Tracye McDaniel

Spoke today with Jana R Minifie, PhD, ECA, BCA, CVA Strategic Value Builders and Bill Thompson, M.Ed., M.S., CVA, BCA, ECA Texas State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) about everyone’s favorite topic: process and SOPs (standard operating procedures). It was fun to be on an international panel with Nicole Mclaughlin, Jeffrey Stein, and Coach Juli Shulem Productivity Expert 🏆 hearing perspectives from around the world about something that rarely gets attention but quietly makes everything work. A few takeaways: As one of my favorite authors, David Allen says, “Control is the master addiction.” We love keeping things in our heads. Having a solid coach and trusted partner can help you get everything out of your head. Everyone already has a process. Most of the time it’s just unconscious. As Carl Jung famously said: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” The same is true in business. Growth happens when you make the process visible and repeatable. Start building processes early. Otherwise you’ll eventually pay consultants a lot of money to extract or fix them later. Many people know me first as a communication person, but fewer realize I’ve spent years building process inside research labs and companies. Good process does three things: • helps things actually get done • helps organizations grow • reduces the stress and chaos that come from everything living in someone’s head Reach out to someone above if you need some support with your SOP's.

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🚨WEEKLY ROUNDUP🚨 ​💪🏻 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮! ​​​💰 $31.5 MILLION for local projects invested this session 🏦 Policy Committee examines potential reforms that could help you 🛎️ Tax forms & rebate help + 𝒎𝙪𝒄𝙝 𝙢𝒐𝙧𝒆! 📲 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/eQwnnJCS

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📣 We are delighted to partner with InClime as they take over the management of DOE/NLR's Energy Connector. CESA will handle the state outreach and state policy side. Read our press release below.

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4 grants currently open for nonprofits and community organizations 🤝 These are this month's picks for nonprofits. NEA Research Grants in the Arts 💰 $20K–$100K | 📅 Mar 23 | 🇺🇸 USA Clean Energy Access LA County TECH Grant 💰 $200,000 | 📅 Mar 31 | 🇺🇸 California Addressing Needs of Incarcerated Parents & Children 💰 $750,000 | 📅 Mar 30 | 🇺🇸 USA OJJDP Second Chance Act Youth Reentry 💰 $750,000 | 📅 Mar 30 | 🇺🇸 USA A lot of nonprofits we talk to are doing genuinely important work, and still struggling to secure consistent funding. Not because the grants aren't there. But because grant writing, compliance, and positioning are their own skill set that nobody teaches you when you're focused on running a mission-driven organization. Free March Grant List (100+ grants, USA + Global): https://lnkd.in/eU9Tcxih

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The strength of the NACo Public Promise Procurement program lies in its ability to harness the collective power of 3,069 counties across the country. By working through lead public agencies, PPP brings national-scale procurement advantages directly to local governments. For small counties, this isn’t just about convenience — it’s about leveling the playing field. With NACo’s buying power at their fingertips, even the smallest jurisdictions can access high-value contracts and pricing usually reserved for larger entities. Cathy Muse, Program Director at NACo PPP, and Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of NYSAC, both detail how this approach empowers counties to deliver more for their communities. #CountyGovernments #CooperativePurchasing #PublicProcurement #NACoPPP #LocalLeadership #GovernmentEfficiency

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Empowering Change: National Black Chamber of Commerce and National Alliance for Black Business Shape Policy at White House Briefing NBCC and NABB Collaborate with Policymakers to Expand Market Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurs by Metalle TagnerMarch 19, 2026 How Black Business Leaders Are Driving Policy Change in Washington” Black business leaders convened in Washington, D.C., this week for a series of high-level policy meetings at the White House and the U.S. Senate. The national delegation focused on securing direct engagement with the administration to shape policies that expand domestic and global market opportunities for Black Business Enterprises. This historic gathering brought together CEOs, chamber executives, and entrepreneurs representing hundreds of Black chambers of commerce nationwide. The National Black Chamber of Commerce held its Annual National Business Policy Conference, hosted by the National Alliance for Black Business. The main objective was to ensure economic policies reflect the needs of Black entrepreneurs. Delegates left the capital with a clear path forward for strengthening access to capital, procurement opportunities, and international trade networks. Read more about The National Black Business Chamber’s economic empowerment and community initiatives at thenarrativematters.com Black Business Leaders Focus on Economic Growth The delegation participated in a highly focused White House briefing centered on trade, taxes, and small business initiatives. Following the briefing, attendees joined a bipartisan policy roundtable at the U.S. Senate Hart Office Building. They met with congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle to discuss the future of the American economy. Charles H. DeBow III, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the vital role of these enterprises. He noted that Black-owned businesses serve as a powerful engine of growth and innovation across the country. The primary goal remains securing greater access to funding and procurement opportunities so these businesses can compete on merit. Advocates at the conference stressed that free-market principles must guide the development of new economic policies. When business owners have fair access to capital, they can hire more workers, develop new products, and invest back into their local communities. (continued in article....) Larry Ivory National Black Chamber of Commerce National Alliance for Black Business The National Business League John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM Ken L. Harris, Ph.D. Melinda C. Sylvester Jerry Mitchell Tarnisha Cliatt Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Tim Scott Hon.Michael A. Griffin Shaquana “Shaq” Teasley - DBS, CCS, MSLR Frederick Jordan, Sr. Frederick L. Anderson Darlene E. Terri Batch Terri Davis, Ph.D., MBA https://lnkd.in/eCzKEvrY

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Louisiana deserves a strong voice at the table when national energy policy is shaped. I spoke with The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com’s Washington-based Mark Ballard about #POTUS FERC nominee, Louisiana native David LeCerte. When federal regulators know our industries, our infrastructure, and our communities firsthand, they can make better decisions that protect and grow jobs, encourage innovation, and keep Louisiana competitive in every part of the energy sector. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g_bEVhDF #lalege #lagov

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CIHR: 2025-26 Partnering for Impact - Catalyst Grant. Funding for the planning and execution of pilot projects or feasibility studies to generate proof of concept and/or preliminary data. https://lnkd.in/ePxDa5MH

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Silicon Valley Clean Energy- Community Grants to Offer Technical Assistance- SVCE provides local investments through grants to support key community groups in their transition to clean and resilient technologies. The Community Grants program will provide funding to schools, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and community-based organizations to support projects that address building and transportation electrification and energy resilience. https://lnkd.in/gPVchPd5 This grant program will build local partnerships that will strengthen and sustain long-term climate goals. The Board approved a technical assistance contract that will offer grantees support in the planning, development, and implementation of their projects. These Community Grants will launch in Spring 2026. In March 2024, the Board approved $10 million in grants to support building and transportation electrification, energy resilience, and community engagement projects. The program is divided into the following three areas: 1) Noncompetitive Member Agency Grants ($3 million); 2) Competitive Member Agency Grants ($3.5 million); and 3) Competitive Community Grants ($3.5 million) for Community Organizations. Both Member Agency Grants are already underway. The Community Grants will launch in the Spring of 2026 and provide $2.2 million for schools and $1.1 million for community organizations, such as nonprofits, faith-based groups, and community-based organizations, to support projects that address building electrification, transportation electrification, and energy resilience. SVCE has dedicated funds to support community organizations in building local partnerships that will strengthen and sustain long-term decarbonization goals. SVCE Welcomes New Committee Appointments- Each year, the SVCE Board appoints its members to serve on various committees that assist with the agency's functions by conducting deep dives and providing oversight of issues, and by recommending actions to the full SVCE Board. I will be serving on the Leg Ad-Hoc Committee.

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🏘️ If you represent a not-for-profit organization, housing co-operative or municipal authority engaged in affordable housing, this GMF resource can help you build a compelling case for energy efficiency that resonates with your board and funders. Read the factsheet: https://lnkd.in/eaq-UMDU

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Strong communities require strong financial foundations. The Capital for Communities track at the 2025 IEDC Annual Conference will look at the tools, strategies, and partnerships needed to mobilize resources, attract investment, and build lasting economic resilience. Learn from experts driving innovative funding solutions at the local, regional, and national levels. Sessions include: • Building Momentum: Key Elements of a Successful Economic Development Fundraising Campaign • From Vision to Action: Why Regional Strategic Plans Matter More Than Ever • Stepping Up: How Regions Can Seize Advanced Energy Opportunities in a Time of Federal Uncertainty • Building Community Investment Funds • Harnessing Opportunity Zones for Economic Development If these sessions interest you, the 2025 IEDC Annual Conference (September 14-17) is the place to be! Register at https://lnkd.in/e2BNH54p. The 2025 IEDC Annual Conference is presented by Visit Detroit and Niagara Bottling.

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This Brookings case study examines how the region birthed Tulsa Innovation Labs, a regional economic strategy entity backed by philanthropy, which in turn has mobilized nearly $150 million in federal and corporate investments in its emerging advanced air mobility industry.

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Opportunity Zones hold tremendous potential to drive investment into rural communities facing persistent poverty across the country – if they are done correctly. On Wednesday, Partners for Rural Transformation, Housing Assistance Council, and Hope Policy Institute released a guide for state policymakers and local practitioners to ensure that this once-in-a-decade opportunity is not missed in the rural communities millions of people call home. https://lnkd.in/efh82D2y

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Municipalities are building community engagement with Sister Cities, both in the US and abroad. Sister Cities share resources, boost civic engagement, and collaborate on common goals. This session highlights active partnerships and explores how Sister City connections can strengthen communities through shared initiatives, regional collaboration, and citizen diplomacy.

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Are you (or your community/partners) facing difficult decisions about the way forward for your organization given recent aid cuts? Are you considering a merger, partnership or another kind of organizational transition? Accountability Lab, Development Gateway: An IREX Venture and @Digital Public have set up a new partnership matching service and professional support infrastructure to help organizations facing newly shortened financial runways or other challenges. The project has created a shared fund and pool of technical expertise that you can access to support the changes you need to make. It is focused on helping mission-driven organizations navigate transitions in ways that preserve valuable teams, projects, technology, and knowledge: A blog about it all: https://lnkd.in/duaaWTwd A  toolkit to think about 1st steps https://lnkd.in/dAZtQSV3 The link for organizations to submit their information if they need support (a very quick 5 minute starting point) https://lnkd.in/dfAkt8yk

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