Every time I see a social media post that says something like, “We don’t need a grant professional. Why pay someone to fill out forms?” I die one thousand deaths.
If it is that simple, why are so many nonprofits lacking grant funding?
The forms are only the visible part of the process.
Before a proposal is submitted, someone has to determine:
- Whether the organization is eligible
- Whether the opportunity is a genuine fit
- What the funder has supported previously
- How the program should be framed
- What outcomes are realistic
- How the budget supports the work
- What information the reviewer needs
- Whether the organization can fulfill the grant requirements
The application may ask a series of questions, but the answers need to form a clear and credible case for support.
That requires research, strategy, interviewing, writing, budgeting, editing, project management, and attention to compliance.
It also requires judgment.
Related: Are you an underpaid grant professional?
A professional grant services provider tells an organization when an opportunity is not aligned, when the proposed outcomes are unrealistic, or when the budget does not support the program design.
Simply filling in the blanks does not accomplish that.
It may also lead to proposals that are technically complete but strategically weak.
A useful response to an Executive Director who feels this way might be:
“You are right that the application has forms to complete. My role is to identify and vet appropriate opportunities, help determine whether the opportunity is worth pursuing, develop a strong case for support, coordinate the information needed from your team, align the narrative and budget, and ensure the organization is prepared to manage the award if funded.”
The value is not just in typing answers into fields.
The value is in helping the organization make better funding decisions and present its work clearly, accurately, and competitively.
A grant may include a form.
Professional grant work begins much earlier and continues long after submission.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants