Why Your Grant Proposals Keep Getting Rejected (And How to Fix It)
For grassroots nonprofits, securing grant funding can feel like an uphill battle. You pour hours into crafting your proposals, only to receive a rejection letter with little to no explanation. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and leaves you wondering: What are we doing wrong?
The truth is, grant writing is both an art and a science—which means it takes patience, strategy, and perserverence to master the craft. I, Beckie, have been writing grants since 2019, and I STILL hone my grant seeking and writing strategies on a weekly basis. While I can’t promise to turn you into a grant writing genius overnight, I can lend you some tips to course-correct if your grant proposals keep getting rejected.
Many grant rejections come down to a few common mistakes that can be fixed. If you’ve been struggling to secure funding, here’s why your proposals might be getting rejected—and what you can do about it.
1. You’re Applying for the Wrong Grants
The Problem:
Not every grant is a good fit for your organization. Many nonprofits apply for every funding opportunity they come across, but funders have specific missions, priorities, and eligibility requirements. If your work doesn’t align with theirs, your application won’t make it past the first review.
How to Fix It:
Do your research. Look for funders that have a history of supporting organizations like yours.
Read the guidelines carefully. Pay attention to funding priorities, geographic restrictions, and required documentation.
Build relationships with funders. Reach out before applying to ask questions and introduce your work.
2. Your Proposal Lacks a Clear and Compelling Narrative
The Problem:
Many rejected proposals fail to tell a compelling story. If your grant application is full of jargon, vague descriptions, or missing a clear problem statement, reviewers will struggle to see the impact of your work.
How to Fix It:
Start with the problem. Clearly define the issue your nonprofit is addressing and back it up with data.
Show why your nonprofit is the solution. Explain how your programs create change and why you are uniquely positioned to succeed.
Use clear, human-centered language. Grant reviewers aren’t always subject-matter experts—make your proposal engaging and easy to understand.
3. Your Budget Doesn’t Make Sense
The Problem:
A weak or incomplete budget is one of the fastest ways to get your grant rejected. If your numbers don’t add up, seem unrealistic, or don’t align with your narrative, funders will lose confidence in your ability to manage their money.
How to Fix It:
Be detailed. Break down your expenses clearly, showing exactly how funds will be used.
Make sure your budget matches your proposal. If you’re requesting $50,000 to run a mentorship program but only budget $2,000 for program-related costs, something doesn’t add up.
Demonstrate financial sustainability. Funders want to know you won’t collapse without their grant. Show other sources of funding or a plan for long-term financial health.
Want to learn more? Check out our FREE webinar on Budgeting and Fundraising for Grassroots Nonprofits.
4. You’re Missing Key Attachments or Information
The Problem:
You wrote a great proposal, but you forgot to include required documents like financial statements, a board list, or letters of support. Some funders will immediately reject incomplete applications.
How to Fix It:
Get grant ready. Our FREE Grant Readiness Checklist helps nonprofits gather all supporting documentation and information you will need for grants applications before you get started. Trust us, it’s a lot easier to carve out some and do this on the front end of a grant proposal rather than scrambling up against a deadline.
Create a grant checklist. Before submitting, double-check that you’ve included everything listed in the funder’s guidelines.
Organize your attachments. Make sure documents are properly labeled and formatted according to the funder’s instructions.
Ask someone to review your proposal. A fresh set of eyes can catch missing pieces before you submit.
5. You Haven’t Built Relationships with Funders
The Problem:
Many grassroots nonprofits apply for grants without ever speaking to the funder. But grants aren’t just about funding—they’re about partnerships. Funders are more likely to invest in organizations they know and trust.
How to Fix It:
Reach out before you apply. Introduce yourself, ask about funding priorities, and express interest in building a relationship.
Follow up after a rejection. If a funder turns you down, ask for feedback. You might learn what to improve for next time.
Keep in touch. Even if you don’t receive funding now, staying connected can lead to future opportunities.
6. You’re Treating Grants as Your Primary Funding Source
The Problem:
Many grassroots nonprofits rely too heavily on grants to sustain their operations. Funders want to see a diverse funding base, not an organization that will crumble if one grant doesn’t come through.
How to Fix It:
Diversify your fundraising efforts. Explore other funding sources like individual donations, sponsorships, or earned revenue. For more ideas on fundraising, check out:
Show funders you have a sustainability plan. Highlight other sources of income and how you plan to continue your work long-term.
Use grants to grow, not survive. Funders prefer to invest in programs that can expand and create lasting impact—not just keep the lights on.
Final Thoughts: Turning Rejections into Wins
Grant rejections are frustrating, but they’re also an opportunity to improve. If you’re serious about winning grants, take time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Research better-fit opportunities, refine your storytelling, strengthen your budget, and build relationships with funders.
Want expert guidance on improving your grant strategy? At Beckie Irvin Consulting and Research, LLC, we help grassroots nonprofits develop stronger grant proposals, research funding opportunities, and build sustainable fundraising plans. Book a consultation today, and let’s get your organization the funding it deserves!
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