When I was a very little girl, I can remember being whiny when I didn't get my way (only on occasion of, course!) and my mom would respond with "not everything is about you." Ouch!
Truth be told, I actually see nonprofits that sometimes act like whiny little girls as if it's all about them. Yep, I said it. How does a nonprofit act like a spoiled child? Keep reading to make sure this isn't you:
Apply for Grant Funding Where There is No Mission Match – Oh, one of my favorites! May I tell you the number of nonprofits that tell me something along these lines "We've applied to fifty funders and not one of them supported us." Upon just a little further investigation, I usually discover that a) they simply went down an alphabetical list of funders, paying no attention to whether it would be a good match or not, and applied anyway, b) they sent some type of form letter rather than the requested application and c) didn't even bother to personalize said form letter. Sheesh! What did they expect?
How about this one? Is this you?
Assume That as a Current or Former Grantee That a Renewal Grant is Automatic – Again, it's appalling the number of nonprofits that just "assume" a grant will be given if they have received grant funding in the past. And then they're shocked when they have done absolutely nothing to prove their worth, or don't go through the proper channels, and don't get a repeat grant. In my experience, even current and former grantees have to go through the same application process as everyone else. Don't assume anything.
Which brings me to my last point…
Fail to Provide Promised Deliverables – Grantees should always be respectful of what they have promised grant funders. Generally, a grant relationship is looked upon as a partnership by the grant funder and in this partnership certain things are expected: activity reports, numbers of people affected, advertising (if promised) and other deliverables. Why should a grant funder continue to support you if you don't do what you say you're going to do?
Yes, nonprofits are created to do good works in our community but responsibility is a must in continuing those good works. Make sure you don't fall into the "whiny" category and avoid situations that make you appear as such.
Truth be told, I actually see nonprofits that sometimes act like whiny little girls as if it's all about them. Yep, I said it. How does a nonprofit act like a spoiled child? Keep reading to make sure this isn't you:
Apply for Grant Funding Where There is No Mission Match – Oh, one of my favorites! May I tell you the number of nonprofits that tell me something along these lines "We've applied to fifty funders and not one of them supported us." Upon just a little further investigation, I usually discover that a) they simply went down an alphabetical list of funders, paying no attention to whether it would be a good match or not, and applied anyway, b) they sent some type of form letter rather than the requested application and c) didn't even bother to personalize said form letter. Sheesh! What did they expect?
How about this one? Is this you?
Assume That as a Current or Former Grantee That a Renewal Grant is Automatic – Again, it's appalling the number of nonprofits that just "assume" a grant will be given if they have received grant funding in the past. And then they're shocked when they have done absolutely nothing to prove their worth, or don't go through the proper channels, and don't get a repeat grant. In my experience, even current and former grantees have to go through the same application process as everyone else. Don't assume anything.
Which brings me to my last point…
Fail to Provide Promised Deliverables – Grantees should always be respectful of what they have promised grant funders. Generally, a grant relationship is looked upon as a partnership by the grant funder and in this partnership certain things are expected: activity reports, numbers of people affected, advertising (if promised) and other deliverables. Why should a grant funder continue to support you if you don't do what you say you're going to do?
Yes, nonprofits are created to do good works in our community but responsibility is a must in continuing those good works. Make sure you don't fall into the "whiny" category and avoid situations that make you appear as such.
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