What do you do if you need to secure more grant funding?

To secure more grant funding, consider building a portfolio and structuring an ESG reporting system that demonstrates your organization's long-term impact model and systems change theory. A robust systems change theory not only attracts grant-making organizations but also helps you understand the current state of the ecosystem you aim to impact. This understanding is crucial for attracting the right partners to develop a solid impact model, which in turn will not only secure more grant funding but also enable scaling funding and generating larger projects over the long term. Grant-making organizations deeply value how their funds drive sustainable change, which should be evidenced through clear impact metrics and coherent change systems.

It is essential to understand that a funder expects your project to align with their vision. When I was in school for my grant writing certificate, someone gave me the advice to shape my project to fit the funders vision when writing my proposal. If your aim is to modify your proposal to fit their vision, you will damage your reputation. Funders expect you to do as expected.

Unlocking greater grant funding hinges on investing in specialized personnel dedicated to grant administration. While many organizations recognize the crucial nature of securing additional grants, they often overlook the critical step of recruiting skilled grant writers and administrators. Relying solely on existing staff for these tasks can result in burnout and compromised grant outcomes, including lapsed funds. Prioritizing the recruitment of qualified professionals ensures more successful grant projects and maximizes funding impact.

I worked in healthcare for over 20 years, strategically plans were in place for every service program, as well as other services secured with about a third of grant funds for total organizational funding. Scopes of work, work as a short cut to determine whether or not the funding scope fits within the organizational structure. Small grants provide seed money for determining whether there is a need and community support. Funders will ask “why” you need their money and there’s many organizations competing for the same funds.

Once you've identified potential grants, consider reaching out to organizations or individuals who have previously been awarded those grants. Their insights can provide valuable guidance on the application process and what reviewers are looking for. Additionally, networking with professionals in your field can uncover lesser-known funding opportunities or potential collaborators who can strengthen your proposal. Lastly, don't overlook the importance of crafting a compelling narrative that clearly articulates your project's goals, impact, and sustainability.

It is very important that even after you know your needs, and the grant seems to match, you must read it over again. Just don't read it once and begin. Reread and highlight key points as you read. Put it down for a few hours and read again. You might find a font style that is needed, a MOU that you never needed before, or something buried in the index that even says who is actually allowed to apply for funding. Then give yourself time to do the research needed to present your best case.

My example for research and knowing ALL funding possibilities to reduce out of pocket expenses for any company. I worked for a health organization nonprofit. I married money in order to get as close to total project costs. Planning money $50K State funding $250K Federal funding $500K In-kind contributions $200K = $1.M Self-sustaining = income service will generate as a result of funding.

1. Start early 2. Do your research 3. Follow instructions 4. Reach out 5. Get personal 6. Showcase the fit 7. Explore outside your field 8. Persistence pays off Securing grants involves strategic planning, persistence, and effective communication by following these steps.

Crafting a persuasive grant proposal requires a deep understanding of how to communicate the innovative and impactful aspects of your project. It’s essential to tailor each submission to reflect the unique objectives of the funder, emphasizing how your project aligns with their mission. Detailing the innovative nature of your work and the significant outcomes it aims to achieve can make your proposal stand out. Furthermore, illustrating the strength of your consortium is crucial; showing that you have a team with the right expertise and a proven track record not only boosts credibility but also builds trust. —> A thoroughly prepared proposal should clearly articulate the value of the project and the competence of its execution team

Building relationships with grantmakers goes beyond simply seeking financial support. It's about showcasing your organization's mission and values, and demonstrating how they align with potential funders' goals. By engaging in genuine conversations and highlighting the broader impact of your work, you're not only positioning your organization as a strong candidate for funding but also opening doors to potential partnerships and collaborations. This approach shows grantmakers that you're focused on long-term impact and are not just seeking funds for the sake of it. It's all about cultivating meaningful connections and demonstrating that your organization is the perfect fit for their support.

In my experience this entails leveraging personal connections, attending events, and utilizing online platforms to raise awareness about the organization's mission and solicit support. It’s critical to cultivate these relationships through continuous communication, updates on your organization's progress highlighting opportunities for potential donors involvement. Effective networking allows not-for-profits to expand their donor base by building trust which ultimately increases their fundraising success.

Cultivating relationships with your stakeholders is key to landing grants. Rather than seeking a grant by merely applying, think about who is on the receiving side of the application. What do they care about? What would they like to see? What would make them feel like they are moving the needle? When you have answers to those questions, share accomplishments relevant to their interests in real-time. Send them photos of your events, press releases, or anything that might make them smile. It will go a long way in showing that you are trustworthy, and your organization is using their investment wisely and they are more than a wallet. Treat them like people and see how much easier it is to get their support!

Collaboration works to avoid competition. Knowing your community or the local service providers, all target the same population benefit from sharing resources. Letters of commitment, for either staff or services become a cost sharing option for the company or larger organization to avoid competing and monopolizing smaller businesses. People want to help and may already have things in place to save time and bring energies to the services. Foundation money may have a focus that a business can use, small pot of money, but still a beginning to a much larger funding source with similar interests.

In addition to following up, which shows sincere interest in a partnership, it's always a great idea to follow up even after a solicitation has been declined. Thanking the reviewers for their time, praising the good work being funded in the community, and asking for ways in which you can strengthen your applications in the future all leave great impressions and are a positive reflection of your organization. Make every interaction count.

Being able to have an adoptive working environment and creating a culture that is adoptive to positive changes and improvements. Donors have specific expectations and requirements that a grantee or fund recipient is expected to meet in order to give assurance to the donor that the funds will be managed accordingly to the activity proposal. So having an adoptive culture that is open to positive changes and improvements will definitely help- attract more funding.

Maintaining a positive outlook is crucial in the competitive landscape of grant writing. With grantmakers meticulously scrutinizing applications, it's important to remain optimistic while being mindful of the smallest details. Recognizing that grant writing is a highly competitive endeavor where even minor errors can be decisive, your positivity should be complemented by a keen attention to detail. Celebrate the milestones, learn from setbacks, and continuously refine your approach. By staying confident and attentive, you can navigate the challenges effectively and increase your chances of securing valuable funding for your organization.

Don’t rely solely on one type of grant or funder! All too often we find ourselves exploiting one sector for comfortability. Exploring a mix of funding sources including federal, state, local, private foundations, and corporate grants can help diversify your funding sources and can be used as match for one another. Consider diversifying into non-grant sources as well, such as fundraising events, individual donations, or earned income opportunities. Develop a sustainability plan for your programs!