Hacking Luck in Grant Writing: The Unwritten Rules of Funding and 4 Ways to Stack the Odds

Let’s be honest: sometimes winning a grant feels like trying to charm a seagull into NOT stealing your sandwich—it’s unpredictable, borderline mystical, and occasionally downright infuriating. But there’s good news. While none of us can code a perfect “luck algorithm,” we can tilt the odds in our favor. Think of it as turning your “luck surface area” from a tiny postage stamp into a deluxe king-sized bed. Here’s how:

1. Increase Your “Dice Rolls”

Translation: Submit. More. Proposals.

No, I’m not suggesting you spam every grant portal with half-baked ideas. But if you’re only pitching once a year, your chances of hitting the jackpot are as slim as discovering a $100 bill in your sweatpants pocket. (Yes, it happens—but not often.) A quality pipeline of multiple grant applications boosts the likelihood that at least one will land. The more times you roll the dice, the greater your shot at rolling a six.

2. Expand Your Network (a.k.a. The “Serendipity Engine”)

Translation: Talk to people outside your usual orbit.

Sometimes, luck disguises itself as “the random person next to me in line for coffee.” Maybe they’re reviewing proposals for the exact grant you’re after, or they know someone who is. The more conversations you spark—whether at conferences, webinars, or even on LinkedIn—the more “accidental” luck tends to happen. It’s like leaving your front door open for opportunities to just walk in (though maybe lock it after 10 p.m.?).

3. Be Ready When Lightning Strikes

Translation: Prepare for success before you see it.

Ever notice how “lucky” folks always seem suspiciously prepared when opportunity knocks? That’s because they’ve done their homework, sharpened their skills, and refined their pitch before the perfect chance shows up. It’s the old “luck = preparation + opportunity” cliché. So yes, perfect your executive summary now, line up your budget clarifications, and gather your team’s CVs. That way, when Lady Luck says “Hey, I’ve got an opening,” you’re not rummaging frantically for that file named “GrantAppVersion27-FINAL-FINAL(1).docx.”

4. Diversify Your Portfolio (Yes, Like Investments)

Translation: Don’t bet everything on one shiny idea.

Sprinkle your brilliance across a few different project angles or funding sources. Why? Because if one idea doesn’t resonate with a specific grant committee, another just might. Spreading out your proposals is like ordering a sampler platter at a restaurant: you’re more likely to find something that pleases everyone, including your soon-to-be-favorite grant officer.

A Final Word on “Luck”

We joke about luck as if it’s some capricious, magical force. But most “lucky” breaks are actually the result of consistent effort, strategic relationship-building, and a willingness to experiment. It’s the culmination of showing up, putting your best ideas forward, and pivoting fast when you see a spark of possibility.

So, fellow grant-chasers, let’s embrace that little bit of cosmic randomness. Expand your horizons, refine your craft, and keep those proposals rolling. You never know when you’ll stumble into the perfect alignment of timing, reviewer mood, and your big idea’s moment to shine.

Here’s to making our own luck (and maybe a little extra from the universe).