When it comes to nonprofit success, passion alone isn’t enough. Infrastructure, leadership, and sustainability are the quiet forces that turn a good idea into a lasting impact. That’s why in this episode of GrantTalk, Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch and author of The Queen of Grants, sits down with Eloiza Altoro, Fund Advisor for the Nonprofit Management Fund (NMF) in Milwaukee. Their conversation reveals how capacity-building grants and consulting support are helping nonprofits thrive, long after the check is written.
Eloiza Altoro of the Nonprofit Management Fund
With over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Eloiza Altoro knows the unique challenges nonprofits face, especially small to mid-sized organizations with limited support staff. From direct service to consulting, her journey eventually brought her back to where it all started: the Nonprofit Management Fund, a collaborative fund dedicated to strengthening nonprofits through capacity building.
Now in her fifth year as Fund Advisor, Altoro works closely with NMF’s eight funding partners to ensure local nonprofits get the support they need to build internal strength and long-term sustainability.
What Makes The Nonprofit Management Fund Different?
While many foundations focus on programming, the Nonprofit Management Fund fills a critical gap: operations. Their grants cover everything from governance and leadership development to financial management, marketing, and communications.
“We pay for consultants to come in and do the work,” Altoro explained. “A lot of nonprofits don’t receive that kind of funding from other sources.”
Grant writers aren’t typically funded directly, but the Fund offers training cohorts to boost grant-readiness in an effort to help organizations write stronger proposals and make the most of opportunities listed on platforms like GrantWatch.
A Smarter Way to Apply for Grants
Altoro encourages nonprofits to connect before applying. Through one-on-one video consultations, she helps clarify fit, answer questions, and ensure proposals align with the Fund’s priorities. That proactive approach has reduced the number of ineligible applications and strengthened overall quality.
NMF holds three grant cycles a year, though demand has recently doubled. In response, the Fund frontloaded its support earlier in the year and is reevaluating how to remain as responsive as possible moving forward.
Replicable Support, Real Impact
From pitch competitions that include GrantWatch subscriptions to fundraising “boot camps” for small organizations, the Nonprofit Management Fund offers scalable ideas for building nonprofit strength.
Libby Hikind praised the Fund’s work, noting that the organizations NMF supports are often the ones “boots on the ground,” doing the hard work but lacking the resources to sustain it.
Their conversation ends on a high note, celebrating the trust nonprofits place in NMF and the open, honest dialogue that helps both funders and grantees grow stronger together.
Final Takeaway
“Being perfect isn’t the goal,” Altoro said. “Being open, honest, and ready to grow, that’s what makes the biggest difference.”
This episode of GrantTalk is a must-watch for any nonprofit seeking funding, clarity, and direction in today’s evolving grant landscape.
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With over 10,000 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. Watch the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch, with host Libby Hikind. You don’t want to miss this. Visit us on YouTube weekly. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants:
