How do you identify the best grant opportunities for your project?

1 Know your project

Before you start looking for grants, you need to have a clear and realistic understanding of your project's objectives, activities, outcomes, and budget. This will help you narrow down your search and focus on grants that match your project's scope, scale, and impact. You should also identify your project's unique value proposition, or what makes it stand out from other similar projects in your field or area. This will help you craft a compelling and persuasive grant proposal that showcases your project's relevance, feasibility, and potential.

2 Know your grantmaker

Once you have a list of potential grants that suit your project's needs, you need to research and analyze each grantmaker's background, priorities, preferences, and expectations. You can find this information on their website, annual reports, newsletters, social media, or previous grant recipients. You should look for clues that indicate their mission, vision, values, goals, and criteria for funding projects. You should also pay attention to their application process, deadlines, requirements, and guidelines. By knowing your grantmaker, you can tailor your grant proposal to their specific interests, needs, and standards.

3 Know your competition

Another important factor to consider when identifying the best grant opportunities for your project is the level and nature of competition. You should assess how many and what kind of applicants are likely to apply for the same grant, and how your project compares to them in terms of quality, innovation, and impact. You should also evaluate the grantmaker's funding history, patterns, and trends, and see if they favor certain types of projects, organizations, or regions over others. By knowing your competition, you can estimate your chances of success and decide whether to pursue or skip a grant opportunity.

4 Know your resources

Finally, you need to know your resources and limitations when applying for grants. You should consider how much time, money, and human capital you have available to dedicate to the grant application process, and whether you have the necessary skills, expertise, and experience to complete it successfully. You should also weigh the benefits and costs of applying for a grant, and whether it is worth the effort and investment. By knowing your resources, you can prioritize and allocate them wisely and efficiently to the most promising grant opportunities.

5 Know your feedback

One of the best ways to improve your grant identification and application skills is to seek and use feedback from various sources. You can ask for feedback from your colleagues, peers, mentors, or consultants who have experience or knowledge in grant administration. You can also request feedback from the grantmakers themselves, either before or after submitting your grant proposal. You can use feedback to refine your project design, clarify your grant proposal, and learn from your mistakes and successes. By knowing your feedback, you can enhance your grant performance and outcomes.

6 Know your opportunities

Finding the best grant opportunities for your project is not a one-time or linear process. It is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires constant monitoring, updating, and adapting to the changing grant landscape and environment. You should always be on the lookout for new and emerging grant opportunities that may arise from various sources, such as websites, databases, newsletters, networks, or referrals. You should also be flexible and ready to adjust your project and grant proposal to fit the grantmaker's needs and expectations. By knowing your opportunities, you can seize and maximize them for your project's success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?