As an entrepreneur or innovator, there may be times when you need to communicate with a funder. Maybe you have identified an opportunity for an upcoming grant cycle, are dealing with a natural disaster or economic crisis that may affect a pending proposal. Perhaps you are hoping to submit a proposal in the funder’s next grant cycle. It’s important to know how to communicate with the funding agency effectively. Here are three scenarios in which we highly recommend communicating with a funder and some tips on how to do so effectively.
1. You have identified an opportunity for an upcoming grant cycle. You need clarification on the process.
If you’ve identified an opportunity for an upcoming grant cycle, it’s important to reach out to the funding agency to get clarification on the process. You may have questions about the application requirements, the timeline for submitting your proposal, or the criteria used to evaluate proposals. Before you reach out to the funder, make sure you’ve thoroughly reviewed the funding announcement and any other available materials.
This will help you ask more specific and targeted questions. When you reach out to the funder, respect their time and ensure your questions are clear and concise. Provide as much detail as possible so that the funder can understand the context of your questions. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to ask for additional resources or guidance.
2. A natural disaster or economic crisis may affect a pending proposal. Clarification is needed regarding the funder’s funding priorities.
Suppose you’re dealing with a natural disaster or economic crisis that may affect a pending proposal. In that case, it’s important to reach out to the funding agency to get clarification on their funding priorities. You may need to understand if the funder’s priorities have shifted due to the crisis. It is also important to inquire if your proposal is still being considered.
When you reach out to the funder, respect their time and ensure your questions are clear and concise. Provide as much detail as possible so that the funding agency can understand the context of your questions. Additionally, ensure clarity in describing the nature of the natural disaster or economic crisis.
3. You hope to submit a proposal in the funder’s NEXT grant cycle. You already have a relationship and need to ask some clarifying questions.
If you’re hoping to submit a proposal in the funder’s next grant cycle and you already have a relationship with them, it’s important to reach out to ask some clarifying questions. You may have questions about the funder’s priorities, their review process, and the proposals they seek. You may also have unique situations present in your project or among your team members that require clarification and are not addressed in the solicitation or FAQ page.
If you are asking clarification questions for an upcoming grant cycle, be sure to allow sufficient time for the review to answer your question at least 30 days in advance of the application deadline. This will allow sufficient time to craft a competitive proposal.
Communicating effectively with a funding agency is important for entrepreneurs and innovators. Whether you need clarification on the process, are dealing with a crisis, or are hoping to submit a proposal in the next grant cycle, it’s important to respect the funder’s time and ask clear and concise questions. By doing so, you can increase your chances of success and build a stronger relationship with the funding agency for future opportunities.
We work with high-growth startups and organizations that support the startup and innovation ecosystem. We build highly specific non-dilutive funding menus, provide proposal preparation services, and measure outcomes of funding through evaluation. Schedule a consult call with us HERE.