Grants: Positioning Your Organization For 2025
1. Reassess Your Goals
Before diving into grant applications, revisit your nonprofit’s goals for 2025. Identify the programs or projects you want to fund and ensure they align with your mission. A clear vision will guide your search and strengthen your grant applications.
2. Research Funding Opportunities
Start researching potential funders now. Explore both familiar sources and new opportunities, such as foundations or government agencies that align with your mission. Create a calendar of grant deadlines to stay organized and ahead of schedule.
3. Build Relationships with Funders
Grant success goes beyond applications—it’s about relationships. Reach out to funders early to introduce your nonprofit, share your goals, and learn about their priorities. A proactive approach can offer valuable insights and help establish connections.
4. Strengthen Your Organizational Profile
Update your website, refine your mission statement, and gather data and impact stories. A polished and compelling organizational profile makes your grant applications more competitive and appealing to funders.
5. Diversify Your Funding Sources
While grants are important, don’t rely on them exclusively. Develop a diverse funding strategy that includes individual donations, corporate partnerships, and earned income. This approach ensures stability and increases your appeal to funders.
6. Invest in Grant-Writing Capacity
Strong grant writing can significantly improve your success rate. Consider training current staff or hiring a professional grant writer to enhance your applications and streamline the process.
7. Plan for Sustainability
Funders want to know their investment will have a lasting impact. Develop a plan to sustain funded projects beyond the grant period to improve your chances of securing multi-year funding.
8. Stay Updated on Funding Trends
Keep an eye on emerging trends in your sector. Understanding funder priorities and shifts in grant-making practices can help you refine your approach and remain competitive.
9. Prepare Your Team
Grant-seeking is a team effort. Ensure your staff, board, and volunteers understand your funding priorities and can clearly articulate your nonprofit’s impact.
10. Reflect on Past Efforts
Review your 2024 grant efforts. Identify what worked well and what can be improved, then apply these insights to refine your strategy for 2025.
By starting early and focusing on clear goals, strong relationships, and organizational readiness, your nonprofit will be better positioned to secure the funding it needs to succeed in 2025. For more assistance in developing your grant strategy, contact De Boer, Baumann & Company today.
