We’re already in the last week of January and it’s hard to believe the first month of 2021 is nearly finished. Time can whiz by, especially when you’re hard at work with your current tasks. A new year has presented us with many opportunities already. In the world of funding, grants for community projects, environmental causes and technological advances are ramping up. Also, new funding for organisations affected by the pandemic is also available. There is plenty on offer for both individuals and organisations.
But how do you stay on top of all those opportunities and specifically your grant applications?
While it’s easy to be caught up in the now, we’ve thought of some great ways you can handle your grant applications. Don’t let any opportunity pass you by, especially when you’re planning for a year of success. #newyearnewme
Stay focused on the ‘why’ of the project.
Know the why and don’t let it slip you by! When planning and brainstorming your project, it’s really important to know the ‘why’ of your concept. Sometimes asking this question will provoke deeper discussions and take your ideas to the next level. If you keep centred on the purpose of your project, conversations and developments will stay orientated towards the main goals.
Remember why you started
On top of staying focused on the ‘why’, always remember the reasons why you started applying. Everyone knows that grant applications can be somewhat overwhelming - especially when they ask for additional materials to include with your proposal. While it may seem like a colossal feat at first, always return to the reasoning behind the project to not lose motivation. When you remember the benefits of the cause and are inspired by it, you’ll hang in there and generate a fresh perspective. Believe in yourself and you can do it. Plus, we at The Grants Hub know you can!
Find ways to increase your motivation
From breaking your grant down to seeking help or encouragement from other team members, there are a variety of ways you can find the motivation to spur you onto the next phase of your application. Set your goals, divvy them up into manageable tasks and plot your progress. Use rewards as an incentive and if you’re in a team, utilise your colleague’s strength. It’s easy to submit an application if you first make it easier for yourself.
Manage your grants by setting priority
If you organise your grants into priorities, it’ll help you stay on track and ensure each step of the application is progressing nicely. For example, you may highlight grants that are great opportunities, ones that the team still needs to consider, and grants you’ve already started applying for. From there, you can further section the grant out into steps addressing criteria that can be answered quickly and information that may require more input. Dig deeper into each area and generate a dynamic application with a thorough funding strategy.
Organise grants with Grants Calendar
Our Grants Calendar feature is available to Premium and Team plan members, allowing you to plan and forecast upcoming grants. Never miss a funding opportunity again, because it even suits grants that have closed. You can add missed grants into your calendar, and they’ll update when a new round opens again. You can also receive closing date reminders, add notes, and enter your own custom grants.
Be realistic with goal-setting
Choose SMART goals. That’s goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. When incorporating this method into your planning, you can focus your efforts and increase the chances of achieving the goals you set. By setting clearly defined parameters to your project, you’ll be able to see the forward progress and take pride in what you’ve accomplished.
Answer issues quickly
It’s important you don’t ignore the obstacles that may appear along the way, especially during the grant application process. Try to answer these problems quickly. If you can’t determine an immediate solution, invite team members or trusted third parties into a roundtable discussion. Try not to lose hope or momentum. You keep this movement going by constantly setting and revising your goals.
When 2021 rolled around, we set new goals and started planning. With a great grant application that’s been carefully considered, you can achieve the same. There’s no time like the present to start working on your ideas and filling your year with success.
Start exploring our Grants Directory for some great opportunities. New grants are added daily! Claim your 14-day FREE trial now.