April 9, 2024
The Impact Issue #10: This Grant Writing Stat May Surprise You
Uncover grant success strategies: learn from Dr. Bev Browning, explore grant rejection recovery tips, discover AI tools for nonprofits, and find new funding opportunities.
It’s a saying as old as time: April showers bring grant awards.
Okay, we may have paraphrased a bit. But in the midst of so many grant proposals going out the door this month, it can’t hurt to believe a win or two is on the way.
And we’re here to make it a little easier to get there.
This week, we’ve got tips on responding to grant rejection letters, an AI tool for nonprofits, and a proactively approach to grant prospecting, plus data, opportunities, and more.
Don’t forget your umbrella! ☔
Pitfalls and Pointers
Did you know that only 10 - 20% of all grant applications get approved?
So unless you’re a statistical anomaly, you’ve probably seen your fair share of rejection letters.
And although that rejection may sting today, it can actually get you one step closer to submitting a winning proposal tomorrow.
Let’s talk about it.
⚠️ Pitfall: Disregarding the Rejection
Disappointment and frustration might make you want to forget about the rejection altogether.
But there’s opportunity beyond the Your grant application has not been selected that can help turn that No into your next Yes.
💡 Pointer: Use the Rejection as an Opportunity
After you receive your next rejection (and, yes, you will inevitably get another rejection), take these steps to get back on the horse and go after your next win:
- Build Relationships: Follow up to sincerely thank them for their consideration and maintain communication going forward.
- Ask for Feedback: If their letter didn’t include details as to why your proposal was rejected, ask if there’s anything you can do differently in the future.
- Plan for Reapplication: If they haven’t already invited you to the next application cycle, ask if and when you can reapply in the future.
- Explore Alternative Opportunities: There are thousands of funding opportunities out there! Start thinking about how else you can get your project off the ground.
👉 Check out more tips and a response template to get you started!
Tech You Should Know
Over the past year or so, AI has become almost synonymous with ChatGPT.
However, that’s not the only tool on the market. And depending on what you’re doing, it may not even be the best.
What:
Fundwriter.ai is a writing assistant designed for nonprofit professionals.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Choose a Model: Fundwriter comes pre-loaded with dozens of nonprofit templates, including proposal introductions, thank you letters, professional appeals, and more.
- Add Project Details: Depending on your model, you’ll fill in a few key details about your organization and the message you want to convey.
- Generate a Draft: Hit “Generate”, and you’ll have an original, engaging draft in minutes!
- Finalize: An AI’s first draft should never be your final product. Give it a once over to confirm details and give it that human touch.
Keep in Mind:
- Model Availability: Unlike other AI services, you’re limited to the types of content this platform can produce.
- Cost: After your 14-day free trial, monthly subscriptions start at $29/month for the Basic plan or $89/month for the Professional plan.
Want to learn more about using AI to revolutionize your funding strategy?
Expert Perspectives
🏆 Dr. Bev Browning on proactive grant prospecting
After receiving a large grant from a funder she had an established relationship with, Dr. Bev Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, learned an important lesson.
“Why haven’t you ever given us money before?”, she asked.
Their response?
“Because you never asked.”
Now, she takes a proactive approach to grant prospecting, which has helped her secure more than $3 million in funding for her nonprofit clients.
Here’s her expert advice:
- Choose the Right Time: Before you start asking for money, make sure your nonprofit is grant ready and you have a specific project in mind to fund.
- Find the Right Funder: A funder that matches your organization’s mission and goals is more likely to say yes.
- Cultivate Relationships: Keep up with potential funders by attending events, inviting them to yours, and staying in touch with decision makers.
There’s more advice where that came from.
🔥 Explore more tips from Dr. Bev for a successful fundraising strategy!
The Latest Numbers
We mentioned earlier that only 10 - 20% of grant applications are approved, but that’s not the only data point you should keep in mind when sending proposals.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Large foundations (funding more than $10M annually) have lower application success rates than smaller foundations (under $1M). This is due to their application pools being significantly larger.
- Private foundations represent the largest award source for nonprofit organizations.
- The success rate for federal grant awards was 21% as of 2020.
- Federal grants represent the largest award sources (meaning single grant awards are largest through federal grants).
📊 Check out 30+ other grant statistics to inform your strategy!
Networking Nook
The opportunities that were originally shared in this issue of The Impact have since passed. To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
Opportunities Spotlight
🐝 Bee Grant Program
Who It’s For: Schools or nonprofit organizations serving any grades K-12
Next Deadline: Oct 31, 2024 (Predicted)
Grant Amount: US $500 - US $1,500
The Details:
- Two grant options are available:
- Traditional Bee Grant: Awards monetary or equipment grants to help start or enhance an existing live bee program.
- Renewal Bee Grant: Awards additional monetary support to organizations that have previously received a Bee Grant.
- Schools with live bees must also have a certified beekeeper to serve as the “Bee Mentor” and an individual at the school or organization designated “Bee Advocate”.
🦷 Community and Care Transformation Initiative
Who It’s For: Organizations looking to expand oral health equity for all, especially marginalized communities
Next Deadline: Jun 30, 2024 (Predicted)
Grant Amount: Up to US $125,000
The Details:
- CareQuest Institute will fund 10 projects for up to $125,000 each.
- Examples of projects could include:
- A safety net partner piloting new value-based care procedures.
- A state policy organization advocating for medical/dental integration measures within state Medicaid policy.
- A community-based or grassroots organization arranging community members to participate in advocacy for local or state policy.
- A safety net organization collaborating with community partners to expand and use innovative workforce models.
Looking for a better fit for your project?
🔍 Discover thousands of other grant opportunities here!
In Case You Missed It
📑 Article: 10 Steps Often Missed When Trying to Secure Multi-Year Grants
Winning a multi-year grant means winning long-term success for your project or organization – and that means a lot of people are applying for them. Check out these frequently missed steps to help you win these highly competitive awards.
📼 Video: Unlock the Power of Email Marketing for your Nonprofit in 2024!
Email is a powerful tool for connecting with supporters, but organizations without a strategy could be missing out on key opportunities. In this webinar recording, nonprofit digital marketing expert Matthew Montoya covers everything you need to know.
🎙️Podcast: Measuring What Matters: A Guide to Meaningful Nonprofit Data Metrics
In this episode of Grant Writing Simplified, host Teresa Huff does a deep dive into nonprofit data. Learn everything from when to start collecting data, how to collect it, how to analyze it, and tips for evaluating and adjusting your strategy.
Grant Writing Doesn’t Have to be Intimidating
Discovering, researching, applying, managing, tracking… We know that the grants process includes a lot of steps. That’s why we created Instrumentl – your all-in-one tool to make every step a little (or a lot) easier.
What could it help YOU with?
100% Free Grant Writing Resources Straight to Your Inbox
