As a grant writer there are some myths about grant writing that I hear time and again. In today’s blog I hope to clear up the top 5 myths I encounter most, in the hope it helps your organisation on its grant journey.
Myth 1: If THEY got a grant then I should be able to get one
Some people think that because an organisation they know was awarded a grant and that organisation is… smaller/bigger/caters to the same market/not as competent/insert any other reason… then it automatically means that they should get a grant. You are not entitled to grant funding; you need to earn it. This other organisation must have submitted an application that clearly showed how their organisation was capable of delivering the benefits that the grant program wanted to pay for. As simple as that. If you can also write an application that shows clear alignment to the grant program objectives and shows that you are a capable organisation, then you stand a chance of getting a grant as well. If you just submit an application with scant detail and minimal effort to follow the rules of grant writing, then you’re not likely to get the funding, no matter if you think you are more deserving than ‘them’.
Myth 2: Writing a grant application shouldn’t take long
Sometimes (very rarely and for small amounts of money) there are easy grant applications that require very little effort to complete – however you will still need to have a planned project ready before you start writing, you will still need to demonstrate the demand for your project and to complete the application correctly. But for the most part, grant applications involve a lot of time and dedication. A lot of work needs to be undertaken to apply for a grant, including liaising with people, collecting information, researching and then compiling the data collected so it appeals to the funder and makes them want to fund your project. And then you need to actually write the application! Don’t think this is something you can do in a day.
Myth 3: Grant money is FREE money
This is a common misconception that I encounter regularly. And it is probably one of the biggest myths when it comes to grant writing. Grant applications are quite a process, and they require a lot of time and shouldn’t be seen as something that is just a bit of free money to get your project done. The work involved in getting a grant and delivering a project under a grant funding program starts way before you get the grant. You need to look at what you are going to deliver for your project and how you will deliver it, and you will need to gather a large amount of information – and this all takes a lot of time. Then there is the actual writing of the grant application, this in itself is a timely process that requires a lot of focus and dedicated time. And if you’re successful in your grant application, there’s the time involved in carrying out your project, adhering to deadlines, and of course the reporting and acquittal. You wouldn’t expect a customer to give you money for nothing so don’t expect to get a grant without having to work for it – they require a lot of effort and they don’t amount to free money – but when done right they are very much worth it and can ensure the success of a project!
Myth 4: If I hire a grant writer then I don’t have to do anything
Often someone will hire a grant writer and assume they have offloaded all the work, that they can just sign the contract, send through a quick summary of the project and the application will be done and submitted without a second thought. This isn’t how it works – as a grant writer we will invariably ask you questions you don’t have the answers to and you will need to get those answers or make some decisions. You will need to have thoroughly planned your project – sourced quotes, design drawings, approvals, letters of support etc and if you haven’t, your grant writer won’t be able to put together the best quality application. So, we will recommend you do these things so that your chances of getting funding increase. Our job as grant writers is to collate all the information and put together an application that funders will want to fund. It is not to decide what project you are going to deliver, how you are going to deliver it and how much money you need. Please remember that it is a collaborative effort to put together the best application, and not something you can wash your hands of.
Myth 5: Finding grants is way too hard
This is a myth we love debunking! Grants are actually very easy to find. There are lots of resources online these days to help you find the perfect grant(s) that could align with your project perfectly. There are many FREE ways to find grants and there are also paid memberships that give you access to grants. Here at Whitney Consulting we provide a free monthly newsletter that you can sign up for on our website that has current and soon to open grant opportunities. We also provide a FREE a comprehensive grant search for your project where we send you a report listing some grants that may be suitable for you. You just need to contact us and ask!
I hope that today’s blog post debunked some common misconceptions about grant writing and clears the path for you to feel more confident in grant applications. Make sure you put your name on our free newsletter – this is a great resource for grant seekers and if you have a project you need funding for then get in touch with us and we will happily do a search. If you want us to write your next grant, you need some feedback on your draft application or just have some questions we are only too happy to help!
