How to Stand Out Through the Nonprofit Grant Application Process

You’re here because you work for a nonprofit organization. Maybe its next endeavor is going to be a very expensive one—and we’re not talking about a $100,000 project; maybe it’s a $1 million project or a $5 million project. In any case, your nonprofit wants to embark on a brand new journey (say, a new building for a university), and it doesn’t quite have the funds to get there—that’s where a grant can come in handy. If you’re unsure about the world of grants, it doesn’t work like a loan; grants do not have be repaid. The challenges of obtaining a grant are finding a quality funder and getting said funder to approve your grant application. If you don’t remember, we went through what funders are looking for in a previous blog.

So, your nonprofit has decided to apply for a grant—great! But does your team know what the grant application process looks like? (Hint: It’s a timely process.) From the time your nonprofit applies for a grant to the time the funder (hopefully) approves your grant, this process could take up to a year. It’s so crucial for your nonprofit to plan accordingly.