Grant research is often described as finding money.
But that is only one part of the process.
The real work is finding the right funders for the organization’s mission, programs, population, geography, budget, and capacity.
That requires more than searching for keywords.
A strong research process examines:
What the funder has supported before
Typical award sizes
Whether the funder offers general operating support
Geographic restrictions
Eligibility requirements
Application process
Reporting expectations
Current strategic priorities
Existing relationships with similar organizations
A funder may mention your issue area but still be a poor fit.
The language may sound aligned, but the funder’s giving history may tell a different story.
Related: Why most nonprofits are still chasing the wrong grants
Research also helps you determine whether an opportunity is worth the organization’s time.
A grant is not a good prospect simply because the deadline is approaching.
It is a good prospect when the likelihood of alignment justifies the effort required to pursue it.
The goal of research is not to build the longest list.
It is to build the most strategic one.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants