We’ve all been there. The feeling of confusion and frustration after having done everything asked of you and more. You painstakingly trimmed your organization description down to a haiku. You even submitted it early. And after 10 months of the silent treatment, you receive a generic one-sentence email: your grant application has been declined.
We’re here to assure you that proposal rejection is a normal, and often strategic, part of the foundation fundraising journey. Many well-crafted proposals are declined for reasons that have little to do with their quality. Rather than seeing a rejection as a failure, let’s consider it a first step towards building relationships that can lead to long-term funding. Here are 4 common reasons for a “no,” and why each one offers a chance to grow:
- You’re new to the foundation. Some foundations prefer that you reach out first, others forbid it. Some want a connection to a trustee, others treat your first application as an introduction. Use the rejection as a step toward relationship-building. We always recommend that if the fit is strong, reapplying three times (or more, if the prospect regularly updates their guidelines) is often worth it.
- You’re not aligned with current priorities. Funder focus areas shift over time, and what fit last year may not fit now. Unfortunately, this can mean that a funder you have worked with in the past may not be an option for your organization moving forward. Keep up with their guidelines annually to avoid surprises.
- You’re still proving your impact. This one can be particularly frustrating for new organizations still building momentum. Demonstrating that your implementation strategy works can take years to quantify. For this reason, we recommend that startup organizations gradually incorporate foundation fundraising into their revenue models and remember that grant money is not the best source of fast startup capital (see “Why Grants Might Not be the ‘Answer’ for Start-up Nonprofits”).
- You’ve been funded too often. Some funders cycle grantees to broaden their reach. But it’s still extremely important to continue to court your funders even if you’re on a break. Keep them in the loop with outcomes and success stories from your program, send thoughtful updates, and do not take for granted that because you received the grant once, you will receive it again. For this reason, Page Consulting always recommends prioritizing current (and even past) funders over new funders.
So what should you do after a decline? First, stay positive and stay in contact. Don’t assume that you, your organization, or your grant writer failed. Reach out to thank the funder for their time, and ask if they would be open to sharing feedback or willing to consider a future application. Even if you don’t get detailed input (many funders have a blanket policy against sharing feedback), your gratitude and professionalism will make an impression.
Secondly, take the opportunity to reflect. Consider all the components of the proposal you submitted. Were the organizational and project budgets accurate? Did they tell a clear story? Are you presenting consistent metrics of success? How compelling is your program given the landscape in which it operates?
Lastly, regroup and try again. If it’s your first time applying, make sure to keep the opportunity in your grants calendar for next year. Note any outreach conducted and plan for future stewardship of the relationship. Persistence and building relationships will be the key to success!