Lessons from my first grant proposal…

I believe we should always strive to learn. One of the great benefits of grant consulting is the privilege of learning from experts across different fields. My role is to ask tough questions, like, “Where do you see this initiative in five years?” to help shape a grant. While I enjoy research and writing, my favorite part is seeing a nonprofit leader’s eyes light up as we connect the dots to fund their mission.

It wasn’t too long ago that I had that moment myself for the first time. Spoiler alert: I didn’t get the grant… the first time around. But this story ends happily, with a $75,000 award for DEI programming at a youth center. The lessons I learned along the way shaped me into the grant writer I am today.

Lesson #1 The Importance of Preparation

I had an incredible mentor in my first fundraising role. She had a wealth of knowledge and experience, and where she didn’t have the answer, she always knew where to direct my questions. Our goal was to submit our organization’s first grant application to a regional foundation specializing in helping children and adults with disabilities. Initial introductions can be daunting, but luckily, we had friends.

My mentor helped set up a meeting with a mutual contact who shared valuable insights into the grant process. I remember feeling like we had an edge, but I missed a crucial step: not asking for a personal introduction.

This isn’t always an option, especially for smaller nonprofits or startups. You may struggle to find volunteers for your board, let alone someone willing to make these connections. However, if the option is available, it is a massive opportunity to get ahead. Grant funding is a competitive game, so it is important to take advantage of any opportunity to get your foot in the door.

As a grants consultant, this is the first place I start. Everyone knows someone who knows someone. Time is the most valuable resource in the preparation phase, especially as more people become involved in the process. A streamlined grant process will help your organization to stay on track, make connections, meet deadlines, and coordinate effectively towards your goals. 

Lesson #2: Clear Communication is Essential

Expectations without communication are a one-way ticket to organizational disaster. I was absolutely shell-shocked by the amount of emails, meetings, and conversations that went into my first grant. After my initial meeting with the mutual contact, I energetically dove into the grant-writing process. This is a topic for another blog post, but it started with an outline where I overlooked two key aspects.

In my fundraising roles, I often say that everyone is involved in fundraising. Not everyone will make an ask, and not everyone should. However, someone with great office management skills may organize a call-a-thon, or a well-connected board member may make connections to potential donors. Grant fundraising is similar in that everyone has a role to fulfill.

As a consultant, I am an outsider. There are benefits to entering an organization with fresh eyes, but I try to catch up on important details quickly. Whatever kind of grant we are applying for, it almost always includes more than just the Executive Director. For capital grants, the staff person involved in finance or the campaign chair will be engaged. Alternatively, for program grants, I find the best success when I work with a larger group of programming staff. This not only strengthens the application, as you gain insight from all levels on the program's benefits and challenges, but also ensures the staff are prepared for post-award follow-through, delivering a greater return on investment for the organization and grantor.

I create a web of the staff, board, and volunteers involved in the project. As I develop the outline into my first draft, I now have a visual of who I need to connect with and when, which is a valuable project management skill.

Lesson #3 Embracing Adaptability

This lesson goes hand in hand with the communication lesson. Anyone who works in social services knows that adaptability is a necessary skill. The needs of your clients, demands from your communities, and expectations from supervisors change often and quickly. In grant writing, I’ve found that having to pivot is just part of the game.

There are, of course, some constants that should continue to guide grant proposals. One crucial mistake is changing key parts of the grant, such as the budget or program, between the accepted proposal and the official grant.

However, flexibility is key, especially with your grantor. In my first grant, the DEI Coordinator and I visited the foundation’s sensory room for inspiration. This was a truly transformative time, not only in the grant writing process but also for my personal worldview. First, it prompted valuable conversations with the Programs Officer, who would be presenting our proposal to the board. Secondly, I was able to ask the DEI Coordinator what she wanted for her programs and ultimately what I needed to request in the grant. Finally, I adapted new vocabulary and understanding into the world of disability services, which strengthened my proposal.

Ultimately, it caused a ripple effect in my grant application. It wasn’t a complete redo, but I traced my steps back to ensure that our application not only represented the goals of our organization but also aligned with the grantor’s mission.

There were twists and turns, and more lessons than I can fit into a blog post, but ultimately, we received the $75,000 grant to advance DEI services. I had no way of knowing back then that I would eventually become a grants consultant and share these lessons in my first blog. My gratitude for that organization and everything that I learned there stays with me. In creating Grants Above, I wanted to incorporate many of the values and lessons I’ve gained into my mission. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of some incredible organizations over the years, and I know I will learn so much more as I continue to work with nonprofits across the country.

Join me on this journey as I unpack the essential lessons of grant writing, where every twist and turn shapes our path to success!

Creatively,

Andrea Daugherty