The Grant Writing Unicorn Podcast

How Banned Words Could Cost Your Nonprofit Federal Grants in 2025

Episode Summary

It sounds wild, but using everyday words like “woman” or “inclusion” could actually get your federal grant application tossed out in 2025. 😱 If you’re tired of pouring hundreds of hours into proposals not knowing If they will get discarded based on word choice, you’re not alone—and we’ve got your back with solutions! You’ll walk away knowing how to swap “risky” words for safe ones so your community can keep getting the funding it needs—without erasing your mission. 💪 Stick around for this video because the guide (and cathartic real talk) you need is waiting at the end!

Episode Notes

It sounds wild, but using everyday words like “woman” or “inclusion” could actually get your federal grant application tossed out in 2025. 😱 If you’re tired of pouring hundreds of hours into proposals not knowing If they will get discarded based on word choice, you’re not alone—and we’ve got your back with solutions! You’ll walk away knowing how to swap “risky” words for safe ones so your community can keep getting the funding it needs—without erasing your mission. 💪 Stick around for this video because the guide (and cathartic real talk) you need is waiting at the end!

List of banned words: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/07/us/trump-federal-agencies-websites-words-dei.html

‼️ Banned Words Replacement List (download here): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MgAL9EMHhJLfrkpAv3D7dMziwCVfLc_G/view?usp=sharing

Watch more videos like this:

What's REALLY Going on with Federal Grant Cuts Right Now?
👉 https://youtu.be/eejAkZ4acMk

What You Need to Know About Trump's Freeze on Federal Grant Reimbursement [As of Jan 28!]
👉https://youtube.com/live/Tq4cQi1dy_k

Applying for Federal Grants? Don’t do these 4 things, whatever you do!
👉https://youtu.be/w16GPpgOJpE