March 01, 2023
Vetting Grant Opportunities
Here are 5 quick tips to help you vet grant opportunities
I just did an initial research project for a new client and want to impart some suggestions while the experience is fresh in my head! Here are 5 tips to help you vet future grant opportunities.
- Start organized – stay organized: Create a spreadsheet that includes key deadlines and board meeting dates, contact info, most common grant amounts awarded, and website links.
- Search forwards and backward: Searching by areas of funding interest, geographic focus, and target population is the most often used approach. In database tools like Foundation Directory Online, you can conduct a “reverse-search” to see who has funded similar organizations to your own.
- Make. Sure. You. Are. Eligible. For. The. Grants. You. Seek! Filter for geography, population served, organizational structure, type of support, and focus areas.
- Long-term vs one-nighters: pay close attention to whether funding opportunities offer multi-year and renewable grants vs one-year grant awards, and how frequently organizations can re-apply for funding.
- Document your choices. Keep notes on why a funder or opportunity is a good fit. Save funder profiles if available (like on FDO). Share foundations’ board lists with your own board to find connections and relationships to leverage.