Non-dilutive funding isn’t just about landing the grant; it’s about delivering on it with excellence. In the third episode of our Deep Dive Series with Climate Finance Solutions, we go beyond the application and explore what happens after the award. Our guest host Joel Armin-Hoiland, Founder & CEO of Climate Finance Solutions, is joined by two experts who live and breathe this work: Susan Perri, Director of Grants at Climate Finance Solutions, and Jeff Haydock, CEO of ecoCFO.

Together, they unpack the essential strategies behind post-award grant management from navigating audits to implementing smart financial systems, crafting efficient technical reports, and making strategic choices long before the application is even submitted. The episode offers real-world insights into federal grant reporting, shifting expectations with the new administration, and how startups can build internal or external capacity to manage complexity without losing focus.

If you’re building a climate company and want to stay ahead of the curve on grants, this episode is for you.

On today’s episode, we cover:

• [02:00] Introductions of Jeff and Susan
• [04:00] Susan’s background
• [05:29] Jeff's background
• [09:38] Susan’s role at Climate Finance Solutions
• [11:18] Post-award management best practices
• [14:10] Strategic elements of grant applications
• [16:26] Financial preparation for grant reporting
• [20:31] Insights on grant audits
• [24:14] Overview of technical reporting
• [27:34] Strategies for making post-award reporting easier
• [34:18] When to hire consultants for grant management
• [39:11] How to ensure smooth collaboration with consultants
• [41:13] Changes in federal grants under the new Administration
• [45:22] Alternative grant funding sources
• [48:24] Closing thoughts and sources of hope

Resources Mentioned

• Climate Finance Solutions
• ecoCFO

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• Joel Armin-Hoiland
• Susan Perri
• Jeff Haydock
• Jason Rissman

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