From the time we are very young, we internalize rejection. Our caregivers, teachers, mentors, etc., help us work through and overcome rejection.
Coping with rejection is a sort of milestone in our youth, and most of us still struggle with it.
Being a grant writer means rejection is a sure thing- part of our daily job.
I listened to a podcast with Mark Cuban a few years ago, and he said, “Every no gets me closer to a yes.”
And that sums up grant writing.
Grant Writing Tip of the Day
Overloading your proposal with jargon or technical language without a compelling narrative can make it difficult for reviewers to connect with the project emotionally.
Let’s look at some numbers.
My success rate in 2023 was in the 35% range. Roughly, that means that for every three grants I write, I will receive 2 rejections and 1 award.
And to take it one step further, the more applications you submit, the greater your chances of being awarded.
Data collected from non-profits revealed the following results when submitting grant applications:
- 1 Application- 63% won at least one grant
- 2 Applications- 75% won at least one grant
- 3-5 Applications- 89% won at least one grant
- 6-10 Applications- 96% won at least one grant
- 11 to 20 Applications- 98% won at least one grant
- 21-30 Applications- 99% won at least one grant
Obviously, this doesn’t consider a return on investment for your time.
Every rejection gets you closer to a win if you are a decent grant writer.
In 2023, I wrote 60 grants for one of my clients and we were awarded 25 grants for a total of $120,025. It was their first year hiring a contract grant writer and applying for grants, so that was a win, and they renewed their contract with me. This year, we will do even better.
Lean into the rejection. Grow and learn from it and use it to improve your success rate moving forward.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants
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