After nearly 25 years in the nonprofit world, I’ve seen that even the most passionate organizations can sabotage their chances by making avoidable errors. To help you stay on track, here are the 10 biggest mistakes I see in grant applications:
- Applying for a “Non-Fit”: The most preventable mistake is applying for funding that simply isn’t a match for your mission, geography, or organization type.
- “Chasing the Money”: Don’t build a project just because a grant is available. Your mission should drive your activities, and grants should serve as tools to support that vision—not the other way around.
- Unbalanced Budgets: A budget with higher expenses than income is a major red flag. Unless you have a planned deficit (like a capital campaign), your budget must be balanced.
- Using “10-Dollar Words”: Jargon and overly technical terminology frustrate reviewers. They appreciate brevity and simple, clear language.
- Confusing Outputs with Outcomes: Don’t just count what you did (outputs); focus on the actual change that happened because of your work (outcomes).
- Missing the Deadline: Whether it’s a technical glitch or a time zone misunderstanding, a late grant is almost always a declined grant.
- Inflating Administrative Costs: If you allocate all salaries to “administration” rather than direct program expenses, you artificially inflate your overhead.
- Ignoring Instructions: Uploading a project budget where an organizational budget was requested or missing work sample requirements shows a lack of attention to detail.
- Lack of Data: Funders want objective proof of your impact. Relying on “vague statements” instead of citable data or pre- and post-intervention surveys makes your case weak.
- Poor Stewardship: Treating a grant like a one-time transaction is a mistake. You must cultivate relationships year-round, not just when you need money.
If you’re ready to learn more, access the Masterclass video <Name> <Link>
