Things All Grant Writers Hate & What To Do About It

You’re the one in charge of writing grants for your organization. That’s a lot of pressure, but you know how to handle it. You’ve done this job before. It’s just like breathing, right?

Wrong! As much as we’d love it if there were a simple formula for writing grants that would guarantee success every time, there isn’t.

Each grant is different, and no matter what kind of experience you have with writing them whether it be years or just a few months there are always going to be things that surprise you about the process (and not always in a good way). So why do we hate these things so much? Well…

4 Reasons Why a Grant Writer Cannot Get Paid on Commission

Takeaways
– Grant writers commonly face challenges that can lead to frustration and stress.
– Recognizing and addressing these challenges can improve the grant writing experience.
– Seeking support from peers and mentors can provide insights and solutions for overcoming obstacles.
– Embracing best practices, such as thorough research, clear communication, and effective proposal structuring, can mitigate common grant writing frustrations.
– Understanding that grant writing is a dynamic process and learning from mistakes can lead to continuous improvement and success.

Lazy People

There are a variety of people who don’t want to do the work.

They don’t want to do the research because they think you should just know what you need, instead of going out and finding it

They don’t want to do the writing because they think you can write this fast and they can just send it off

They don’t want to do a follow-up because they think once is enough and if someone doesn’t respond, then obviously their idea wasn’t good enough anyway (when in fact, it could be a lot about timing)

And most importantly: They won’t follow through because they’re lazy!

Building a successful career as a grant writer requires more than just writing skills. As highlighted in 11 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started as a Grant Writer, understanding the intricacies of the process and learning from experienced grant writers can significantly boost your chances of success.

Clients Who Tell You What To Write

Let me make this clear: clients are not your boss, and they’re not supposed to be. You’re the expert in grant writing. You know what needs to be done and how to do it right, so don’t let clients try to tell you what to write or how to write it.

If a client has suggestions about your proposals, then ask them if they can send them as bullet points or questions for you before putting together the final draft.

That way, if there are things that need changing or clarifying based on those points/questions from the client, then it’ll already be in the proposal ready for them when they read through again at their own pace with fresh eyes!

Clients Who Think They Know How To Write A Grant

If you’ve ever worked as a grant writer, then you know that one of the most frustrating things about your job is working with clients who think they know how to write a grant.

I get it you want to help people and make the world a better place. But when it comes to writing a funding request, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed if you have any chance of getting funding from the funder of your choice.

If those rules aren’t followed, chances are good that your application will be rejected by the funder before it even reaches their review committee (or maybe even before it gets submitted). Some funders won’t even accept applications that don’t follow these guidelines!

So if you’re going to hire someone else (like me) to help with this process, please don’t tell them what they need in order for your application or proposal to be successful. Instead just let them do their job so they can get back on track quickly so we all can move forward with our lives!

When it comes to securing funding through grant proposals, following best practices is essential. Explore insightful tips in Tips for Getting More Grant Money with Nonprofit Proposal Writing to enhance your proposal writing skills and increase the potential for funding your nonprofit projects.

Clients Who Do Not Follow Directions

Clients who do not follow directions. A lot of grant writing is about being clear about what you want and how you want it done. If a client doesn’t listen to you, then your project is going to be a mess.

To avoid this, make sure that you get good at communicating what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

Try using contracts, timelines, or checklists to keep track of everything that needs to happen when working with clients and most importantly: make sure they read them!

Clients who don’t read their own goals and objectives. This one might seem obvious but if the client isn’t reading over his or her work before submitting it (whether it’s an abstract for a conference presentation or an application essay).

Then they’re setting themselves up for failure from the start because there’s no way they know whether their ideas align with those of other people involved in making decisions about funding grants (or even just sharing their ideas)!

So if there’s anything left unsaid after talking through something together–it might be a good idea for both parties involved in collaborating on projects like these where communication is key!

Research-Resistant Clients

Research is the most important part of grant writing. If you don’t know what your client needs, the chances of success are slim. This can be difficult to accept at first particularly if you’re new to grant writing or if your client is a research-resistant organization (or both).

But once you understand why research is critical and how it can help improve your projects, you’ll find that there’s no excuse for not doing it right from the start.

For example: You have been asked by an animal rights organization to write a proposal for funding that will be submitted through the government’s Animal Welfare Grant Program.

You’ve never written a proposal before, so when you ask your contact person at this organization what kinds of things she’s interested in seeing included in her next proposal document, she replies “We want everything!”

This may sound like a dream come true but it probably means she has no idea what kind of information she needs or should include for her organization’s application to be successful (and thus funded).

Winning grants for your nonprofit or small business involves strategic planning and effective communication. Learn valuable insights on how to succeed in How to Win a Grant for Your Nonprofit or Small Business to maximize your chances of receiving financial support for your endeavors.

Clients Who Think We Can Work For Less Because It Is A Nonprofit

There are a lot of people out there who think that nonprofits are poor and therefore should be able to pay less for the same services. These people don’t understand how nonprofit accounting works, or they think that all nonprofits have huge resources at their disposal.

They also don’t understand the law on this subject that is, if you work for less than you should be paid, you may be committing fraud.

For example, consider a client who wants your firm to do some work on an annual budget report.

You quote them $30 per hour, plus expenses (such as photocopying), which they accept happily until they realize it will cost $3,000 to get everything done by your team of eight people over the course of two weeks before deadline day!

The client goes ballistic and threatens to take their business elsewhere unless you lower your fees: “We’re a nonprofit!!!”

Clients Who Think Grants Grow On Trees

The first thing you need to know is that grants do not grow on trees. They’re not easy to get, and they’re only handed out by organizations with enough money to do so.

You have to apply for them, and you can’t just wing it when you do; certain things must be done for your application to be considered at all.

If you want more information about how to apply for grants and why it’s important for your organization, check out our post: How To Apply For Grants: An Overview Of The Process. Here’s a quick overview of what every applicant needs:

A good idea (you try your best here)
A good plan (you practice this one)
A good budget (this one’s up to chance
Patience

Crafting compelling grant proposals is a skill that requires continuous learning and adaptation. As emphasized in There’s No Magic Formula for Writing a Grant, embracing the iterative nature of the process and seeking constructive feedback can lead to improved grant-writing outcomes.

Clients Who Don’t Care About Relationships With Funders

In addition to being good for your finances, having a good relationship with funders can be beneficial for your career. If you have a strong network of funders, then you’re more likely to get grants in the future.

This is especially true if you have a strong relationship with the person who makes decisions about funding at their organization (for example: if they like chatting with you over coffee or reading your blog).

It’s important not only to develop relationships with potential funders but also to maintain them once they’ve given money to your organization.

Funders want to know what they are receiving value from this investment and how what they’ve funded is impacting society as a whole; don’t ignore these questions by saying “thank you” and disappearing into the sunset!

Clients Who Don’t Bother To Read Their Own Goals And Objectives

It is a good idea for your clients to be familiar with their goals and objectives, the grant process, the grantor, and you. If they know what they want and why they want it, then you can help them write a strong proposal.

The more that potential applicants understand about the grant writing process, their interests, and needs (as well as those of their organization).

And how these fit into larger social issues like education or poverty reduction the more likely they are to win funding from any funder.

The best way to ensure that your client understands these things is by providing them with basic information about themselves: who they are (an educational institution), where they operate (a state), and what kind of work has been done there in recent years (a study on foster care).

You should also explain how this position might relate to larger goals at hand: perhaps there’s an opportunity here for expanding services through new funding sources like federal grants?

Finally and most importantly you need to let them know what exactly makes up one’s “mission statement.”

When people ask you your success rate, then hang up when you explain that all depends on the quality of their materials and project(s). This then leads to them calling you back at midnight.

Here’s the deal: when someone asks you something that is impossible to answer, it’s because they’re trying to get information they don’t really need.

If they wanted to know your success rate, they would have asked more questions and understood why it varies so much by project type.

The only reason people ask this question is that they want an easy number to quote in a conversation with their boss or peers.

You should not help them do this if you can avoid it, and if you do feel compelled to answer the question, be sure that your response is as vague as possible so as not to mislead anyone.

If someone calls back at midnight calling for another grant writer when there are four other options on his website he could have called instead of waking up one of us.

Well, then we probably won’t talk again unless he decides he needs more work done than what those other four grant writers can offer him!

Writing an effective proposal for grant money requires careful planning and attention to detail. To gain insights into the essential components of a strong proposal, refer to How to Write a Proposal for Grant Money for a comprehensive guide on creating persuasive grant applications.

The Ones That Won’t Listen

Listen to what the client says. What? I know, it’s hard. But trust me, this one is important. I’ve had clients tell me they want to raise $500 in donations by their next fiscal year and then on our first call they say they want to raise $5 million in capital grants over the next three years.

You can’t argue with them because they will kick you out of your job! So listen carefully, take notes and remember that it may change as we move forward together (and it will).

Don’t argue with the client about their ideas for how your organization should run or what its goals should be (see above).

Don’t even get into a debate about whether or not its goals are realistic; let them have their vision for what needs to happen if you think that number is too high or too low just say “Well, let me put together some numbers for you so we can talk about this another time.”

Deadlines

Deadlines are a fact of life. As much as we’d like to think we can work at our own pace, work is often a team effort and deadlines help keep things running smoothly.

One thing that can make a deadline feel especially unpleasant is when you’re already pressed for time, or when the person assigning the deadline seems unconcerned about how their request will fit into your schedule.

But even if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all your obligations, there’s no reason to let someone else’s bad behavior derail your productivity and there’s also no reason not to speak up about it!

If you find yourself dealing with someone who thinks they can ignore deadlines or set unreasonable expectations, here are some strategies for getting them on board:

Conclusion

If you are a grant writer, then hopefully this list of what not to do will help you avoid some of the pitfalls. If you are a client, then knowing the pitfalls is an important part of getting the best possible services from your grant writer.

FAQs

How can I improve my grant writing skills?

Improving your grant writing skills involves practicing effective communication, understanding the grant’s objectives, and tailoring your proposal to meet them. Learning from experienced grant writers can also provide valuable insights.

What are some practical tips for successful grant writing?

Practical advice includes thoroughly researching funding opportunities, adhering to guidelines, presenting a clear project plan, highlighting the potential impact of your work, and seeking feedback on your proposal.

Where can I find additional resources on grant writing?

You can find more resources on grant writing through online platforms, educational institutions, and writer-in-residence archives. These sources often offer valuable tips, best practices, and insights from experienced grant writers.

How do educational research grants support innovation in education?

Educational research grants support innovation by funding projects that explore new teaching methodologies, educational technologies, and strategies to enhance learning outcomes. They contribute to the continuous improvement of educational practices.

How can I overcome writer’s block when working on a grant proposal?

To overcome writer’s block, start by outlining your proposal, focusing on key points. Break down the writing process into smaller tasks, set achievable goals, and give yourself regular breaks. Engaging with peers or mentors can also provide fresh perspectives and help you regain momentum.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.