Are you torn between applying for grants and other pressing management issues? You’re not alone. Most non-profits – even large ones – find it difficult to develop the internal capacity for effective, comprehensive grant pursuit.
10 Common Grant Application Mistakes
1. Asking for too little
2. Inadequate research about
potential funders
3. Failure to tailor the “ask” to the
funder
4. Missed deadlines
5. Playing the averages: if we send
applications to 100 foundations,
a certain percentage will give us
a grant
6. Mismanagement of personal
contacts
7. Not differentiating corporate
foundation and private foundation
approaches
© 2008, Community Service Builders • 214-264-1234 • info@communityservicebuilders.com
"Because of Community Service Builders, our annual budget has increased by nearly $1 million. We've dramatically heightened our capacity to serve the HIV+ and at risk communities of North Texas."
Raeline Nobles
Executive Director
AIDS Arms, Inc.
Have You Ever
Submitted your standard grant application without customizing it to the unique requirements of a foundation? Limited your scope to just the obvious foundations? Decided not to apply for a relevant grant because it was too much work? Submitted an incomplete or unpolished proposal? Missed a deadline? Lacked sufficient follow-up after a grant was submitted?
If so, you probably suffered a loss in grant funding. All too often even the most basic grant proposal can become overwhelming. Not to mention major State, Federal and other competitive grants. But with CBS as your partner, you can master grant pursuit.
Let CSB handle your grant research, writing and management
Utilizing our comprehensive FunderFit grant research database and expert grant development services, Community Service Builders builds the capacity of North Texas non-profit organizations to serve the community.
CSB provides turn-key private and corporate foundation grant pursuit plans. We can also mobilize quickly to help you submit a quality proposal for a major competitive grant or help you position yourself for the next RFP. Read more about our services.
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Sign up to receive our e-newsletter, FunderFit News, with timely information on trends, challenges and opportunities for grant pursuit.
CSB meets regularly with funders to develop an
in-depth understanding
of their current interests and objectives.
Non-profit organizations have a lot on their plates, so it's easy to make mistakes when applying for grants. Here are 10 common grant application mistakes:
8. Lack of adherence to the application requirements
9. Under-emphasis on relationship-building for the long term
10. Lack of creativity and innovation
CSB can help you avoid ever making these mistakes again!
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Master grant pursuit.
CSB partners with non-profit organizations to develop and manage a customized foundation grant pursuit strategy. After immersing ourselves in your organizational culture, we:
- Provide you a prioritized list of your best foundation matches
- Develop and execute your grant pursuit plan
- Craft and deliver expert applications ready to mail
Meet the needs of your community.
Match funders with your mission.
