It’s that most wonderful time of the year again – time to reflect on the insanity we all endured in 2025, and to look ahead to what might be possible in 2026. We’d like to take a moment to share with you some of our top grant writing reflections and predictions, from our team to yours.
Sonya – Don’t Panic, Stay the Course: In the world of foundation fundraising, one thing is certain: the more things change, the more things stay the same. Sure, we saw our fair share of foundations scramble to take down language from the websites and grant applications that even whiffed of DEI, but for the most part, this hulking giant of the philanthropic sector churns on at its usual snail’s pace. Foundations, for the most part, continue to do their thing: setting deadlines, reviewing applications, and making awards. After all, to retain their tax-exempt status, they must utilize at least 5% of their assets annually on charitable activity. Unless Congress revises that feature of the tax code, rest assured that foundation giving will stay steady in 2026.
Nicole – Focus on What Makes You Unique: We are seeing an increasing number of funders share that they have received an overwhelming number of great applications over the past year – too many to fund! We suspect that some of this may be due to an increase in AI usage in grant writing, making it easier to turn out applications. More than ever, it’s essential to make sure your application stands out. Success stories showcase the real human impact of your work. Here’s how to get started. I also loved Kellie Brungard, GPC’s article on storytelling and ways to help your grant applications stand out among the sea of AI-generated content. And when you are declined, here are some next steps you can take.
Vicki – The Little Things Matter: Take the small steps to set yourself up for success in grants. Commit to setting up your grants portal account with each funder (especially one you haven’t applied to before) several weeks ahead of an application deadline. Funders are not always aware of the technical complexities of their grants portals and, without planning ahead, you can easily get blocked from accessing key application information or could be prevented from submitting your application on deadline day. Additionally, we’re increasingly seeing “multifactor authentication steps” that require codes and authentication apps to access grants portals, all of which can add even more delays. You will be doing yourself a favor by setting up those portal accounts as soon as you decide to pursue a funding opportunity.
Matt – Shore Up Your Logic Model: For organizations used to pumping out dozens of grant proposals each year, it’s easy to allow your language to grow upon itself, like a snowball of narrative content picking up more adjectives and adverbs as the year rolls on. But with the number of proposals submitted to each funder increasing with each passing year, it is more important than ever to stand out. We suggest going back to the basics: clarify and communicate the logic model that shows how and why you meet your mission in the way you do. There are many resources out there (like this slideshow from Nia Gorbunova at Instrumentl), but the short version is this:
A logic model demonstrates that you clearly understand the problem and how your intervention will address it; in other words, it moves your organization from simply describing what you do to showing what changes result from doing it. If a funder reads your proposal and understands the why, the how, and the result of your work, they will be far more likely to understand – and be motivated to contribute – the resources you need to do it.
Carrie – Build in Productive Pauses: My colleagues have made some great suggestions as to how to clarify your language and make sure your work stands out. I want to share a tip for when you’re developing a project, starting a grant proposal, or in the midst of a lengthy needs statement: Be nice to your brain! Consider taking a quick walk before you start writing. Even if it’s only a few minutes long, some exercise can prepare your mind for writing and allow you to mentally work through some of the knottier parts of the narrative. Sit down with a glass of water, so you don’t start bargaining with yourself–”I’ll get up once I finish this section”–and forget to hydrate later. If you’re stuck on one aspect of a proposal, switch to a task that uses a different part of your brain, like the project budget. If you have the luxury of time, spend a day or so away from your text before finalizing. Absence may not make the heart grow fonder in this case, but it may help you catch an annoying mistake and realize you have the space for an impact story afterall.
Martina – Strong Narratives & Honoring DEI Commitments : Our clients who have experienced success over the last year have stuck to the basics that contribute to a great proposal narrative, most meaningfully: 1) Measurable outcomes that are clearly communicated and contribute to the overall mission of the organization are critical to telling your story and proving your organization is a sound investment; and 2) Success stories–describing how a person, community, or environment was positively changed by your organization–bring an emotional charge to your proposal that makes it memorable (and fundable).
Lastly, although we are living in a world where even Calibri font is not safe from politics, our clients who have had the most success in the past year have stuck to their commitments to diversify Boards and staff, and incorporate client feedback into their operations. Because whether or not a mercurial foundation scrubs DEI language from their grant applications or not, diversity, equity, and inclusion inherently create stronger organizations with broader experiences, deeper perspectives, greater empathy, and more authentic connections to the communities they serve.
As 2026 approaches, the basics still matter—but only when matched with resolve. Now is the time to stand firm in your commitments, do the hard (and detail-oriented) work others avoid, and lead with integrity. Organizations that do this will be positioned to meet ambitious goals and to be funded sustainability over the long-term.
From all of us at Page Consulting, thank you for pushing your critical missions forward and for giving us the opportunity to support your work.