Factors Influencing Grant Application Success

You can spend weeks writing a grant proposal—but if it doesn’t align with the funder’s priorities, the chances of it being approved are very slim! I see this mistake over and over again. 🚨 Organizations pour hours, even months into writing grant proposals, only to get rejected—not because their project wasn’t important, but because they never researched what the funder actually wanted to fund.  So, before you sit down to write your next grant, here’s what you need to know:  → Funders don’t fund what YOU need. They fund YOUR impact.They fund what aligns with THEIR mission. Many people approach grants thinking, "I need money for my project—who can give it to me?"  But successful grant seekers flip the script. They look for alignment first. ✅ Research past grantees. What kind of projects has this funder supported before? Do you fit into that pattern?  ✅ Read their funding priorities. If they say they fund education initiatives, do they mean general education, STEM programs, early childhood learning? Dig deeper. ✅ Mirror their language. If they emphasize “economic mobility,” don’t just say your program helps job seekers—show how it advances economic mobility. → Vague proposals don’t get funded. Specificity wins. I see a lot of proposals that say things like: We aim to reduce food insecurity in our community.  That sounds nice, but it’s not compelling. A funder is going to ask: How many people will you serve? What’s your timeline for achieving results? What metrics will you track? Instead, try something like: ✅ We will support 150 families by providing bi-weekly meal kits containing fresh, nutritious produce. Over the course of 12 months, we will track participants' progress through annual surveys to measure the impact of this program. We anticipate achieving a 20% reduction in food insecurity among participants, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in promoting health in the community. See the difference? The more specific you are, the easier it is for funders to see your impact. When you write a proposal, don’t just explain why you need the money. Show them the transformation their funding will create. 🛑 Instead of: We need $50,000 to expand our mentoring program. ✅ Try this: With $50,000, we will expand our mentoring program to serve 300 additional students, increasing graduation rates by 25% over the next two years. The more you frame your proposal around the funder’s impact, the better your chances of winning. Have you ever spent weeks on a proposal only to get rejected? What did you learn from the experience? Let’s talk in the comments.  #GrantWriting #NonprofitFunding #FundingOpportunities

For those seeking NIH grant funding, there are changes to the review process, now called the Simplified Peer Review Framework. The 5 traditional criteria (significance, innovation, approach, investigators, environment) have been collapsed into 3 factors. While it may look the same on the surface, there are changes to the way each factor is defined and weighed. Below I outline the 3 factors and explain how they matter: 1. Importance. This is the single most important score-driving factor. The goal here is to demonstrate why the proposed work is significant. Why is your research important? What specific scientific or clinical gap does your study address? How will your work change clinical practice, scientific paradigms, policies? Innovation is part of demonstrating importance - but significance trumps innovation. The best overall score you can get for a proposal is bound by your importance score. 2. Rigor and reproduceability (R/R). This factor covers your methods. Obviously important to have strong methods but R/R don’t matter much if the proposal isn’t deemed important. A weak score on Factor 2 will bring down your overall score. 3. Expertise and resources. This factor covers the PI, co-investigators, other contributors, and institutions involved. Same as with R/R: it’s important to make sure your team has the necessary expertise, but a strong team can’t make up for an unimportant research question and a weak team will bring down your overall score. These were points covered during reviewer training held by NIH’s Center for Scientific Review - see link below for more info. Later this summer, I’ll have a chance to see the Simplied Framework in action. Would love to hear from those of you who’ve experienced the new review approach. Please comment below! https://lnkd.in/g_CWNMbn

I used to think winning #grants was about writing a compelling argument that your organization would use the best #evidencebased approaches. Sorry if I'm bursting anyone's bubble here, but it turns out that's not it. 😟 Winning a grant is first and foremost about relationships with #donors. It's about understanding their motives, introducing them to your mission (BEFORE the application, face to face when possible), and showing them how your mission and their motives match. It's also about doing your research and finding out if there's an incumbent. Or if another organization has been pre-selected and the application process is a formality to fulfill requisition requirements. It's about knowing WHY a #grantopportunity was opened in the first place, and making sure your application fulfills that identified need. These days, I'm savvy enough about that to make sure I work with organizations that either have already done their homework on the above or understand the need to do that as part of the application process. A #grantapplication is not something you should craft on its own and then launch into the void. Take the time to figure out who will be reading it before you write it. Then see if you can get to know them before you start. In other words, know your audience. Some people call this #capture work. But it shouldn't just be a phase to check some boxes. You do need to build actual human-to-human relationships. Invite the (potential) donors to events. Have coffee together. If you're hiring a grant writer from outside your organization, the relationship is not their job. (Although good grant writers may have many grant manager friends.) This is work that has to be done within your organization, at an executive or COP level. And it usually needs to be done before the #rfp goes live, at which point, the curtain of silence may descend, and your donors will become very hard to find. And when all of that is in place, make sure you get a good #grantwriter so that you don't screw up on the final mile.

Less Federal Funding = More Competitive Grant Writing = Stronger Justification & Outcomes With federal and state funding becoming increasingly competitive, securing grants isn’t just about identifying a need—it’s about proving impact, justifying every dollar, and demonstrating long-term value. Funders are looking for investments that yield measurable results and financial accountability. To compete, organizations must go beyond writing strong proposals and focus on building data-driven, outcome-oriented programs that stand out in a crowded funding landscape. How to Strengthen Your Grant Strategy in 2025 1️⃣ Set SMART Goals That Prove Impact Funders want to know exactly how their investment will drive change. Set clear, outcome-based goals that align with their priorities. ✅ Specific – Clearly define what you’ll achieve (e.g., “Provide job training to 150 small business owners in 12 months”). 📊 Measurable – Quantify the expected impact (e.g., “Increase employment by 20%” or “Launch 50 new businesses”). 🎯 Achievable – Base targets on past performance and industry benchmarks. 🔗 Relevant – Align goals with funder priorities (e.g., workforce development, environmental resilience). ⏳ Time-Bound – Set a clear implementation and reporting timeline. 2️⃣ Use Data-Driven Storytelling Winning proposals blend compelling narratives with hard data. Funders need both the numbers and the human story to make informed decisions. 📌 Leverage national and local data to quantify the problem. 📌 Showcase past program success to demonstrate credibility and effectiveness. 📌 Incorporate real beneficiary stories to connect funders to the impact on a personal level. 3️⃣ Justify Every Dollar in Your Budget Funders scrutinize budgets for transparency and ROI. Tie every line item directly to measurable outcomes. Example: Instead of requesting a lump sum of “$500K for program expansion,” break it down: 💰 $200K for staff = 300 additional participants served. 💻 $150K for technology = 40% faster service delivery. 📢 $150K for outreach = 25% increase in community engagement. Funders will ask: Why this amount? Why this allocation? What’s the return on investment? 4️⃣ Demonstrate Sustainability & Scalability With fewer dollars available, funders prioritize projects that create long-term impact. Strengthen your case by showing: 🔄 Diverse funding sources (public-private partnerships, earned revenue). 📈 Scalability (how the project can expand or replicate). 💡 Federal and state dollars are shrinking, but outcome-driven, evidence-backed proposals will rise to the top. Winning grants in 2025 requires more than strong writing—it demands a strategic approach. The organizations that secure funding will be those that justify their requests, prove measurable impact, and design programs built for lasting change. #GrantWriting #FundingStrategy #SMARTGoals #Nonprofits #ImpactMeasurement #CompetitiveGrants

🔹Tips for writing a winning GRANT PROPOSAL 🎯 Grant writing can feel overwhelming, but it is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Phenny A. Omondi, MSc, and I began writing grant proposals during our undergraduate days at Universidad EARTH. Over the years, we’ve secured funding from organizations like the Mastercard Foundation, Wege Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Changes for Humanity, etc. to support the operations of a community-based organization we founded in Kenya (Kilimo Jijini). When I started graduate school, I further polished my grant writing skills by enrolling in a transformative 3-credit Grant Writing course taught by Dr. Jaret Daniels, and since then together with my advisor, we have submitted small and huge grant proposals worth millions of dollars to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), etc. Here are some key lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1. Start early Give yourself time to brainstorm, draft, and revise. Rushed proposals often lack polish and clarity. 2. Know your audience Research the funding agency’s mission, priorities, and target outcomes. Align your goals with their vision. 3. Focus on impact Clearly state how your research will address a problem and make a meaningful difference. Highlight real-world applications. 4. Tell a compelling story Proposals aren’t just data - they’re narratives. Make your introduction engaging and persuasive. Show passion for your work. 5. Define clear objectives Be specific about what you want to achieve and how you’ll measure success. Funders want results, not vague ideas. 6. Plan a realistic budget Outline costs with transparency and accuracy. Avoid overestimating but don’t undersell what you need to succeed. 7. Highlight your team’s expertise Funders invest in people as much as ideas. Showcase your team’s qualifications and past successes. And how that adds value to your idea. 8. Provide a timeline Break down your project into phases with deadlines. A clear timeline shows you’ve thought through the process 9. Proofread and seek feedback Ask mentors or colleagues to review your draft. They can spot weaknesses and suggest improvements you may have missed. 10. Follow instructions Carefully read and follow the funding agency’s guidelines. Missing a formatting detail or word limit can disqualify your proposal. 👉 What’s your experience with grant writing? Repost ♻️ to help someone else! #GrantWritingTips #ResearchFunding #AcademicSuccess #Mentorship #STEMResearch #WomenInSTEM #ResearchProposals University of Florida

The Secret Formula of Grant Writing: It's All in the Math I'm about to share a secret that can transform your grant writing approach: It's not just about eloquent words; it's about effective math. Successful grants are structured like a math problem, where the key is to quantify your value in addressing a clearly defined problem. 📊 Grant Math: Proving Your Value 📊 Quantifying the Problem: Start by clearly defining the issue you're addressing. Use statistics and data to illustrate the magnitude of the problem. This sets the stage for demonstrating your organization's impact. Impact Analysis: Next, quantify what you do to address this problem. How many people benefit from your programs? What are the tangible outcomes? Providing specific numbers and results is crucial. Cost-Effectiveness Breakdown: Perhaps the most critical piece of the puzzle is breaking down the costs. Clearly outline your expenses, but then take another step and calculate the cost per beneficiary (or outcome). This transparency is key to proving your solution's efficiency. 💡 Crafting a Compelling Math Story in Your Grant 💡 Example: Arts Programming in the Community: Suppose the problem is a lack of arts programming. You’d start by presenting data underscoring this gap. Then, detail how many students your program reaches, the positive outcomes achieved, and the total cost. Finally, calculate the cost per student. Reasonable Costs, Real Solutions: If the cost per beneficiary (or per outcome) seems reasonable and justifiable given the impact, you’re on your way to creating a compelling grant proposal. If it doesn’t, you can’t write your way out of it, no matter how hard you try. 🚀 The Bottom Line in Grant Writing 🚀 Effective grant writing is a blend of storytelling and math. Clarity in your math makes it easier for funders to see the direct impact of their investment. By clearly demonstrating how your solution is both impactful and cost-effective, you significantly enhance your chances of securing funding. #GrantWriting #NonProfitFunding #ImpactMeasurement #CostEffectiveness #FundraisingStrategy #CommunityImpact

The real reason your grant applications keep getting rejected isn't what you think. It's not your writing. It's not your programs. It's not even the competition. It's your relationships. Most organizations treat grant applications like lottery tickets. Submit enough and eventually you'll win. The organizations that secure consistent grant funding don't just write better applications. They build better relationships. They connect with program officers before submitting. They ask questions about priorities and fit. They seek feedback on declined proposals. They engage with funders even when not applying. Pull up your last five rejected grant applications. How many of those funders did you have a relationship with before applying? If your answer is "none," you've found your problem. Grant decisions aren't made by algorithms. They're made by people who fund organizations they know and trust. Stop treating grant writing as a technical exercise. Start treating it as a relationship-building opportunity. Because your grant applications aren't being rejected because of poor writing. They're being rejected because you're a stranger asking for money.

After reviewing hundreds of grant proposals, I've noticed patterns in the ones that get rejected. The biggest red flags: • Generic proposals clearly not tailored to the funder • Vague outcomes with no measurement plan • Budgets that don't align with narrative • Sustainability plans that amount to "we'll find more grants" One organization revamped their approach to focus on funder-specific customization and clear measurement plans. Their grant success rate went from 20% to over 60%. Funders can tell the difference between a thoughtful partner and an organization just looking for money.

A perfectly written grant proposal isn’t always enough to get funded. But receiving a "no" shouldn’t stop you from building your donor relationship. Many nonprofits assume that if they craft a compelling, well-structured grant proposal, funding will follow. But the reality is that a "no" may have less to do with your proposal itself and more to do with factors beyond your control. Here are five reasons why your grant application may get declined: 🔸 Your relationship with the donor – Strong relationships matter. If a donor isn't familiar with your organization, they may hesitate to invest. Trust takes time to build! 🔸 Your past grant history – Your past grants give donors an insight into how your organization operates and how impactful you may be. These impressions make a difference. 🔸 Your reporting history – Late or incomplete reports from past grants can raise red flags. Transparency and accountability are key to securing future funding. 🔸 Limited funds and competing priorities – Even great projects get turned down when a donor’s budget is stretched or if their priorities shift. 🔸 Concerns with overinvestment – Funders often seek to balance their portfolio and may be cautious about overfunding a single organization. A rejection doesn’t mean your work isn’t valuable. It’s an opportunity to seek feedback, strengthen relationships, and refine your approach for the future. If you’ve ever been declined for a grant, did you follow up for feedback? What did you learn from the experience?