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Smart grant writing includes knowing what to ask for and what not to ask for. Beyond just the program design and meeting the other requirements within the funder’s RFP, you need to work through a project budget.
The quickest way to get your proposal cast into the “circular file” is including the wrong items in your budget. Here are 5 things you should definitely not ask for in your grant proposal – that is, if you are serious about getting funded:
- Don’t ask for grant money to establish a new non-profit organization.
As a grant writing consultant, I am often approached by people who have obtained 501(c)3 non-profit status and think a grant will provide the initial cash flow to establish their organization. With rare exception, grants are not intended to establish a new organization that does not already have an operating budget. Grants are awarded to established organizations that already have a healthy budget and show the capacity to carry out the mission or interest of the funding agency. If your grant request is too large of a percentage of your organization’s overall budget, it probably won’t be taken seriously.
- Don’t ask for grant money to pay for the general, operating costs of your organization.
Grant money is made available to meet the needs in society—not the needs of your organization. Funding agencies want to help you fund a new project, not become responsible for your ongoing bills. Although some grants allow a small percentage of funds to pay for indirect costs (or overhead), don’t expect a grant to pay your core expenses like rent, office furniture, and utilities. Asking a funding agency to cover your general operating expenses sends the message that your organization is not financially solvent, and not equipped to implement effective grant programs.
- Don’t ask for grant money to take over current expenses for existing projects.
Grants are intended to fund new projects or expand existing ones. Most funding agencies will frown on covering expenses for projects already being paid for out of your current budget. Grant funding is intended to supplement—not supplant—items in your organization’s current budget.
- Don’t ask for anything not on the list of “allowable expenses.”
Grant applications are written with a specific purpose in mind. Read the list of allowable expenses in your grant application very carefully, and make sure all budget items are consistent with the list.
- Don’t ask for anything that does not clearly relate to the new project you are proposing.
All budget items in your grant proposal should either be mentioned in the proposal narrative or relate directly to the activities described in it. Never mention an item for the first time in the budget section.
So, what should you ask for?
In most cases, funding agencies are not looking to become a source of financial support for needy organizations—or get manipulated into taking responsibility for your ongoing bills. Instead, they are looking to support well-established organizations in their efforts to serve needy populations. Funding agencies want their money to make the greatest impact on society possible, and award funds to organizations with the capacity to use it most effectively.
The right items to include in your grant proposal’s budget are those necessary to establish a new project—additional staff, staff training, curriculum, equipment, or materials—just as long as your requests fall within the allowable expenses in the grant application.
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
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