The Raw, Unfiltered Truth About Grant Funding
By Lorinda Santana | Remy’s Consulting
February 10, 2025 – Miami, Florida
If you’ve ever felt like the grant funding world is some elite club with secret rules, you’re not wrong. There’s a game being played behind closed doors, and most nonprofits are left scrambling to figure out the rules. Welcome to The Grant Writer’s Playbook, where I pull back the curtain and give you an honest, no-fluff look at what really goes on in the grant world.
This isn’t your typical “how to write a grant” guide. This is the insider edition—raw, unfiltered, and designed for nonprofits who are actually doing the work but feel stuck in a cycle of rejection, misinformation, or confusion.
So, if you’re ready to hear the truth about why some nonprofits get funded (and why others never will), how to navigate the unspoken rules of grant funding, and how to position your organization for success, keep reading.
🔎 Reality Check: Grants Are Not Free Money
Let’s kill this myth right now: Grants are not a magic ATM for struggling nonprofits. If you’re looking for a grant to “save” your organization, you’re already in trouble. Funders aren’t handing out checks to nonprofits just because they have a good heart. They’re investing in organizations that can prove they are effective, sustainable, and aligned with the funder’s mission.
Hard truth: If you can’t show that you’re already making an impact, no amount of grant writing will save you.
📉 Why Some Organizations Never Get Funded
I’ve seen it too many times: A nonprofit sends out dozens of grant applications, gets rejection after rejection, and then blames the system. But the real reasons they aren’t getting funded usually boil down to:
❌ They’re not actually grant-ready – No financials, no outcomes, no infrastructure.
❌ They don’t understand the funder’s priorities – Just because you do good work doesn’t mean you’re a fit for every grant.
❌ They apply for everything – A scattershot approach wastes time and damages credibility.
❌ They ignore relationships – Funders fund people they know. Cold applications have lower success rates.
🔑 Pro Tip: Stop Chasing Grants, Start Building Partnerships
One of the most unpopular but true facts in this industry? Winning grants is about relationships, not just proposals. The most successful organizations don’t just submit applications—they talk to funders before applying, build trust, and keep funders engaged long-term.
💰 The Grants You Should (and Shouldn’t) Apply For
Every year, I see nonprofits waste hundreds of hours applying for the wrong grants. Before you even THINK about writing an application, ask yourself:
✅ Does this grant align with my organization’s mission? If you have to “tweak” your programs to fit the grant, it’s not a good fit.
✅ Do we meet ALL the eligibility criteria? If you don’t meet even one requirement, don’t waste your time.
✅ Can we realistically complete the reporting requirements? Some grants require quarterly reports, audits, and detailed tracking. If you can’t handle that, don’t apply.
🚫 Red Flags: Grants to Avoid
🚩 No clear funder history – If there’s little public info on who they’ve funded before, proceed with caution.
🚩 Pay-to-apply grants – Legitimate funders don’t charge you to apply.
🚩 “Guaranteed funding” offers – If someone promises they can guarantee you a grant for a fee, it’s a scam.
📊 The Trends You Need to Know
The grant world is changing fast, and if your nonprofit isn’t keeping up, you’ll get left behind. Here are some key trends shaping the industry right now:
📌 More unrestricted funding – Funders are starting to move away from restrictive, program-only grants and allowing nonprofits to use funds flexibly.
📌 Data-driven decision-making – If you’re not tracking your impact with real numbers, you’re already behind.
📌 Fewer long-term grants – Many funders are shifting to short-term, project-based funding instead of multi-year commitments.
📌 Diversity & equity focus – Funders are prioritizing organizations that reflect the communities they serve—if your leadership lacks diversity, expect scrutiny.
🔥 Insider Secrets Grant Writers Won’t Tell You
I’ve been in this industry long enough to see what actually works (and what doesn’t). Here are some hard truths most grant writers won’t tell you:
🔹 Most funders already know who they’re funding before applications open. That’s why relationships matter.
🔹 Rejection doesn’t always mean “no forever” – It can mean “not now” or “not this project.” Follow up, ask for feedback, and try again.
🔹 One well-written, well-researched application is better than ten rushed ones. Quality over quantity wins every time.
🔹 Your budget tells a story. If your financials are a mess, funders won’t trust you with their money.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Play the Game, But Play It Smart
Grant funding isn’t impossible, but it’s not a game you win by accident. The organizations that get funded know the rules, build relationships, track their impact, and apply strategically.
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re on the outside looking in, I’m here to help. Stay tuned for future editions of The Grant Writer’s Playbook, where I’ll be sharing even more insider tips, funding opportunities, and brutally honest advice to help you secure the grants your nonprofit needs to thrive.
💡 Ready to take your nonprofit’s grant strategy to the next level?
Book a consult with me and let’s get you on the path to real funding success. 🚀