How to Know If a Grant Is Right for Your Organization
When you're leading a nonprofit, school, or small business, every opportunity counts—and so does every hour in your day. At Rocky Mountain Proposals, we know how tempting it is to chase every grant that sounds remotely relevant. But not every grant is a good fit, and spending time on the wrong ones can cost you more than just time - it can cost you momentum.
So how do you know if a grant is truly worth pursuing?
Here’s what we recommend considering before you invest time into a full proposal.
1. Does Your Mission Align with the Funder’s Focus?
This is the number one deal-breaker. If your organization’s work doesn’t clearly align with the funder’s priorities, your chances of getting funded drop significantly. For example, if a foundation focuses on environmental education and your program centers on general youth mentorship, even a creative angle might not make the cut.
Tip: Always review past grantees. If they look like you, it’s a good sign. If not, move on.
2. Do You Meet All Eligibility Requirements?
Some grants are geographically limited. Others are only open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, or newer organizations. Don’t assume you qualify. You must verify eligibility first.
This is why part of our grant research service includes filtering opportunities that actually match your org’s size, structure, and location.
3. Is the Timeline Realistic?
If an application is due next week and it requires letters of support, a detailed evaluation plan, and a budget justification, it might not be the best use of your time—especially if you don’t have a polished draft ready.
We tell our clients all the time: a rushed proposal rarely wins. Plan ahead or save that grant for next year’s cycle.
4. Can You Deliver on the Grant’s Expectations?
Some grants come with complex reporting requirements, matching fund obligations, or strict program deliverables. It’s important to ask:
Do we have the team to manage this?
Do we have the data to evaluate our outcomes?
Can we meet reporting deadlines without burning out?
If the answer is no, the cost of fulfilling the grant may outweigh the reward.
5. Are You Applying Just Because It's Available?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of applying for grants just because they’re there. But if the funding doesn’t support your strategic goals, it might push you off track.
At Rocky Mountain Proposals, we believe your grant strategy should align with your mission—not distract from it.
We Can Help You Decide
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. With our flat-rate grant research service, we deliver three well-matched opportunities tailored to your organization’s focus. We’ll even walk you through the pros and cons of each so you can apply strategically, not just reactively.
Ready to Find the Right Grants?
Let’s make sure your next proposal goes to a funder who’s already rooting for your mission.
Contact us today to get started or schedule a call if you’d like to talk through your current strategy first.
