When you think about what makes a successful grant proposal, the normal things come into play:  an organized proposal, attention to detail, and a compelling ask.  Your proposal’s presentation plays an integral role in how the funder perceives how well you can spend the money you may potentially win.  The end result is to ensure that the funder has the confidence in your organization to get the job done, plain and simple.  But, did you know, there are ways to instill that confidence that have nothing to do with your written proposal?  What if I told you that there are ways to boost your proposal’s success before you type one word?

Grant writing is one of those professions that you sort of fall into. Most grant writing masters earned their stripes from many long nights, thousands of cups of coffee and plenty of hectic days submitting proposals at the last second.  They didn’t start out learning the ropes from books; they sharpened their skills by being rejected, wiping the dust off their feet, and pursuing the next opportunity before them.

Can you guess the #1 question I hear when talking to people who have just started their own nonprofits?  In one form or another it’s a question about how to secure a grant for the new organization.  Now, can you guess the #1 thing you should NOT do right after your start your nonprofit?  Hopefully you guessed it:  going after a grant. Please do not jump head first into grant writing in your first year.  I’m sorry to say it, but it’ll be a waste of time.