Confessions of a Development Director: I Don't Know Where to Begin with Grant Writing

The Confession: 

I was just hired as a development director, and I am tasked with increasing our fundraising by nearly 50% this year. I have very limited fundraising experience, and I feel ill-equipped. I am trying to help myself, so I did some research, and it looks like grant funding provides me with the greatest likelihood of short-term success, but I have no grant writing knowledge. I feel very alone.  HELP!

- Lisa (Mobile, AL)

Kevin's Response:

Lisa,  

You are not alone! Our nonprofit community is here with you, and I am happy to be a guidepost. Grants are misunderstood even by many fundraising professionals, so let me try to give you a no-frills download.  

A grant is basically funding received from the government, a corporation, or a foundation (private, community, public, operating, etc.). These funds or gifts are given after a thoroughly vetted presentation for a specific project or need to achieve defined outcomes. Project-specific and outcome-focused fundraising is very different from any other fundraising, and it takes a certain amount of mindset shifting. As you can see, grants typically assume that a project is established and that the outcomes can be predicted, making grants a less-than-ideal choice for new nonprofits and early-stage projects unless the founder has a history to draw from or an idea so innovative, it can stand on its own.  

I do not know what your organization does or how successful the programs are, but if you have been around for 3+ years and have quantitative and qualitative results for the work you do…you are moving in the right direction.  

The outcomes that will be achieved should be the primary focus when searching for grants, as those outcomes should align with the funder's goals and areas of support. When you search for grants, the goals and objectives of the foundation will be very clear, and you should be able to research other funded programs to get a more detailed picture of their philanthropic priorities. The decision-makers at foundations are usually tasked with making sure the funding provided is spent wisely and achieves the intended outcomes. Thus, the reason for reports following grant funding are often at multiple stages.

While some funders will give money for capital campaigns, operating funds, salaries, etc. I want to stress to you emphatically that those are the exception rather than the rule. I cannot stress enough how important it is for your grant application success to have your regular minimum operating revenue covered by other types of fundraising or revenue generation. Think of the grant as rocket fuel, not as seed money. The grant should take your already existing program to the next level.  

Grant applications are petitions for funds, so programs don’t have to be fully funded, but if you have it at least 50% funded. If you are seeking the funds to complete the program, you are significantly more likely to stand out amidst the other applications.  

Research and grant applications can be a time-consuming process with no guaranteed results. Rather than start from scratch each time, compile the components requested by many funders. Take our mini-course to gain more knowledge on grant writing or contract with us directly for our grant writing services.