NRDC-IE Inner Circle

Where Visionaries Get Funded.

Ready to move your business or nonprofit from idea to execution—with real money in hand?

100% of our first Inner Circle cohort members received a mini grant. Now it’s your turn.

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What Is the Inner Circle?  

The Inner Circle is NRDC-IE’s premium coaching and funding readiness course—designed to help visionaries build fundable projects, complete every grant requirement, and leave with real dollars secured.

It’s not just about writing grants.




“I came in with an idea. I left with a team, funding, and a plan.”

                                                                                                                                                                   



Its about:

Clarfiying Your Vision 

Turn your passion into a fundable concept.

You’ll start with a coaching call led by our in-house industry expert—someone who knows exactly what funders are looking for. Together, you'll unpack your idea, align it with what’s fundable, and get in the right mindset to move forward.

Then, our AI-powered Priority Passion Project Tool takes over.

 This is the moment when things click. You stop guessing and start building.


Building Your Team 

Because no one wins grants alone.

Through Inner Circle, you’ll build what we call a Solutions Team. These are trusted, vetted industry experts from our exclusive database—professionals who’ve already helped other organizations win funding.

You'll be matched with experts whose background strengthens your application in areas like mental health, sustainability, youth services, or business strategy. And it doesn’t stop there—you bring value too.

We'll help you identify team members from your own world (colleagues, volunteers, advisors) who can play a powerful role on your team.

Completing Your Documents 

Paperwork shouldn't be a barrier.

Every grant requires key documents—from 501(c)(3) letters and budgets to mission statements, evaluations, and registrations. Most people never get funded because they don’t know what to submit—or where to start.

We’ve solved that.

With our Grant Readiness Checklist, we guide you step-by-step to complete every required document. Not just fill it out—but finish it with confidence.

You’ll also get support on the hard stuff, like:

  • Uploading your documents properly
  • Writing strong narratives
  • Understanding what funders actually mean


Getting Greenlit

Know you're ready—before you apply.

Once your documents, team, and project concept are aligned, we review your full readiness and mark your profile as “Greenlit.” That means you’ve hit all the major benchmarks and are officially eligible for real grant applications.

This isn’t a generic certificate.

This is a stamp of approval that says your work is strong, supported, and fundable—right now.


100% of our last cohort got Greenlit—and every one of them received funding.

Securing Your First (or next) Grant 

You’ll leave with real funding—and a full roadmap.

Here’s where everything comes together.

Using your:

  • Priority Passion Project
  • Completed Documents
  • Greenlit Status
  • Solutions Team

…we generate your custom Grant Organization Fact Sheet.

This is your master key—a powerful summary that feeds directly into our grant software, which matches you with curated opportunities that fit your specific vision, location, structure, and experience.

You’ll apply with confidence—and often, you’ll win before the course even ends.

Every member of our last cohort received a mini grant—and several are now positioned for 5- and 6-figure awards.

Our First Cohort: Real Results


Greenlit 

Getting greenlit meant I was clear. That mini grant was confirmation that my vision was aligned and fundable.

Cliff Wright • Hope for Familes Ministry 

Mini Grant Secured 

This course showed me exactly what I needed to change to be fundable. I’m reframing my whole retreat model now—and I got a mini grant to do it.

Marsha Evans • MRE Divine 

Solutions Teams Formed 

We’re building real solutions teams. That’s how you scale. I finally understand what funders are looking for—and I have the team to meet it.

Olivia Nambeye • Peace Pulse 


These aren’t small wins. These are funding breakthroughs.


What You’ll Walk Away With

We walk you through every step of the funding process. By the end of the course, you’ll have:

Your Priority Passion Project


Your grant library uploaded and verified


Full Greenlight Readiness status  



Your UEI & SAM.gov registrations complete


A team of vetted partners to strengthen your applications


Your first grant award  



The Next Cohort Is Forming Now

Spots are limited. We keep this group small on purpose—so you get deep support, real feedback, and real funding.

✔️ Coaching sessions

✔️ Hands-on support through every milestone

✔️ Bonus access to industry experts

✔️ Document review, greenlight confirmation, and funding leads