Declare Independence from Chaotic Grant Chasing

This July, while fireworks light up the sky, let’s talk about lighting a spark in your grant strategy.

At Carinci Consulting, we believe every nonprofit deserves the freedom to pursue funding with clarity, confidence, and purpose—not burnout.
Just like the perfect fireworks display, successful grant seeking is all about timing, preparation, and strategic alignment.

So, here’s your permission slip to stop reacting and start leading your funding journey.

Because what if the real freedom this month came not just from celebration, but from finally having a strategic plan that sparks results—not stress?

💬 Client Testimonial Spotlight 💬

🎯 Lessons Learned: What Grant Success Rates Really Mean—and What to Do About Them

If you've ever hit "submit" on a grant proposal and crossed your fingers, you're not alone. But what if there were better ways to set expectations—and increase your odds of winning?
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Understanding funder success rates isn't just trivia—it’s a strategic edge. And most nonprofits aren’t using this data to their advantage. Here’s what the numbers are really telling us—and how you can turn insight into action.

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​1. 📉 Low Success Rates Don’t Mean "Don't Apply"—They Mean “Apply Smarter. ”Some large federal programs have success rates under 10%. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it—it means you need to invest in the right opportunity with the right strategy. Focus on fit, not just funding size.

🔗 Helpful Tool: Grants.gov Search Tool (check success rates and program descriptions)

2. 🔍 Use Funder History to Gauge Your Likelihood of Success. If a funder typically awards only 5–10 grants from hundreds of applicants, but you don’t meet all the eligibility criteria or haven’t built a relationship—maybe it’s not the right cycle to apply. Or maybe it’s a multi-year cultivation play.

🔗 Tip: Use Instrumentl’s 990 Snapshot to review past grantees and average award sizes.

3. 🧩 Matchmaking Matters More Than You Think. Funder alignment is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected—even solid ones. Build a grants pipeline where every opportunity is vetted for mission alignment, past giving, and relationship potential.

✅ Take Action: Review your current pipeline. Ask: Do we have a strong case for this funder? Are we just chasing dollars—or building partnerships?​
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4. ✍️ Invest in Fewer, Better Applications. Don’t spread yourself thin trying to chase every RFP. Success rates go up when you take the time to tailor proposals, tell compelling stories, and back them with strong data.
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💡 Insight: Carinci Consulting clients who build a 12–18 month strategy and prioritize funder fit tend to see win rates 2–4x+ higher than national averages.​
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5. 🔁 Rejection = Refinement, Not Defeat. Even the best-prepared proposals sometimes don’t win. But if you’ve made it to review or received feedback—don’t waste that intel. Use it to revise and reapply. Many funders expect to fund applicants on the second or third try.

🔗 Resource: FundsforNGO's Grant Application Feedback Guide ​
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✅ Bottom Line: Knowing a funder’s success rate is only useful if you combine it with strategy. The magic formula? High alignment + smart timing + quality proposals.
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Want help evaluating your current grant pipeline—or building one that gets results?📅 Let’s talk: Reply to this email to book a strategy call.

Don’t leave funding on the table.

Let Carinci Consulting revive your grant strategy with tailored support that helps you secure the funding your mission truly deserves.

Whether you need to sharpen your proposal language, align your ask with funder priorities, or rethink your approach—we’re here to help you get back on track.

📩 Ready to strengthen your strategy? Let’s connect, respond to this email to set up your free discovery call today!

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