Two Myths In Nonprofit Fundraising
Busting these myths will help any organization, small or large to set an operational path to success in grant proposal. Before we get into any details, let's clarify the fact that fundraising is hard work. All type of fundraising is hard.
1.- The number one myth in grant writing is the misconception that grants are the simplest way to secure funding. Many inexperience program officials believe that if they have a great program with a nicely written grant proposal is enough to qualify them to receive grant money. Having a well-structured program with a well-written grant proposal is extremely important to get money. But it is only part of the factors that will help an organization/program get funded.
“Grants are not the only source of funding and surely not the simplest one. Grant developers are incredibly talented professionals, what they do for their organization is vital. Grant development is a process that requires lots of relationship management and time management. ”
— NPSCG.COM
Grant development is not any more straightforward than any other development activity from the philanthropy sector. Grant development requires the same strategic procedures that applied to any fundraising project: great strategy, planning, funds expenditure, relationships, right products, attention to detail and excellent writing ability, etc. No aspect is more important than another. Every detail is important. All parts and steps of the grant development process play an extremely significant role in securing sustainable and viable funding from federal, corporate, private, and private grantors. Grant development is a process with numerous steps. The grant developer must know how to interact with the players; he/she must know how to prioritize and manage time. Successful grant development isn't an overnight activity.
2.- The second myth is the lack of importance attributed to grant developers. One of the most misunderstood and least valued professions in the nonprofit sector is the role of grant developers. The grant developers are being undervalued to a point where they are reluctant to identify themselves as grant developers. This lack of appreciation is due mainly to the fact that the people in the nonprofit sector in particular and the general public do not know with precision what the grant developers do. Those who are not familiar with grant development believe that the job of a grant developer is restricted only to write grant proposals. Despite all of these, the grant developers have refrained themselves to express any victim mentality feelings.
Creating a grant strategy and a calendar of “grantable” chances will help to raise your effectiveness and certainly reduce all the intricacies that come with grant development. Efficiency is accumulated in development work by making sure that there's a definite game plan, defined outcomes, qualified prospects, and measurable tasks towards a goal. Organizations that do not adopt this method of fund development frequently find themselves wasting time, energy, revenue, and other valuable resources that they do not even have.
These organizations are sometimes spending lots of sources for little return while performing the same tasks over and over again with the hope of obtaining a more satisfying outcome.
For grants to be productive as well as efficient, nonprofits must resist seeing their grant programs as the lottery. A great program officer must know that building a reliable program comes first, and then, come the grant. Most grants that have been awarded are well-illustrated representations of existing or envisioned sustainable programs and services.
Grants are not the only source of funding and surely not the simplest one. Grant developers are incredibly talented professionals; what they do for their organization is vital. Grant development is a process that requires lots of relationship management and time management.