Grant professionals are expected to find money.
But our responsibility is not to secure funding at any cost.
Sometimes the organization is asking you to:
- Misrepresent program outcomes
- Exaggerate the number of people served
- Promise work that cannot be delivered
- Hide financial problems
- Use funds in ways the grant does not allow
- Submit information you know is incomplete or inaccurate
- Compensate you in an unethical way or expect you to perform outside of your scope of work
And sometimes leadership knows the proposal is not truthful and that their behavior is unethical, but hopes that no one will notice.
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That is not a grant strategy problem.
It is an ethical problem.
You are allowed to maintain your stated scope of work.
You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to document your concerns.
You are allowed to recommend that the organization not apply for a grant.
And if the organization insists on submitting something misleading or using funds improperly or taking advantage of your time and services, you are allowed to walk away.
Your professional reputation is part of your career capital.
So is your integrity.
There will always be pressure to make the organization sound stronger, more established, or more successful than it is.
But funders deserve accurate information.
Programs deserve realistic commitments.
Grant professionals deserve to be treated with respect.
And the people being served deserve an organization that does what it says it will do.
Not every client, employer, or opportunity is worth keeping.
Sometimes the most responsible thing a grant professional can do is say:
“We cannot submit this as written.”
“I am not comfortable reporting those numbers.”
“That task is not part of my stated responsibilities.”
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants