Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Grant Management

By December 30, 2013Grant Management

Nr. 10When it comes to grant management, there is a lot to get right, and perhaps just as much to get wrong. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow in order to ensure your grant management plan remains focused and effective.

Do

  • Perform your research ahead of time in order to ensure you know what the reporting requirements are as well as some basic information about the agency providing the grant.
  • Write your grant proposal carefully, paying special attention to the executive summary portion, as it is often the first part of the document that is read. Take care when crafting your problem statement, but don’t make it sound so negative that the person reading your proposal assumes there is no hope whatsoever.
  • Pay special attention to grant guidelines in order to ensure you comply with all of them. Failing to follow instructions to the letter can result in your grant being denied.
  • Choose your targets carefully, and do not invest a great deal of time submitting proposals that are unlikely to be considered by the funder.

Don’t

  • Submit proposals late or fail to provide the requested documentation within the specified timeframe.
  • Fail to keep everyone who needs to be involved in the process up to date with reporting requirements.
  • Forget to find out what requirements you will be asked to fulfill if awarded a particular grant, as your work isn’t necessarily done once you receive the money.
  • Be negligent at keeping up with deadlines. In fact, you should keep track of them on a calendar or by using grant management software whenever possible.
  • Wait until the last minute to gather the necessary information, as writing a grant proposal can be rather time consuming.
  • Fail to follow up with the funding agency to ensure all necessary paperwork has been received or to check on the approval process.

By following these dos and don’ts for grant management, you will be going a long way toward helping ensure the success of your non-profit organization. Staying organized and paying attention to detail will help your grant management process operate more smoothly, no matter what type of organization you are heading.