities; however, her eye for a good grant application can be valuable to any organization or request.  

Fees

BradleyInsight can work within your budget, offering hourly billing rates or project-based fees. 

Need Help?

Contact BradleyInsight at cathy@bradley-insight.com to schedule a chat about your needs.