March 10, 2026
The Impact Issue #103: Conveying Urgency In Your Grant Applications
Learn how to actually communicate critical needs in this week’s issue.
Hi there!
We all know there are urgent needs in our communities, and it’s up to us to convey that sense of urgency in a way that inspires action.
The trick is doing it without coming off too strong. Otherwise, we may unintentionally come across like used car salesmen—saying whatever it takes to close the deal.
It’s a delicate balance, and in this week’s issue, we’ll teach you how to strike it.
We’ll share tips to help you explain your urgency, places to source data to back up your claims, and advice for writing clear goals and objectives that underpin it all. We also provide new grants, learning opportunities, and so much more.
Grab your coffee and let’s get into it.
Welcome to The Impact.
Don’t Miss Out!
Winning the grant is exciting, but managing all the follow-up work can quickly become overwhelming.
Join non-profit management executive and generative AI advisor Susan Mernit for a deep dive into how leading nonprofit teams are using AI to make grant management easier and more efficient.
On March 19, you’ll learn how to:
- Gain internal buy in for incorporating AI into post award processes
- Match the right large language models to specific grant management tasks
- Apply 5 proven ways top nonprofits rely on to streamline reporting and reduce administrative burden
By the end of this session, you’ll know exactly how to implement AI workflows that keep your team organized and ahead of every post-award requirement.
👉 Secure your spot now – it’s free!
Pitfalls and Pointers
⚠️ Pitfall: Not Backing Up Urgency With Data
We all use words like critical, pressing, dire, crucial, and other action-oriented phrases in our grant proposals to create a sense of urgency.
But does it really?
Using these words without backing them up with the why can feel disingenuous. It may feel exaggerated or generic, which can cause funders to hit pause on your application.
💡 Pointer: Make the Why Behind the Urgency Clear
Everything can feel urgent to us, especially when we see the need in our communities on a daily basis.
However, if everything is urgent, then nothing really is. So when we say something is urgent, we really have to prove it.
Here are some tips:
- Clearly tie the why with the urgency claim. Perhaps there was a recent policy change that caused you to need more funding, or you’ve seen more requests from your community. Explain why now and why your work is necessary. Don’t just say you urgently need funding.
- Make it time-bound. Be clear about any impact on your organization if you don’t get funding. Perhaps you’ll operate at half capacity, or you will have to close one of your locations. If it is truly dire, be specific and provide context.
- Don’t get pushy. Conveying a sense of urgency can come off slimy if you’re not careful. Don’t overexaggerate, use vague buzzwords, or use emotional manipulation. Instead, back up your claims with clear explanations, highlight gaps, lead with solutions, and provide testimonials.
🧨 Explore more on how to convey a sense of urgency to help you win more grants!
Tech You Should Know
What:
The United States Census Bureau provides a comprehensive look at federal, state, and local data. They break it down by topic, tables, maps, and more to help you understand the current landscape and how your work fits into it.
How Grant Writers Can Use It:
- Back up your claims. Use official data to back up your claims and supplement it with your own program data to demonstrate the need for funders.
- Leverage visuals. Use their pre-existing charts and tables to save time on your next grant application.
- Get inspired. Read some of the latest reports or posts to help spark new ideas. It can help you redesign your programming to meet the current needs.
Keep in Mind:
Watch for timeliness. Some reports may be dated and no longer applicable. Be sure to check the date to make sure the findings are still relevant in today’s climate.
📊 Check out the U.S. Census’s latest reports!
Expert Perspectives
🏆 Dr. Bev Browning on Writing Clear Goals and Objectives
Dr. Bev Browning, founder and director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and Bev Browning LLC, knows what it takes to write winning grants. She is the author of 47 grant writing publications and she and her team have helped her clients win more than $750 million—and counting!—in grants.
To her, it all comes back to writing clear goals and objective statements.
Here’s her expert advice:
- Don’t confuse goals with objectives. Your goals should be broad, visionary statements. They should start with strong verbs and leave out any numbers and measurements. Those are for your objectives.
- Get SMART with your objectives. Dr. Browning encourages grant writers to write SMART objectives - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound - with a twist. Also include “as demonstrated by” to add how you’ll measure success. For example, “By the end of [timeframe], increase [what] by [percent]% or more, as demonstrated by [measurement/data].”
- Draft three objectives for every goal. This will help you get specific on what you want to accomplish and how you will do it. The more clarity you can have upfront, the better. It will prevent you from wasting time on chasing misaligned grants.
🎓 Watch Dr. Browning’s masterclass for more insights!
🎁 A Gift for You 🎁
Grant writing is an art, not a science - which is why it can be hard to master.
Thankfully, Instrumentl has your back. We’ve pulled together The Ultimate Grant Writing Resources Collection, featuring all of our top resources in one location, to help you streamline your reading. In it, you’ll find:
- Grant writing tips from experts
- Decision matrices to help you evaluate when to go vs. no-go
- Grants calendar templates to guide your planning
- … and more!
📚 Download The Ultimate Grant Writing Resources Collection today!
Opportunities Spotlight
⭐ Starseed Foundation
Who It’s For: Nonprofits focused on enhancing the arts, music, drama, and environmental education, with priority given to the Pacific Northwest
Next Deadline: Rolling
Grant Amount: $1,000-$15,000
The Details:
The Starseed Foundation provides funding opportunities to organizations committed to enhancing arts and environmental education, improving the quality of life for those in need, and supporting social programs. You must submit a Letter of Inquiry to be considered. The Starseed Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
🚙 Kars4Kids Small Grant Program
Who It’s For: Education-based nonprofits
Next Deadline: Rolling
Grant Amount: up to $5,000
The Details:
Kars4Kids provides funding to help ensure brighter futures for children and their families. They support programs focused on youth development, education, and mentorship to help children across the United States become productive and engaged members of society.
🔍 There’s more where that came from - check them out now!
Networking Nook
📅 Conference: Grant Writing and Research Workshop
May 5-6 | Blowing Rock, NC
Join Funding for Good for a two-day workshop! You will hear from grant experts on the changing grant landscape and learn practical strategies to help you navigate and win more grants. It’s intended to be a “walk away and use it today” kind of conference - so you don’t want to miss it!
To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.
In Case You Missed It
📑 Article: How to Perfect Your Needs Statement
Your needs statement should reflect the why now, demonstrating the urgency that’s critical to land funding. In this article, you’ll get even more tips to help you craft a compelling statement that inspires action.
📼 Video: Create a Collaborative Grant Writing Process (And Win More Grants)
Watch how Instrumentl can help you streamline your grant writing process and enhance your workflow - helping you save precious time and resources.
🎙️ Podcast: 7 Must-Have Skills If You Want To Get Paid In 2026
Join the Grant Writing Unicorn Podcast as they explore how to keep yourself employable amidst the changing job landscape. These seven human skills will help you stay adaptable in the face of uncertainty.
Demonstrate Urgency Effectively
Solving urgent community needs requires funding.
That’s where Instrumentl comes in. We can help you:
- Find the best fit grants. No more wasting time with almost-fits and long-shot grants. Set up your project, and we’ll bring the best-fit grants directly to you based on your needs.
- Track your opportunities. Our all-in-one grants management platform allows you to track upcoming deadlines, assign tasks, and collaborate with your team in one place.
🎉 Sign up today for a free 14-day trial!
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