Not all grants are worth pursuing, even if they seem like a good fit on paper. The application process can be time-consuming, requiring extensive documentation, financial reporting, and impact evaluations. Some grants require a 10-page proposal, letters of support, and multiple budget justifications—for $5,000 in funding. Others may have a straightforward online application process for six-figure grants.
The key to a sustainable grant strategy is balancing effort vs. reward so that your team’s time is spent on high-value opportunities rather than exhausting applications with low returns.
This section will provide a framework to help non-profits assess whether the time investment required to apply for a grant is justified by the potential funding amount, sustainability, and strategic value.