Most Common Reasons for Failure of Funding

Most common reasons for failure of funding include:

  • The grantseeker does not systematically search out potential funders from among public, foundation, corporate, and other funding sources
  • The grantseeker fails to pursue obvious available funds (e.g. donations, fee for service, loans.)
  • The grantseeker fails to talk with the funder to find out why the request was rejected
  • The grantseeker is rejected and gives up
  • The grantseeker stops seeking other grants/funds once they are funded
  • Grantseekers do not cultivate personal contacts with funders
  • Grantseekers do not get on Request for Proposal (RFP) or bid lists, receive funder newsletters or network effectively
  • Grantseekers do not thoroughly do the research on each potential funder to determine the funder’s real interests, geographic preferences, and dollar amounts
  • Grantseekers fail to build a team which would make them more competitive
  • Grantseekers fail to carefully review and meticulously follow funder instructions, policies, and guidelines
  • The proposal hasn’t adequately expressed the severity of the need
  • Proposals are boiler plated and shot gunned instead of tailored for each funder
  • Proposals are not consistent from section to section
  • Proposals do not reflect what the grantseeker know