5 Things Funders Want You To Know
Here are 5 key insights funders want you to know.
Make your Impact Stand out.
Line up the Money.
Find the Sweet Spot.
More is Not Always Better.
Funders Value Honesty.
1. Make your Impact Stand out
Everyone makes the assumption that their project “is good” but so is everyone else’s. It’s up to the funder to determine where the real needs are within that pool of applicants. Articulating your impact is vital to your success.
2. Line up the money
Provide a budget with some rationale. Demonstrate how it fits within your overall plan. Do you have line items supporting and aligning with that plan?
Include real costs. Have you done the background work to understand the REAL costs of making an impact? Organizations are continuously underestimating the costs and time required to complete their projects.
There's a tendency in the non-profit sector to undervalue personnel time and resources required so we undercut costs. Impact requires an investment, don’t shortchange the importance of your work.
3. Find the Sweet Spot.
Remember that a funder is reading your application for the first time – can they understand everything after the first review of your application? Have someone outside your industry/sector read your application to make sure it all makes sense.
Find the right amount of detail. There needs to be enough detail for a funder to understand but you don’t have to share the granular details of your day to day. This is why funders use character counts 😉
Avoid jargon and abbreviations. Don’t make it hard for a reviewer to understand what you’re talking about.
4. More is not always better.
Focus your project and don’t water it down by trying to share all the details of everything you do. Focus your impact. Focus your details and make the best case that aligns with the funder’s priorities.
Understand your capacity to deliver on the project you apply for. Can you complete everything you’ve outlined within the timeframe? Don’t over-promise.
5. Funders Appreciate honesty
They want to know what’s working, and what’s not so they can help bridge the gaps. Other organizations might be dealing or struggling with the same obstacles you are.
I hope this provided new insights that will help you better understand the thoughts and motivations behind a funder.
Looking for more support and guidance?
At Circles of Impact we help you grow your knowledge and capacity to write stronger, more concise and successful funding proposals. Together we can fine-tune your applications to stand out to funders and increase your chance of receiving funds. Check out our services page to learn more.
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I’m Sara (she/her), the leader behind this mission, and I want you to believe in your power to make a difference. Just as a circle has no end and no beginning you too have the infinite potential to evolve, transform, and create change in your community and I want to help you achieve it.
