Grant programs don't usually fall apart because of one big mistake. They fall apart gradually - a missed deadline here, a lapsed funder relationship there, a narrative that felt thin because nobody talked to program staff in six months. The good news? A handful of consistent habits can prevent most of it.
Here are 5 key habits that keep a nonprofit grants program from failing and running on stress.
1. Check your grant deadlines every week
Just a glance at what's coming up and most important this week and next. Easy to see in Grant Frog on the Dashboard and Deadlines page.
2. Review your grant activity report every month
Review all your grants to see what you've been awarded, how much grant revenue you've received, what's been submitted and pending, and how much is upcoming. You can create saved reports for this in Grant Frog to view in 1 click.
3. Schedule regular funder check-ins
You want to stay connected with your funders throughout the year, not just at grant time. Send a quick update on your organization, a thank-you letter, and a check-in call. Stay on their radar year-round.
4. Get stories from program staff quarterly
Your best grant narratives come from real, current stories about your program. Reach out to program staff every few months to ask for any new client stories. Save these in your Grant Content Library in Grant Frog.
5. Make time for dedicated grant and funder research every quarter
Block time regularly to find grants and funders that fit your mission. You can research in Grant Frog with our Funder Intelligence tool, plus use our 19 unique methods to find grants and funders.
6. Focus on funders and foundations that are a fit for your mission
The right funders, pursued well, will always outperform a random list of long shots. Finding new funding matters, but don't waste time on funders who aren't interested in the work you do.
These 5 habits are key. A solid grants management setup gives you a place to find grants and foundations, track grant deadlines, cultivate funder relationships, and organize your content — so nothing falls through the cracks.
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