The Nonprofitable Truth about Grant Writing: Three Mistakes I Don’t Want You to Repeat

Last year, I reviewed many grant applications. Some were funded. Some were close. Some never really had a chance.  

What stood out to me wasn’t a lack of passion or commitment. Instead, I kept seeing the same three mistakes pop up in strong organizations.

I say this from experience. Of the 37 grants I wrote or strategically supported last year (both for clients and my own projects), more than $3 million in operational and seed funding was secured. I’ve seen what works. And I’ve seen what quietly undermines good applications.

If you’re getting ready for funding season, consider this a friendly reminder to get prepared.

1. The Mad Dash to Chase a Unicorn Funder

When a new opportunity comes up, everything suddenly feels urgent.

You and your team change direction, priorities shift, and programs are adjusted just to meet the criteria. The focus turns to submitting the application instead of staying aligned with your mission.

The real issue isn’t moving quickly. It’s reacting without a plan.

When you rush your writing, your strategy becomes unclear. You start chasing funding instead of following your plan, and over time, this weakens your focus and ability to deliver.

Good grant writing starts well before the deadline. It means knowing what you want to achieve this year, what it really costs, and which funders support that direction. Your application should build on your strategy, not replace it.

2. Language That Sounds Impressive but Isn’t Clear

I get why people want to use a more formal tone. We all want to sound credible, experienced, and sophisticated.

But complexity is not the same as clarity.

If a reviewer can’t quickly see what you do, who provides the service, how often it happens, and what changes as a result, your writing isn’t helping you.

Confidence comes through in simple language, clear descriptions of your work, specific results, and real numbers.

Grant writing isn’t about showing how smart you are. It’s about making your impact clear.

3. Budgets That Underperform

This is the mistake that concerns me the most.

Too often, budgets are made to look lean rather than reflect the real costs. Staffing is underestimated, administrative costs are kept low, evaluation is weak, and sustainability isn’t clearly explained.

When the grant is approved, the team quietly takes on the extra costs.

That’s not sustainable. It just creates more strain.

A strong budget shows the full cost of delivering your work. It includes infrastructure and explains how the work will continue after the grant ends. Funders don’t want the cheapest proposal; they want one that will succeed.

Here’s the bigger truth.

Most grant mistakes are not writing problems. They are planning problems.

When your program logic model is clear, your outcomes are defined, and your costs are honest, writing the application gets easier. The story makes sense, the numbers add up, and the process feels calm instead of rushed.

That’s the difference between scrambling for funding and building a real funding strategy.

That’s what I want to help you learn.

Less reaction.  More structure.

If you’re reading this and need some leverage be sure to check out my Grant Writing Accelerator to avoid making these mistake on your next submission.