Streamlining processes to maximise success.
You've just hit submit on a major application and you can breathe easy for the next few weeks. However while you might have just alleviated the pain of a fast approaching deadline, there's always more that can be done to be prepared for the next one.
Here's 5 things you can do now to be ready for your next grant application:
Review your grant assessment & development processes
How did your recent application development and drafting play out? Was everyone on the same page in terms of the project to be pitched? Were there delays receiving feedback from your project team/s? What could be improved on for next time to avoid delays? Making time for a post-submission debrief can have enormous benefits including creating a culture of continuous improvement. Depending on the size of your organisation, you may need to share each draft with 5+ staff members including program managers, project staff and subject matter experts. Embedding clear processes to guide your submission assessment and development processes can help to ensure everyone is on the same page from the outset, and to avoid a race to the finish.
Keep up-to-date records of current program outcomes on-hand
Which of your programs are working particularly well and why? How can you leverage the data that you have on hand in your next application to highlight your organisational strengths and "sell" your next project? Are there particularly strong case studies from your current programs that you can use to secure ongoing funding or to bring in new funds?
Sitting outside project teams can mean grant writers don't always have access to the latest program stats and outcomes. That said, this information might be the tipping point for a successful application, demonstrating the immense impact your organisation has on the communities and clients that you serve and why your project is worth funding. Setting up internal processes to receive regular program stats and/or case studies from your project teams whether monthly or quarterly will ensure you have this information readily available, particularly if a funding opportunity pops up that requires a quick turnaround.
Tip: try not to limit your data to outputs! Instead of " we provided 400 laptops to young people experiencing vulnerabilities" try adding "of the 400 young people who received laptops through our program, 80% increased their school engagement and academic outcomes in only a 2 month period."
Take time to listen to your clients, communities and current program staff and to understand their needs
Do your program staff have capacity to manage a new project or will you need budget to hire more staff if successful? What are your clients needs when it comes to community programming? E.g. Do they need more material relief or comprehensive programs? It might not be worth applying for the upcoming funding opportunity if it only affords basic material relief when your clients are looking for a comprehensive community program or vice versa.
While leveraging new funding opportunities is crucial, it is equally important to apply for funding that is immediately useful and manageable. The better you know your programs, program staff and client base, the better your decision-making when it comes to scoping and assessing new funding opportunities.
Plan your time wisely with a grant calendar
Are there regular grants that you typically apply for each year? Do you ever find yourself remembering that the application is due in one week and the application period has somehow slipped by?
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how quickly this gets overlooked when inundated with day-to-day tasks. When you apply for the same grants annually it can be easy to get complacent or to forget crucial annual milestones. A grant calendar can be a useful tool to aid organisational decision-making when it comes to staffing e.g. does your grant writer on staff have sufficient time and capacity to complete all upcoming grants single-handedly or are there periods where you might need to consider bringing in external support to increase your chances of success and reduce burnout?
Update your current staff bios
This one's particularly important for government grants which typically require bios for key staff who will oversee and deliver your proposed project. Maintaining a document (this might be an Excel spreadsheet or simple Word doc) of updated staff bios is a quick and easy way to be prepared for your next application, particularly for larger organisations operating across multiple sites.
By taking action during down times, you can increase your chances of success in future applications as well as creating a culture of continuous improvement.
If you're looking for support to enhance your organisational grant writing and assessment processes, click here to book call . I'd love to help.