Your Grant Authority

Have you found yourself frustrated at the lack of positive response from grant funders and don’t know what you’re doing wrong? First, realize that even the best applications just sometimes aren’t funded for reasons totally out of your control. I remember one experience where my application actually scored the highest out of the bunch (more than 150 applications for a city block grant) but wasn’t funded because they had already met their goal of serving that particular group of people we were assisting. They couldn’t advertise that fact ahead of time, I forget why this was the case, but the point is that no matter how awesome my application was I would never have gotten that grant in that particular instance.

So, concentrate on the stuff that IS in your control:

•This sounds so elementary but needs to be clarified – don’t apply for grants where the funder’s goals don’t match your own. The same applies for grants that have regional constraints. Do they serve only the state of New York and your organization is in Alabama? Leave that one to the New Yorkers.
•Stick to the basics. If the application calls for 14 point Helvetica font, then use just that. Send the appropriate number of copies and make sure that all pages requested are in each stack. It’s usually a good idea to just bind your copies rather than stapling because if more copies are needed the funder can easily make his own. Also, don’t send your organization’s nifty new video and 45-page hardback chronicling your 50 year anniversary if the application specifically requests that you send nothing but the application. Just follow instructions. Oh, and always number your pages.
•Never turn in your application later than the deadline specified. Or fax it. Or email it unless directed to do so.
•Call the Foundation if you’re unclear on any instructions. Program officers appreciate your attention to detail and are there to help.

Finally, my mantra, call the Foundation to determine why your application wasn’t funded. That’s exactly how I found out my application had scored number one in the above instance and also why it wasn’t funded. They would have never tracked me down to tell me the reason – it was up to me. And now it’s up to you. Just don’t give up!