I got a bit anxious last week and started calculating my grant success for the year. I got distracted and put it on pause- and I am glad I did.
Just yesterday, I received notice of an additional $100K in grant awards, so that is a nice little cherry on top of the year.
As we wrap up the year (or start planning the next one), it’s natural to ask: Was this a successful grant year?
For a lot of people, the first instinct is to count the wins and the grant success rate. And yes—funding secured absolutely matters. But it’s only one way to measure success.
What is your “grant success rate?”
Have you read Allison’s article about success rates?
Grant success shows up in more places than a notice of award.
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You can measure success by how many strong, fundable proposals you submitted. Not every proposal will be funded, but each one builds clarity, alignment, and momentum.
You can measure it by how much stronger your systems have become this year. More transparent processes, better timelines, stronger collaboration, and less last‑minute scrambling all count.
You can measure it by improved relationships—with funders, partners, and internal teams. Even declined proposals can lead to valuable feedback and future opportunities.
But the most important measure of all?
Did the program create the impact it was meant to create?
Did the program get off the ground? Did the community benefit? Did the outcomes move the mission forward in a real, tangible way?
At the end of the day, grants aren’t trophies. They’re tools. And their true success isn’t defined by the dollar amount—it’s defined by the difference made because all the things associated with what we do existed.
So as you reflect on your grant year, give yourself credit for more than just the wins. (Wins and dollar amount definitely matter, but they aren’t the only thing.) Look at the growth, the learning, and most importantly, the impact.
That’s the measure that matters most.
Happy New Year!
Until next time,