If I had a dollar for every nonprofit leader who told me their grant strategy was “apply for everything and see what sticks,” I wouldn’t need to write grants for a living.
That approach has a name. It’s called “spray and pray.” And in my experience raising more than $125 million, it’s the #1 reason nonprofits burn out on grants before they ever see results.
Why “more applications” doesn’t mean “more funding.”
You don’t have to figure out grants alone.
With over $125 million in grants won, we know what funders are looking for. Our system lets you manage the grant writing process in less than 2 hours per month so you can focus on your mission, not your proposals. A free call takes 15 minutes and will show you exactly where to start.
Book Your Grant Game Plan → See what we’ve won for organizations like yoursEach foundation application takes time: research, writing, budgets, attachments…. Even a simple letter of inquiry can take 3-5 hours when done right. If your team submits 50 applications to foundations with no strategic alignment, you might win 2 or 3…. but your cost per win is ENORMOUS.
Worse, you’re training your team to produce mediocre applications fast instead of exceptional applications strategically. And reviewers can tell. A mass-produced proposal reads like a form letter. Funders move on.
The Area of Focus alternative.
Here’s what I tell clients: define your niche so clearly that you only apply where the alignment is 90% or higher. Instead of 50 scattered applications, target 15-30 foundations that are genuinely strong fits based on their giving history, geographic focus, program interests, and average grant size.
When you apply to fewer, better-fit funders, your proposals are more compelling because you can tailor every sentence to that foundation’s priorities. Win rate goes up. Time investment per application goes down. And your team doesn’t burn out.
Don’t contort your mission to fit a grant. Say ‘no’ to good money so you can say ‘yes’ to great money.
A quick self-check:
Count your applications from last year. How many did you submit? How many did you win? If your win rate is below 30%, you’re applying too broadly.
Look at your prospect list. Can you explain in one sentence why each funder is a fit for your specific program? If not, they shouldn’t be on the list.
Check your time investment. If your team is spending more time
Read How to Find the Right Foundation Grant →
Want us to evaluate how attractive your organization is to funders? Our Attractiveness Quotient™ assesses 15 indicators and gives you a customized plan.
Saying “no” to the wrong grants is the hardest part. But it’s the only way to make room for the right ones.
Ready to stop researching and start winning grants?
You’ve read the strategy. Now let someone who’s won over $125 million put it to work for your organization. Our Total Grants Management service takes less than 2 hours of your staff time per month.
A call is free, takes 15 minutes, and you’ll leave knowing exactly what’s possible for your nonprofit.
Book Your Grant Game Plan → See our track record firstGet Your Free Nonprofit Grant Calendar Template
Stop scrambling before deadlines. This template tracks application windows, board meetings, and reporting due dates in one place.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your inbox.
