Get Started with Grants: Top Tips for Organizations
In the session 10 Things Nonprofits Need to Know About Getting Grants funding expert Rohit Mehta offered helpful advice for nonprofits, grassroots groups and social purpose businesses aiming to secure grant funding. This article is full of key takeaways.
Read on to learn the importance of using data to justify funding needs, the benefits of early submission, and the value of enhancing applications with real-life impact stories. Rohit also provides guidance on avoiding common pitfalls, such as using excessive jargon or comparing achievements with other organizations. This guide covers strategies for finding grant opportunities, ensuring clear communication, and committing to long-term projects for sustainable funding.
Top Tips for Grants in 2024
Rohit emphasized the significance of including statistics or data in grant applications to justify the need for funding within a community. He stressed that evidence should come from sources, such as research and community input rather than just individual perspectives.
Rohit advised against submitting late grant applications due to potential system crashes and decreased attention from reviewers. He recommended applying early to ensure greater visibility and provided insights on addressing technical issues if they arise.
He encouraged utilizing attachments such as testimonials, articles, images, or public recognition when funders allow it. Rohit shared examples where these attachments added value to grant applications by providing real-life impact stories beyond written descriptions. When it comes to videos, Rohit explained that while some funders may accept multimedia attachments like videos or audio clips, many still rely on printed materials due to current practices among reviewers.
Rohit advised against comparing an organization's achievements with others' when applying for grants. He emphasized highlighting an organization's unique accomplishments without concern about appearing too small compared to others.
Rohit emphasized the importance of aligning grant applications with funders' criteria and needs. He highlighted that many organizations fail to submit completed applications on time or meet requirements, which diminishes their chances of success. He encouraged applicants to showcase confidence in their work and emphasize their achievements when applying for grants.
Rohit stressed the significance of creating urgency in grant applications, especially post-pandemic. He advised using persuasive language to convey the essential nature of the grant for addressing challenges faced by organizations. Additionally, he shared an anecdote about how urgency influenced a funding decision during his time as a grant reviewer.
Rohit recommended against starting grant proposals from scratch and suggested utilizing existing resources such as annual budgets, program details from previous years, and maintaining a comprehensive grant archive. He explained that having these resources readily available can streamline the application process and reduce overall effort.
Emphasizing commitment to long-term projects, Rohit discussed how funders assess whether grants are integral parts of ongoing initiatives or merely attempts at accessing funds. He underscored the importance of aligning requested amounts with project scopes while staying true to an organization's mission without deviating into unrelated activities.
Addressing clarity in communication within grants, it was mentioned not to use excessive jargon specific only to certain communities or industries as it may hinder understanding among reviewers. Rohit emphasized the importance of using clear and funder-specific language in grant applications to aid reviewers in understanding the proposal. He highlighted the significance of addressing questions directly, avoiding unnecessary statistics or fluff, and ensuring that responses align with funders' requirements. Additionally, Daniel mentioned character limitations on applications as a factor for concise writing. Highlighting the significance of error-free submissions, Rohit stressed avoiding spelling and grammar mistakes in proposals by utilizing tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word for thorough proofreading before submission.
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Answering your questions on grants
Finding Grant Opportunities
Rohit suggested attending webinars and following social media updates from organizations or DoGood for information on relevant grants. He also recommended prospect research exercises for deeper insights into available grants.
According to Rohit, heavy grant opportunities typically occur in March-April and during fall due to fiscal year ends when governments and corporations release funding opportunities.
To increase the chances of being considered by foundations or corporations, applying before December 31 was recommended by Rohit as many close their fiscal years then.
Rohit mentioned "Grant Connect" as a comprehensive database based on CRRA data accessible through local libraries. He advised staying tuned for more information.
AI Usage in Grant Writing
While AI can be used to reduce time by bridging bullet points within answers, caution is necessary due to potential errors such as hallucinations when generating content. Rohit expressed his belief in using AI sparingly and emphasized the need for thorough verification due to its tendency to make random assumptions.
Funding Sustainability and Readiness
Rohit highlighted the importance of committing to long-term projects when seeking sustainable funding. He suggested developing multi-year plans, conducting feasibility studies, and pilot projects before expanding initiatives. He also recommended applying for grants such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed grant Additionally, he advised smaller or newer nonprofits to engage in coaching calls with funders to determine their readiness for grant applications.
In response to inquiries about how smaller or newer nonprofits can assess their readiness, Rohit recommended engaging in discussions with funders through coaching calls which are often offered free of charge by funders.
Online Presence and Funding Diversification
Addressing queries about grants related to improving online presence amid increased remote operations by many organizations during the pandemic restrictions; Rohit indicated that most grants are applicable regardless of physical location but advised clearly communicating virtual programming offerings when applying.
Emphasizing the unpredictability of future economic conditions and funding availability from traditional sources like grants; Rohit advocated diversifying funding sources through sponsorships, donations, and earned revenue (fees for services). He cautioned against over-reliance on grants alone.
Grant Success Factors
Rohit outlined key elements of successful grant applications including error-free submissions with comprehensive answers within word limits. He stressed that organizations should still pursue grants even if success rates are low as it is a competitive process where resubmission may lead to success in subsequent years.
Based on his experience serving on a grant review committee, Rohit explained that despite submitting high-quality proposals, not all grants may be successful due to competition. However, he encouraged organizations to continue applying and highlighted the potential for previously unsuccessful submissions to become successful upon resubmission.
Funding Requirements and Opportunities
Rohit emphasized the importance of strategic prioritization of funding opportunities, suggesting that nonprofits should prioritize grants based on upcoming deadlines. He also highlighted the benefits of obtaining charity status, as it allows organizations to issue tax receipts and potentially attract more donors. Additionally, he shared insights on standing out in grant writing and recommended tailoring pitch decks specifically for corporate sponsors.
Rohit stressed the necessity of having a nonprofit bank account and a valid mailing address to receive funding and suggested utilizing co-working spaces or renting PO boxes if an organization lacks a physical address within the jurisdiction eligible for specific grants.
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