Mint Maven

Bespoke
fundraising
support
for the Arts

Mint Maven is a resource that provides the framework, resources and support for creatives to earn money.

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currency coaching

Currency Coaching for Creatives
During our one-hour session, we will:
• Review 25 funding avenues
• Determine the best route for your needs.
• Provide you with a customized fundraising report tailored to you and your business!

1:1 coaching

$150

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Group coaching on Monday's

$30

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Monthly or bi-weekly coaching
is available upon request.

GRANT GUIDES

A Grant Guide is a step by step report on how, when, and where to apply for grant funding.
• 30 evergreen grant listings
• Support templates
• Custom tracking systemAvailable Guides:
Creative
Artist, Arts Non Profit, Filmmaking,
Music, Dance, Creative Writing,
Poetry, Woodworking
Locations
Every US state + Canada
Specialty
LGBTQQIP2SAA, Veteran,
Women, BIPOC, Non Profit, Churches

^$1,000

Enter the Store

Custom reports available upon request.

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Resource Library

FREEBIES

We follow a
"FULL or FREE policy".
Which means our packages are full price, no refunds. Not ready for 1:1 work yet? Use these great freebies to get started on your own.

Notion

Writing

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Website

Design

Business

Budget

Loom

Accounting

Even More

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RESOURCES

Get a free PDF download with newsletter subscription + more support at our new blog!

MM Blog

Freebie/News

Frequently asked questions

💬
F.A.Q.'S

Get answers to the questions we get on the regular below.

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1. Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR HELP WITH APPLYING FOR A GRANT?

A: Grant service project fees start at $1000 and go to $10,000 depending on the complexity of the project.

2. Q: WHAT TYPE OF GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE?

A: General Operations Grant, General Purpose Grant, Matching or Challenge Grant, Endowment Grant, Seed Money or Start Up Funds.

3. Q: WHAT CAN A GRANT PAY FOR?

A: Grants can fund things like: staff salaries, equipment, office space, utilities, travel meetings, + more. Sometimes grant funding can mean achieving your mission with full capacity.

4. Q: HOW MANY HOURS DOES IT TAKE TO FINISH AN APPLICATION?

A: Federal : 40-60, Specialized : 100-180, Foundation : 4-8, Corporate: 4-8, State : 10-20, Individuals : 2-8.

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5. Q: WHAT'S A GRANT?

A: Money you don’t have to pay back — but you have to qualify, and each opportunity has its own requirements. For example, nonprofit or not-for-profit orgs need a Letter of Determination from the IRS proving tax-exempt status. For-profit businesses can apply for certain grants if they are eligible. Mint Maven, LLC works with female owned, creative, for profit orgs to apply for grants.

6. Q: WHAT IS CREATIVE PLACEMAKING?

A: Americans For The Arts defines Creative Placemaking as the use of arts and culture by diverse. partners to strategically shape the physical and social character of a place in order to spur. economic development, promote enduring social change and improve the physical. environment.

7. Q: DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN?

A: Do you know the donor’s prerequisites? Can you present a well-crafted idea, excellent research, collaboration, innovation, and why you need the proposed funds? Grant writing is a skilled trade. If you can paint a masterpiece with words alone you're a shoe in. Practice make progress here!

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8. Q: CAN I PAY A PROFESSIONAL A PERCENTAGE OF MY GRANT WINNINGS VS PAYING FOR THE SERVICE SEPARATELY?

A: NO. Two professional organizations, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Grant Professionals Association, bar grant writers from taking a percentage of the grant, also known as working on commission. If you choose the opposite route, it carries a high risk for implications of the financial status of a non, or for profit + the grant writer.

9. Q: WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF SUCCESS?

A: If you apply by yourself your chances of winning are less than 1 in 10. Applying for a grant with 2 people (you + me) your chances of winning go up by 75%. If you apply to 5-10 grants a cycle, you will most likely win at least 1! Preparation, relationship building, + merit are key.

10. Q: WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 OBSTACLES TO EARNING GRANT FUNDING?

A: • Lack of knowledge/time or staff
• Fierce competition
• Difficulty finding grant prospects

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People we love

🧩
Partners

Earning grant funding is a complicated process with many needs. That's why we work with these trusted partners to facilitate additional support!

Let’s plant some creative seeds together and help our community grow!

Good Fruit knows that small businesses, and nonprofits don’t always have a budget to create professional content that facilitates growth. If you’re doing good things, they want to help you.Fruit Snacks are short videos (usually 1-2 minutes) intended to help showcase what your organization does so you can spread that message more effectively with the community at large.

A curated database of free opportunities for creatives

"Our mission is to revolutionize the field of creativity through collaboration over competition."After hearing the struggles and ideas of so many musicians, and artists, the Creative Baggage team decided to focus their energies on finding practical solutions to improve the lives of their creative community. The database "For the Lost Creative" launched in September 2022 thanks to the generous support from diverse partners.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Electronic
Press Kit

EPK

A picture is worth a thousand words!

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Kimberly Lavon

MA, CD, CEO | MINT MAVEN

I founded Mint Maven in 2022 as the Creative Director + CEO of the agency. Prior to my work here, I was the Creative Director of Thimble Media: Brand Identity + Strategy. Before that I was the Fine Artist/Print Shop Owner of Kimberly Lavon INK. During my tenure there worked on projects with esteemed clients: The Detroit Institute of Art + Lululemon. I took part in creative placemaking nation wide for over 2 decades + represented 89,000 creatives state wide at Michigan Art Advocacy Day. I am a Masters graduate of Savannah College of Art + Design where I majored in Advertising, + Undergraduate of Kendall of Art + Design where I studied Fine Art Printmaking + Graphic Design. I currently live in Lansing, Michigan with my cat Sherlock. When I'm not busy with research + writing, you can find me eating popcorn + watching movies at home. 🍿 🎥 🏠

📚 PUBLICATIONS

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📹 Video

Work with Mint Maven!

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Testimonials

We've gotten to work with some
pretty amazing businesses and people!
Take a look at what people have to say.

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OJASWE

Mint Maven is a wealth of experience and expertise around grant writing. She helped us put together a grant playbook and greatly simplified and sped up our process to apply for grants. Thanks for all the help!

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EVRGRN

Working with Kimberly and Mint Maven is like teaming up with your own personal superhero. At every step of her process I was blown away by the speed at which she works and the high quality of the work itself. Not to mention her ability to make the complex world of grants (which I had absolutely no idea about) seem like very doable is just one more aspect of her superpowers. All of that put together makes me feel like I made a very very good choice by asking her to help me find funding.

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Honey Bun Bakery

Kimberly has been such a gem to work with! I went into the world of grants blind and she definitely was a light in the darkness in helping me understand how to navigate this world. Grants aside, I've also made a LOT of useful connections in the Lansing area specifically to help me grow my business. I am FOREVER grateful for this relationship I have gained.

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Know Buddies Designs

I thought I was sleeping because Mint Maven made my dreams come true. I’m absolutely blown away by the service, clarity, and quality provided. Thank you Kimberly!