Steps to avoid when applying for funding.

1. Zelenz Consulting & World Grants| Shella Zelenz, M.A.Ed., Ed.D.*
Grant Readiness - Denials

2. Having 501(c)3 or other nonprofit
charity status QUALIFIES you to
receive donations and grants. It
DOES NOT ENTITLE you to funding
from anyone!
You have to earn it and deserve it!
Entitled?

3. Some common reasons social enterprises are not considered eligible
for funding:
 Organization is or is no longer at the early stages of its development.
– Please read the foundation’s eligibility carfefully.
 Organization is local in scope, focused on a small region with no plan
to expand its reach or service area.
– Some foundations are only interested in funding scalable ideas. Please read
eligibility.
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

4.  Idea is unfocused. The social enterprise is trying to solve too many
problems or is using too many models and programs to achieve its
goals.
 Idea and/or implementation strategy lacks clarity. The plan is not
comprehensive or is hard to understand.
 Scaling plan is not viable. The revenue model or the operational
model is not sustainable.
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

5.  Entrepreneur does not choose to make building the social
enterprise a full-time commitment.
– Hobby nonprofits are rarely funded.
 Idea is not unique or is a replication of a program that already exists.
– Be sure that you are creating something not currently available in your area in
order to demonstrate meaningful impact.
 Idea will not create systemic social change. The solution presented
does not address root causes or deliver enduring benefits.
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

6.  There is no solid plan to measure outcomes.
– Evaluations are critical. Be sure you have a solid plan to measure outcomes.
 Model does not have potential for large-scale (national or global)
impact.
– Read foundation eligibility guidelines – are they looking for long-term large
impact?
 Organization is a program of a larger organization, rather than a stand-
alone entity.
– Fiscal sponsorship is not supported by all foundations.
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

7.  Applicant failure to follow instructions
 Applicant use of outdated application format/instructions
 Ideas proposed not relevant to funding agency mission
 Little or no programmatic relevance because of…
 Applicant failure to communicate with agency program officer
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

8.  Applicant failure to convince reviewers of the need for the proposed
work
 Applicant failure to provide strong rationale for the project
 Applicant failure to demonstrate adequate knowledge of published
literature
 Lack of essential applicant experience
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

9.  Proposal “padded” by inclusion of non-essential personnel
 Missing evidence that environment is conducive to successful
completion of the work
 Unrealistic amount of work proposed
 Methods proposed not appropriate for questions asked
 Missing or inappropriate statistical considerations
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

10.  Diffuse, superficial, or unorganized proposal
 Uncertain outcomes and/or future directions
 Applicant failure to consider potential problems/alternative strategies
 Interdependence of aims/goals
 Some aims irrelevant to testing hypothesis or achievement of overall
objective
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

11.  Ideas too complicated to easily understand
 Applicant failure to consider perspectives/sensitivities of reviewers
 Too much detail/too many variables
 Reader-unfriendly application
 Application written to make applicant happy (but not reviewers)
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

12.  Applicant failure to address all agency review criteria
 Unrealistic budget proposed
 Lack of adequate budget justification
 Misinterpretation of deadline for application
 Failure to get critical review from colleagues prior to submission!
Reasons for Grant Funding Denials

13. http://worldgrants.org
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discuss your strategy