Improving Your Chance of Grant Success: Advice from Funders
I recently attended the Association of Fundraising Professionals Quad Cities Chapter annual Lunch and Learn that invited community grant funders to share their advice and perspectives with grant seekers. Always my favorite event – and by far the chapter’s largest, it provides a good opportunity to put faces to names, hear directly from the funders, and learn that they, indeed, are human and approachable.
While each funder had their own priorities and process, some overarching themes emerged. These themes serve as good reminders to more seasoned grant professionals and good lessons for more novice grant seekers.
Build a relationship with the funder. Period. Hard stop. Every aspect of successful grant seeking starts and ends with a strong relationship with the funder. Want to know if your project or organization fits their priorities? Build a relationship and ask them. What to know why they didn’t fund your grant? Build a relationship and ask them. Need to adjust your grant post-funding or having trouble meeting your goals? Leverage your relationship and ask them.
Learn their priorities. Before calling a funder, learn everything you can about them. While foundation staff exist to partner with organizations like yours, show your respect by doing your homework first. Then, call to begin building a relationship.
Keep your funders informed. Most want to partner with you. Share your successes and challenges with them – before and after you receive funding. They want to see you – and your project – succeed. They cannot help you if they first hear of a challenge in your final report. They also bring a broader perspective of the community and nonprofit sector and may know ways you can overcome a barrier.
Treat them like you would any major gift donor – because they are. Do your homework to identify the best prospects. Introduce them to your organization and mission. Give them opportunities to see your mission – and their investment in it – in action. Thank them for their grants. Show them what a difference their grant makes for the people – or mission – you serve.
Submit on time. Deadlines exist for a reason. Only on very rare occasions – and mostly because of a more global issue than you got sick or busy – will a funder change a deadline, and more likely for everyone, not just for you. Plan ahead – and submit early.
Treat your funders with respect. This should go without saying, but you will likely experience disappointment; even your best written and well argued application won’t get funded. Every panelist noted that they receive requests many times more than they can fund. Get your frustration and disappointment out before you call the funder. One noted that he has had numerous applicants call and berate him. Funders talk; you do not do yourself any favors with this type of behavior.
Build relationships with your funder. Important enough to read it twice. Nearly every other piece of advice comes down to this simple act. These people want you to succeed. So help them.
