Can Your Non-Profit Afford to Apply for a ‘Big Money’ Grant?

By Mel and Pearl Shaw As the new year begins many of us have big dreams for our nonprofit organizations and institutions. There’s so much we can accomplish. And some foundations, government agencies, and philanthropists have big dreams too. They bring them to life by funding nonprofits who can actually do the work that creates change, educates students, or cures Alzheimer’s disease, for example. Big dreams and big money magnetically attract each other. “Big” could be $25,000 or $25 million. It all depends on your operating budget. Whether you say “yes” to pursuing big money, or turn down such an opportunity, can impact your organization – and community – for years to come. Learn three questions to ask before making a decision. When you are approached to apply for a large grant it can feel as if your nonprofit has won the lottery. Maybe you’re a grassroots program, a national advocacy organization, or a college or university. In most cases the response is the same: you are excited and begin to evaluate how your programs fit into the grant guidelines. If the proposed grant could cover multiple years your team may feel the heavens have opened. Maybe, and maybe not....