Why Competitiveness Matters in Grant Seeking

Many non-profits invest significant time and resources into grant applications without fully understanding how competitive a funding opportunity is. Not all grants are created equal—some have thousands of applicants competing for a handful of awards, while others may have a smaller, more targeted applicant pool with better odds of success.

Evaluating the competitiveness of a grant before applying helps non-profits allocate resources strategically, avoid wasted effort, and improve overall success rates. Instead of chasing every funding opportunity, organizations should focus on those where they have a realistic chance of winning and where the effort-to-reward ratio makes sense.

Analyzing the Applicant Pool

Understanding Past Awardees: Who typically wins this grant?

Look at previous recipients and assess:

• Are they similar in mission, size, and geographic focus to your organization?
• Have they received the grant multiple times (indicating strong funder preference for renewals)?
• What types of projects have been funded in the past?

Where to find this information:

• The funder’s website (many list past awardees)
• IRS 990-PF filings (for private foundations)
• Grant databases (Candid/Foundation Directory, GrantStation, etc.)
• Networking with past recipients

<aside> 📌

Pro Tip

If past recipients are mostly large, national organizations and you’re a small local non-profit, your chances may be low unless there’s a specific category for grassroots funding.

</aside>

Understanding the Number of Applicants vs. Awards

How many applicants vs. awards?

• Some grants provide transparency on application volume vs. funding capacity.