What can we learn from Mandisa about winning grants?

Oh, I’ve seen it!? A business hears about grants in the news or somewhere on the Net and wants to apply.? That nonprofit founder that’s never gone after a federal grant before but is so assured that because he or she “thinks I can win” (having no knowledge of the prep that goes into federal grants), they will.? So, here we are on a Zoom call.? I ask the prospect “What’s your ‘theory of change’?” “How do you measure impact?” or “What research informs your business or service model?” …….and animals and insects show up – crickets and deer-in-the-headlights! ?? ??If you thought to yourself, “What the heck is he talking about?” then this article is for you, bud.

Annually in America, about $1.7 trillion dollars is awarded in grants.? $721B is in federal grants with about $485B available in private grants.? Even when you remove “mandatory grants” (about one-third of the federal grants that are not open to the public to apply for but mandated by government agencies to pay for essential things that make our society run, according to my estimation), the remaining total in the bucket (“discretionary grants”) goes through a super competitive process to win.? There’s so much money available in grants each year, it’s freakin’ ridiculous!!!!!? So, I totally can understand how an unassuming business or nonprofit will see an RFP and want to respond.?

Yet, research shows that less than 10% of all grant applications get funded.? So, most folks who apply won’t even get the money.? Why?? Removing the issue of racism as inherent bias for minority applicants (that’s a whole ‘nother discussion) along with limited funding within some grant cycles, essentially the answer boils down to this – lack of grant readiness and misalignment with funder goals.?

It amazes me how many businesses and nonprofits want grants but haven’t done their homework.? Honestly, many don’t even value or respect the grant readiness process.? They live their “best entrepreneurial or nonprofit life” trying to take short cuts.? But once you start peeling back the layers of their operations, there you see it – “a shiny red Corvette” of an entity in presentation with a bunch of frayed wires and electrical tape holding the engine up when you lift the hood!?

And you wonder why your grants don’t get funded?? Just like in school, those who respect the teacher, listen in class, and do their homework, pass the test.? Yeah, you may slide by once, but trust that’s not gonna be the norm.? It’s like the fallen American Idol and Grammy-winning Singer Mandisa said in her hit song “What If We Were Real”:

“We keep trying to make it look so nice.

And we keep hiding what’s going on inside.

But what if I share my brokenness, what if you share how you feel?

What if we weren’t afraid of this crazy mess?? What if we were real?”

What’s real is that those who respect grant readiness win grants.? What’s real is that those who do their grant homework know that you don’t even have to wait until the grant announcement comes out.? You can get ready early and step up to the front of the line when the grant goes live.? What’s real is that some say, “There’s free grant readiness templates out there on the Internet; why should I pay someone to help me?” ?But those who get help that is customized for their specific organization’s needs (aligning with the goals and nuances of the funder) are best positioned to win!? It’s like going to court; baby, you can go alone but when you go with a lawyer your chances of winning are so much better!?

So, are you grant ready?? Do you have a customized strategy to compete at the highest levels of grants?? Most grants come out annually at peak times.? Do you know these times and have a game plan to win?? If not, I can help you.? Send me a connection request. Email me at [email protected].

Tim Butler "The Grant Professor,"?is the Co-Founder/CEO?of?Capital Fundraising Solutions (CFS).? CFS is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based grant writing/fundraising consulting firm that serves all 50 states remotely.? We help businesses and nonprofits challenged in accessing capital get high-ROI funding by focusing on "grant readiness education."? I've raised $3M with my clients receiving as high as $35 for every $1 they spent on grant writing (average client ROI sits around $17-$20 for every $1) and over $12K for every $1 spent on grant content review.? Email me to schedule a free intro consultation.