How to Determine Your Chances of Getting a Grant Before You Write It

When it comes to writing grant proposals, one of the most common frustrations for nonprofits is investing hours—or even weeks—into a proposal only to find out that they were never really a good fit for the funding opportunity. So, how can you determine your chances of getting a grant before you spend all that time and effort writing it?

In this post, I’ll share three proven strategies that will help you assess the likelihood of your proposal’s success before you start writing, saving you time and increasing your chances of landing that crucial funding.

1. Analyze the Grantor’s Funding Priorities

The first and most important step is to figure out whether your project aligns with the grantor’s funding priorities. Many grantors clearly state their priorities in their mission statements, annual reports, or grant guidelines, but sometimes you need to dig a little deeper.

Here’s what to look for:

• Target Populations: Does the grantor focus on specific communities, like children, veterans, or underserved populations? If your project serves those populations, that’s a good sign.
• Focus Areas: Is your project aligned with the grantor’s primary focus areas, such as education, healthcare, or environmental sustainability?
• Geographic Location: Many grantors limit their funding to specific regions or countries. Make sure your project falls within their preferred geographic areas.

If your project matches well with the grantor’s priorities, your chances of success are significantly higher. If the alignment is weak or vague, it might be worth reconsidering whether this grant is the right opportunity for your organization.

2. Examine Past Grantees

One of the best ways to evaluate your chances of getting a grant is to study who the grantor has funded in the past. Looking at past grantees can give you invaluable insight into the types of projects, organizations, and budgets the grantor prefers to fund.

Here’s how you can do this:

• Look for Similar Projects: Has the grantor funded projects like yours before? If so, that’s a good indicator that they’ll consider your proposal.
• Organization Size: Does the grantor typically fund organizations of your size? If they primarily fund large, well-established nonprofits and you’re a smaller organization, your chances may be lower.
• Grant Amounts: Review the amounts typically awarded by the grantor. Is your funding request within their usual range? Asking for too much or too little can impact your chances.

Examining the profiles of past grantees will help you gauge whether your project is a likely candidate for funding.

3. Build a Relationship with the Grantor

Another often-overlooked strategy is to reach out to the grantor before you apply. Building a relationship with the funder can provide you with valuable information that isn’t always publicly available. It also shows the grantor that you are proactive and serious about aligning your project with their goals.

Here are a few ways to do this:

• Reach Out: Contact the grantor with thoughtful questions about their funding priorities or the types of projects they’re most interested in. This can give you direct insight into whether your project is a good fit.
• Attend Webinars or Conferences: Many grantors offer webinars or participate in nonprofit events. Attend these to learn more about their priorities and how they make funding decisions.
• Request Pre-Application Feedback: If the grantor offers pre-application consultations or feedback, take advantage of it. This feedback can be crucial in determining whether your project stands a strong chance.

By making connections and gathering direct feedback from the grantor, you’ll have a much clearer picture of whether your proposal is likely to succeed.

Conclusion

Before diving into the lengthy process of writing a grant proposal, it’s important to evaluate your chances of success. By analyzing the grantor’s funding priorities, examining past grantees, and building a relationship with the grantor, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s worth applying. This proactive approach will help you focus on the opportunities where you have the highest likelihood of success, saving you time and effort in the long run.

Make sure to download my free resource below, where I outline seven more strategies to assess your chances of getting a grant before you write it!