How to create effective grant applications for COVID-19 relief grants.
As the impact of COVID-19 intensifies, more grant opportunities will sprout up for entrepreneurs. Here’s tips for maximizing your likelihood to receive funding.
Over the past two months a slew of grant opportunities have been offered by federal, state and local governments, foundations and funds, wealthy individuals and corporations alike. With specific focuses, varying factors of eligibility and a wide range of information needed to apply, it easy to feel confused and frustrated with the process and discouraged to apply. But your chances to receive funding increase by crafting a simple and effective application that can also save you time and energy in the long-term. Here are some of my recommendations.
It’s important to note that relief fund efforts, like many forms of grant-making and philanthropic efforts, can fall into the same inequitable practices that are pervasive throughout the industry. These practices often mean people with more time, privilege and grant-writing experience are more likely to receive funding. Now more than ever it’s essential to craft compelling grant applications to get the funding you need.
1. Quickly state your “what” and your “why”.
It’s easy to want to explain everything you do so a grant reviewer can get the full scope of the magic of your work. But you don’t have to get caught up in the details to get funding. State “what you do” (I run an inclusive yoga studio in Raleigh, NC) and “why you do it” (as a black woman, I wanted a space that centers diversity. We are the only black-owned studio in Raleigh).
Try to keep it succinct: there’s a sheer amount of grants out there and you want your point to stand out amidst the crowd. Can you boil down what you do and why you do it into two sentences? This gives a grant reviewer the essential information quickly.
And think of it as an introduction to someone at a networking event. How much time do you get to share your work when meeting someone for the first time? How can you make your story stick without overwhelming the listener with information?
2. Be clear on how the funds offered will help you fortify your work.
A specific ask usually yields specific support. Everyone can send a note that “funding will help their business during COVID-19”. But what does it specifically mean for you and your work? Make it clear how this grantor can be called into relationship with you. Reference the exact amount offered in the grant and give tangibles on how it helps.
Instead of:
“Pay rent and utilities”.
Try:
“This $500 grant will go towards our $1,200/month rent for the month of May so we can save our space before re-opening in June.”
“The $500 offered contributes towards the total cost of our payroll taxes ($1000/mo) which we need to pay to keep our Studio Manager on staff for another month.
If you’ve got a large fundraising goal (let’s say, $50,000) and the grant offering is small (say, $500), it’s hard to see how the $500 will make a tangible difference. Funders may be more inclined to fund someone with a smaller, more actionable ask that has a clear and immediate impact. So meet the grantors where they are with an ask that reflects their offer.
3. Apply as soon as you can.
Many grant opportunities related to COVID-19 are distributing funds on a first-come, first-serve basis. This definitely prioritizes those with the privilege to be constantly on the lookout and with the broadband and hardware to respond. If you see an opportunity, apply for it as soon as you can. We recommend having a folder on your laptop or saved as a draft in your email with a drafted grant response, which might decrease the time it takes to respond for future opportunities.
You might also want to set up free Google alerts with keywords related to the grants that are relevant to you and your work, like “wellness relief grant” “yoga studio grant” and “small business grants North Carolina”.
4. Double-check your contact information.
Make it easy for grantors to contact you! Double-check that your phone number and email address are correct. Save the phone numbers of organizations that are listed on their website as contacts in your phone so you don’t send them to voicemail. And add the emails associated with the organization to your contact on your email so you don’t miss an email that could go to spam. All grantors should be doing due diligence in finding your contact information if it’s incorrect, but the urgency of funding and speed of deployment may mean you’re skipped over if you can’t be contacted easily.
5. Stay courteous.
Being declined for funding opportunities sucks, especially if you’re in a dire need for cash. But these grant applications aren’t just a one-and-done scenario. Many organizations offering relief funding are also investing in people just like you throughout the year. And, as the impact of COVID-19 becomes more apparent, many organizations are planning to offer more relief funding in the future.
These difficult times are providing an incredible opportunity to build a long-term relationship with organizations that may not be soliciting new partners otherwise.
Instead of:
“Thanks for wasting my time”.
Try:
“Thank you for reviewing my application and the work you’re doing for our community. I’ll stay tuned for any future opportunities.”
6. Don’t take it personally.
The sheer scale of organizations applying for grant funding right now will mean that less people overall are chosen. Remember that getting rejected from grant opportunities does not mean your work isn’t worthy, especially in times like these. Keep applying and refining wherever you can, and don’t get discouraged. The more places you apply, the more likely you are to receive funding. Fundraising is a difficult and arduous journey, especially now. You and your work are not responsible for this chaotic environment.
