Debunking the Top 5 Grant Myths

Empowering Your School or Community Group to Get Grants

So, you’re looking at grants to boost your school's or community organisation’s fundraising efforts.
You’ve heard it all before, but let's debunk the five biggest grant myths and show you how to overcome them.

Myth 1: Grants are only for large organisations

Many believe that only big organisations with extensive resources can win grants. This isn't true! Small schools and community groups win grants all the time. The key is to clearly articulate your mission, the impact of your project, and your need for funding. Large organisations may have more resources, but smaller ones often have a closer connection to their communities and can demonstrate a direct impact.
Statistics indicate that small organisations are heavily represented in the grant-seeking landscape, with 49% of respondents in a major survey coming from organisations with annual revenues of less than $250,000. Additionally, eight out of ten applicants apply for grants worth less than $5,000, demonstrating that small organisations are actively pursuing and winning smaller grants, which are often more attainable (Our Community, Grants in Australia 2018).

ACTION: Focus on your unique story and how the grant will make a significant difference. Emphasise your community impact and local engagement to stand out. Provide specific examples of past successes and testimonials from those you’ve helped. Highlight your ability to deliver projects effectively, showing that you can manage funds responsibly and achieve your goals. Additionally, show how every dollar counts and makes a difference in your community, underscoring the value of the grant.

Myth 2: The application process is too complicated

Grant applications can seem daunting, but they're not impossible. The trick is to break down the process into manageable steps. Many organisations get overwhelmed because they try to tackle the entire application at once, but taking it step-by-step makes it more approachable.

ACTION: Start with a detailed project plan outlining what you need, why you need it, and how it will benefit your community. Use this as the foundation for your application, and tackle one section at a time. Make a checklist of required documents and tasks, and set deadlines for each. Reach out to the grant provider with any questions; they often have resources to help applicants. Don’t be afraid to seek feedback from colleagues or mentors who can offer a fresh perspective. Use templates and examples from successful applications to guide your writing.

Myth 3: Only professional grant writers can win grants

You don’t need to be a professional writer to craft a winning application. Authenticity and clarity are what matter most. Many successful grant applications come from people who are passionate about their projects and can clearly convey their vision and needs.

ACTION: Write in a straightforward, genuine manner. Clearly state your goals, the impact of the grant, and how you will manage the project. Use simple, direct language to make your case compelling and easy to understand. Be honest about your needs and realistic about what you can achieve. Include a strong needs statement and an outline of your project’s benefits. Use real-life examples to illustrate your points, and remember that funding bodies are looking for projects that align with their own goals and values. Practice makes perfect—review and revise your drafts until they clearly and effectively communicate your message.

HOT TIP: At Grant’d we firmly believe that 80% of the work to win a grant happens before you put pen to paper. Being strategic and having a solid plan for your school or community group will go a long way helping you to be clear about articulating that in a grant application.

Myth 4: You can only apply for one grant at a time

Some believe that you should only apply for one grant at a time to avoid confusion or to concentrateefforts. However, this can limit your chances of receiving funding. Applying for multiple grants increases your chances of securing the needed funds.

ACTION: Develop a grants calendar to manage deadlines and application processes for multiple grants simultaneously. Prioritise grants that align closely with your project’s goals and needs. Customise each application to highlight how your project fits the specific criteria of each grant. Delegating tasks within your team can help manage the workload, ensuring that each application receives the attention it needs.
Keep track of all applications to avoid duplications and to streamline the reporting process if multiple grants are awarded.

Myth 5: If you’ve been rejected once, you’ll never get a grant

A single rejection can be disheartening, leading many to believe they won’t succeed in future attempts.
However, rejection is often a part of the process, and many successful grantees face multiple rejections before achieving success.

ACTION: Use rejection as a learning opportunity. Request feedback from the grant provider to
understand where your application fell short. Use this feedback to improve future applications.

Persistence is key—each application you submit is a chance to refine your proposal and make it stronger. Keep updating your project’s impact data and success stories to continually enhance your application’s appeal. Networking with other organisations and learning from their successful strategies can also provide valuable insights.

Conclusion:

By busting these myths, you can confidently approach the grant application process and increase yourchances of securing the funding your organisation needs. Remember, persistence is key. Even if you don’t win a grant on your first try, use the feedback you receive to improve your future applications. Your dedication to making a difference in your community is your strongest asset, and with the right approach, you can unlock the funding needed to achieve your goals.

By Janine Owen, Grant'd: Impact storytellers and experts in grants management and strategy. 

Looking for more tips and information? Head on over to our facebook group Australian Grants and Funding Support to connect with the Grant’d team and meet other grant seekers in our growing community of 6000+.