Sample note

See exactly what a note looks like.

One full opportunity note, the same format you receive in a pilot. The organization and figures here are illustrative, so you can judge the format, the sourcing, and the honesty of the labels.

Start a $149 pilot
  • VerifiedWhat a primary source states, such as an award amount in USAspending or revenue in a Form 990.
  • InferredA reasonable reading of those facts, stated as a reading and never as a fact.
  • UnknownWhat public records cannot tell you, such as current staffing, existing advisers, or budget for outside help.

Sources a real note checks

  • USAspending award profile
  • Federal Audit Clearinghouse
  • SAM.gov entity record
  • IRS Form 990, latest two to three years
  • The nonprofit’s own website

Illustrative example, not a real organization

Opportunity note

From
AwardNote Research Desk
For
Your firm
Nonprofit

A regional community health nonprofit serving three rural counties. Total revenue of about $4.1M in its latest Form 990, up from about $3.2M two years earlier.

VerifiedForm 990, Part I · checked date listed

Trigger

A new three-year federal grant of about $1.2M from a federal health agency, with a start date this quarter.

VerifiedUSAspending award profile · checked date listed

Federal footprint

Federal grants listed on Form 990 Part VIII line 1e rose year over year. With the new award, federal expenditures could approach the $1,000,000 Single Audit threshold within a fiscal year.

InferredForm 990, Part VIII, and award period · checked date listed

Audit history

One prior Single Audit on file with an unmodified opinion and one finding on reporting.

VerifiedFederal Audit Clearinghouse · checked date listed

Capacity signal

No finance director or controller listed among officers and key employees. Accounting fees reported on Part IX line 11c are small relative to revenue.

VerifiedForm 990, Parts VII and IX · checked date listed

Why now

A larger federal award, a prior reporting finding, and a lean finance function point to new reporting, time and effort, and drawdown work this year.

InferredAward, FAC, and Form 990 · checked date listed

Likely objection

They may already work with an outside bookkeeper or rely on their auditor for year end help.

UnknownNot in public records

Who to approach

Executive Director, named in the latest Form 990 Part VII. Confirm on the organization’s own site before reaching out.

VerifiedForm 990, Part VII · checked date listed

Suggested opening line

“Congratulations on the new three-year award. Grants of that size usually bring new drawdown and reporting work, and we help lean teams set that up early.”

InferredAward record · written for this note

Using a note

From note to first conversation in three steps.

  1. Check the sources

    Every claim links to its record. Open the ones that matter to you before you decide to reach out.

  2. Fill the unknowns

    The Unknown items are your discovery questions, such as who handles the books today.

  3. Reach out your way

    Use the suggested opening line or your own. We do not contact the nonprofit or book meetings for you.

Questions

About the sample.

Is this a real organization?

No. This note is an illustrative example. The organization, figures, and findings are invented to show the format. Notes in a pilot describe real nonprofits and cite real public records.

Where does the information in a real note come from?

From public records such as USAspending award profiles, the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, SAM.gov, and the nonprofit’s Form 990. Each claim lists its source and the date it was checked.

What do the three labels mean?

Verified means a primary source states it. Inferred is a reasonable reading of those facts, stated as a reading. Unknown is what public records cannot tell you, such as current staffing or existing advisers.

How many notes come in the pilot?

Five researched opportunities over 14 days, in two deliveries, for $149 one time with no auto-renewal.

Judge the research for yourself.

$149 pilot · 14 days · 5 opportunities · no auto-renewal

Start a $149 pilot Talk to us