Frequently Asked Questions

What are grants?

Grants are non-repayable funds or products made by a grantmaker to a recipient, often (but not always) a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business, or individual. Getting grant funds usually requires submitting a proposal or application to a potential funder. Most grants will fund a specific project and require some level of compliance and reporting.

Who can apply for grants?

Many entities are eligible to apply for grants, including nonprofits, schools and school districts, and even municipalities. Almost all grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations. A very small number of grants are available to individuals such as students, artists, and businesses, but no grants exist for personal expenses such as debt payment, home purchases, or improvement.

Why Should We Apply For Grant Funds?

Grant funds can be an essential source of funding for your organization, especially if you’re expanding or creating new programs. Grant funds can supplement other funding such as individual and corporate donors, membership, fundraising events, and service fees. Generally speaking, grant revenue should not make up more than 20% - 25% of your total income since most grants are short-term revenue sources.

How long does it take to get a grant?

The review and decision process can take weeks or months after you submit your proposal. Nonprofits should consider the timing of their needs with the timing of their requests. Nonprofits should also remember that it often takes many grant awards from multiple funders to fund a program fully. Every foundation will have its own application process, deadline dates, and decision schedule.

What does a grant consultant do, and why do we need one?

A grant consultant works as an independent contractor, managing the grant-seeking efforts of its client(s). A grant consultant brings vast experience and knowledge to the table for their client(s). A consultant will typically be well-versed in seeking a variety of grant opportunities, giving organizations a leg up in their efforts to secure grant funding.

How much does a grant consultant cost?

A grant consultant or consulting agency will charge various rates depending on experience, the amount of work to be done, and how they structure their fees. Fund It Forward works to give clients the best possible return on investment, typically using a monthly flat fee for services, affording clients the ability to know exactly what their monthly fundraising budget will be. Avoiding hourly invoicing, clients aren’t faced with fluctuating costs and unexpected fees. After an initial call or meeting, Fund It Forward will provide a prospective client with a proposal for services that explains fee options and work expectations.

Will a grant consultant work on commission?

It is important to note that it is against the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards to accept compensation as a percentage of the grant funds awarded or any contingency fees. In most cases, it is unethical and/or illegal.

What is the typical process of working with a grant consultant?

Fund It Forward places a high value on the relationship it has with its clients. To begin, a consultation call or meeting is held in order to explore the needs of your organization, as well as decipher whether or not our agency would be a good fit for your organization. Once the partnership has been established, Fund It Forward will conduct grant research to identify potential grant opportunities for the client, pulling them together into a Plan of Action calendar to lay out a road map for the grant-seeking efforts.

Can a grant writer guarantee that a proposal will be funded?

No! If every proposal submitted were funded, there would be no need to give grant applications the time and effort they require. Working with Fund It Forward gives your organization the experience and knowledge needed to position itself for potential success, but no grant writer can guarantee that a grant proposal will be funded. This emphasizes the benefits of working with a grant consultant who understands what funders are looking for and has valuable experience in working through competitive grant applications.