Before you pursue a grant, you need to make sure that the time and cost required are worth the potential return. Some grants require rigorous reporting and data collection (something you may not have the capacity to do). Others might not offer enough money or require matching funds that you can’t afford.
This need for ROI goes both ways. Grantmakers want to ensure that the funds they provide will be used efficiently and will support activities with demonstrable results. Requesting funds for certain items and expenses can raise red flags for a grantmaker.
In general, the following requests are the LEAST LIKELY to be funded:
A generic list of equipment (especially if it’s not tied to a specific project or program)
Staffing (should be covered by your organization)
Unrestricted, general operating expenses (should be covered by your org)
Construction funds (this is what loans and/or capital campaigns are for)
These types of requests may signal to a grant maker that your organization is too immature or unstable to be trusted with their money. There are exceptions to every rule. Some grantmakers even make a point of funding these unpopular requests! Generally speaking, though, these proposals are “tough sells.”
Instead, proposals should center on new projects or programs (or expansion of current services). The emphasis here is growth. What innovative, exciting, initiative do you need help launching? Why is the grantmaker’s support critical to your success?
The type of funder also matters. According to GrantStation's 2017 “State of Grantseeking" report, the percentage of applicants awarded varies significantly by funder type.
Private foundations (75%)
Community foundations (63%)
Corporations (52%)
State Government (42%)
Local Government (36%)
Federal Government funding (33%)
Other funding sources (13%)
Applying to small and private funders can increase your chances of winning…but only if your organization is eligible. Typically, 501(c)3’s are the preferred recipients.
Need some help deciding if your grant idea is fundable? Use the free assessment below.
Fundability Rating: A Self-Check Guide
Is your grant proposal idea a winner? Answer with a “Yes” or “No” to find out.
____ Is this a new project or a program? Or, at least, an expansion of services?
____ Does it align with the grantmaker’s mission and interests?
____ Can you prove there is a genuine need for your proposed activities
(backed up by data, records, or research)?
4. ____ Is that need externally focused (directly benefiting the community) instead
of internally focused (only benefiting your organization)?
5. ____ Do you have SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and
time-bound) objectives?
6. ____ Do you have an itemized budget?
7. ____ Do you have a sustainability plan? (a way to continue funding this work after
the grant money runs out)
8. ____ Have you identified the staff members who will oversee this grant? (4 points total)
A. ___ Have they agreed to their roles and responsibilities?
C. ___ Are they qualified? Can you prove it?
9. ____ Has anyone on your proposal team managed a grant before?
10. ____ Does your organization and/or department have a successful track record?
(audited financial statements, a list of current funders, results from the past
year of performance –e.g. # of people who benefitted from your efforts, etc.)
TOTAL # of “YES” Answers: ______
SCORE:
11–13 “Yes”: Your proposal is fundable! Let’s get started!
8–10 “Yes”: Your proposal needs some revision in order to be fundable.
1–7 “Yes”: Your proposal needs significant revision in order to be fundable.