Every grant writing course, academy, and article proclaims, “Ask for feedback if your grant is denied.” And it is good advice. But it falls a bit short.
Once they provide you with feedback, what are the next steps?
If the feedback is something like, “Your program didn’t fit our funding focus well enough.” or “We had too many applicants.” there isn’t much that can be done.
If the feedback was, “The questions weren’t answered completely.” or “We didn’t understand the program well enough.” you know that you personally have work to do.
I have received feedback about the budget and a lack of diversity among the board members. I took these issues back to the Executive Director, who quickly corrected them.
But, what happens when the feedback is, “Your organization doesn’t have a great reputation.” or “Your leadership doesn’t collaborate with the community?”
Feedback like this is almost always political. The Executive Director didn’t attend the right gala or didn’t set up a booth at the recent community fair. How can you overcome this as a grant writer?
Here are a few ideas:
- Extend your range and apply for some grants outside your immediate community. Look for state or regional grants where the grant committee won’t know your org’s leadership.
- Collaborate on programs and grants with other community organizations that routinely win the grants you want. This can help get a foot in the door.
- Talk to your leadership. Be factual and provide them with the feedback word for word. Maybe they aren’t aware and can do something to make a quick change.
A few years ago, I faced a situation where the Director of Grantmaking of a local community foundation despised my client’s Executive Director. They subtly told me I would never win a grant for my client as long as she was in charge. I appreciated the feedback because I didn’t waste my time applying anymore. I moved on to other opportunities.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants