It can be disheartening to put time and energy into writing a grant proposal, only to find out it didn’t get funded. Competitively, it’s par for the course, but there are definitely some things you can do to increase your chances of getting those well needed funds you’re seeking.
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From the eyes and ears of an external grant reviewer, here are some of the most common reasons why your grant proposal may not have been funded:
1. Misalignment – Most of the grants that are allocated by foundations, government and private funders are pretty specific about the distribution of funds. The types of projects, programs and activities should be appropriate to the proposal request. Before submitting a grant proposal make sure to take the time to learn more about the granting agency and the particulars of how the grant will be awarded. The best case scenario is to identify grants that are suited for the work of your organization. In some cases, the work that you are doing can be tailored to fit the elements of the grant. The thing you don’t want to do is to submit a grant that doesn’t present appropriately as you are likely wasting time that could be dedicated to researching more appropriate grant opportunities.
2. Poor Presentation and Formatting – Grants can be tedious to put together. In a haste to get through the process, many non-profits fail to tell a compelling story. Grant proposals should be formatted in such a way that anyone with or without knowledge of your organization is able to understand what you do, how you do it as well as your outcomes and objectives. If you’ve never written a grant, do a bit of research to find some examples. Sometimes, funding agencies will share well-written proposals that have been funded in the past. Your proposal should make logical sense. It should flow and be easy for the reader to get to know the work that you do. Rushed proposals often read rushed. And remember, if an external reviewer has sifted through eight or nine proposals, you want yours to be the one to stand out.
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3. Disproportionate Budget Allocations – When it comes to the budget, the first tip is to know what the grant will and will not fund and to make sure you stay within those parameters. The second tip is to make sure the budget is not top heavy, particularly in the area of salaries. Even as an allowable expense, it looks better to have a reasonable budget that is spread out across categories. If there is an unusually high expense, it causes a red flag. If it’s justified, take the time to explain why it’s necessary.
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4. Lack of a True Sustainability Plan– While your organization may receive funding over several funding cycles, it’s important to have a sustainability plan that shows how your organization will support itself beyond this grant. Show the funder that you have developed a strategic plan that includes fundraising for your organization.
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5. Failure to Follow Instructions – Beyond the fore-mentioned, one of the easiest ways to get your proposal dismissed is not following instructions. For the best success, make sure you read through the proposal carefully to ensure that you have addressed everything that was asked of you.
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External reviewers are brought in to provide unbiased objectivity to the funding process. There are a lot of really great organizations and causes, so to position yourself for the best success when submitting a grant proposal, take the time to do the following:
- Align your mission and vision with the right funding opportunity;
- Share your story in a compelling way;
- Budget carefully;
- Develop a sustainability plan; and
- Make sure to follow instructions.
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