At least a few times each week, I notice a grant writer in a social media group requesting a list of grants. For example, yesterday someone posted, “Can someone provide a list of grants for youth sports?”
I get frustrated by this because nonprofits will not find grant success from a generic list of grant opportunities. Developing a proper grant strategy involves aligning funding opportunities with your mission, programs, and vision for the communities you serve.
One of my clients provides youth athletics to marginalized youth, but my grant list is unlikely to help the person making the request on social media.
My grant list for this client is regionally well-aligned and includes academic and social justice components. I have invested dozens of hours in grant research to identify and filter opportunities most likely to be funded.
I have written extensively about the many tactics I use to fill a grant schedule, and there is a science to it. If you are a nonprofit professional or grant writer and grant research isn’t one of your strengths, that is fine. Invest in a high-quality grant researcher- don’t throw spaghetti at the wall and hope that it sticks.
Strategy is everything in this industry.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants