How To Bounce Back After Grant Rejection

How To Bounce Back After Grant Rejection

By Jackie Weston, Relationship Manager

Experiencing my first grant rejection as a new grant writer felt a lot like getting dumped by my first boyfriend. The rejection consumed me as hundreds of questions burned in my brain. Is there someone else? Is she prettier than me? Is it because of my weird toe? As I wallowed in my sadness and drowned my sorrow in pint after pint of Rocky Road ice cream, I received another grant rejection and another until one day…they chose me. Yes, I will accept this rose!

With my confidence restored, I got my pep back in my step, held my head high, and once again began to strut my stuff…grant-wise. I submitted proposal after proposal until, one day, another grant rejection. Gasp - it’s definitely because of my weird toe.

The grant rejection process is akin to the breakup process, and the cycle is vicious. Shock, denial, anger, grief. Shock, denial, anger, grief. Finally, a win! Shock, denial, anger, grief. But one day, you finally realize it’s not me; it’s them. Or is it?

The Reality of Grant Rejection

Sources vary on the ratio of grants awarded to the total number submitted, citing between 10% and 30%. This means that only 1-3 out of every 10 grant proposals will be awarded. So if you submit 10 grant proposals in one month and only 1-3 are awarded, it’s like being broken up with 7-9 times in one month. Oh, the heartbreak! 

The reality is that even if you checked all the boxes and produced the perfect grant proposal, it may still be rejected. It is important to understand that funders often receive hundreds or even thousands of grant proposals, and sometimes yours just isn’t “the one.”  Funders have limited grant funding (sometimes only funding 1%-10% of funding requests) and simply can’t fund all requests. Although your grant proposal may seem polished and perfect, perhaps someone else’s project was simply a better fit with the funder's current priorities. In some instances, your proposal could be rejected merely because the funder’s portfolio is full or they’ve already allocated all of their funding for the year. 

OUCH!

Rejection stings, period. We all have an inner teenage girl who wants to be accepted by her crush. But, like all break-ups or rejections, it gets a little easier each time. What’s important is how you choose to handle the rejection.

Scientists have found that the brain responds to rejection much like physical pain, activating the same areas of the brain. Our brain copes with rejection over time, just as it does with physical pain. It’s natural to feel disappointed when you have invested a significant amount of time and effort into writing a proposal that was rejected. It is crucial to allow time to acknowledge your feelings, process them, and move on. Talk to a friend or colleague. Do something nice for yourself. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion. But most importantly, don’t take it personally. They rejected your proposal, not you. View this as an opportunity for growth and use your emotions to propel you forward toward future success.   

Accept the sting. Anything worthwhile often involves some level of pain. Accepting rejection is one of the most critical skills a grant writer can possess. No one secures a ton of funding without facing rejection. As with physical pain, repeated exposure will eventually reduce the sting.  

Bouncing Back From Rejection

Some funders send the elusive break-up letter rejecting the grant proposal, and some just ghost the applicant. Although it’s a rarity, some funders even provide feedback regarding the reason for the rejection. To those kind souls, I say, “Thank you,” as you saved the writer days of questioning and self-doubt.

It’s not you, it’s me.

Step 1. Figure out why your proposal was rejected

When you receive the “it’s not you, it’s me” letter, something akin to “although we were very impressed with your project, we received an overwhelming amount of funding requests…” this is your cue to try again next year. Especially if it was your first time applying to that specific funder, as many funders are hesitant to award an applicant the first time they apply. Before reapplying, try to find out who they awarded the previous year and for what project to get an idea of what types of projects they are currently interested in. Also, focus on cultivating and building a relationship with the funder before the next grant cycle.

He’s just not that into you.

Step 2. Utilize feedback to improve your next proposal

One of the most crucial steps in dealing with grant rejection is to review any feedback provided by the funder. Thoroughly review your grant proposal through the lens of the funder based on the feedback. Was there something you could have done differently to better align your proposal to the funder's mission? Some of the most common errors pointed out in funder feedback include failure to state clearly defined outcomes or financial issues in which the budget doesn’t match the narrative. Make a detailed list of potential improvements, and use it as a reference when reapplying for this grant in the future. Use the feedback to reposition your proposal to provide a more compelling case for your next grant proposal. While analyzing your opportunities for improvement, don’t forget to also look at what you did well. 

I hope we can still be friends.

Step 3. Continue cultivating

Never, ever burn the bridge with a funder after experiencing rejection. Although you may feel angry and rejected, never express that to the funder. Avoid expressing any negative feelings and instead reach out to thank them for taking the time to review your proposal. If feedback wasn’t provided, inquire about how you can strengthen your proposal for the next application cycle. If possible, continue to build the relationship by including them in your communication list or inviting them to future events. 

I’ve met someone else.

Step 4. Explore other funding opportunities

Like every angsty teenage girl getting over a breakup, one must eventually put down the Ben & Jerry’s, put on their big girl pants, and move on. After working through the first three grant rejection steps, including figuring out why it was rejected, utilizing the feedback to improve your next proposal, and continuing cultivation, you’re ready to move on to the final step: exploring other funding opportunities. As you begin prospecting and researching additional opportunities, you will need a clear head. Use grant search tools such as Instrumentl, Foundation Directory Online, GrantStation, and Grants.gov to identify potential funding sources. Also, never underestimate the power of a well-crafted GOOGLE search. Select another funding opportunity and use your revised case to knock it out of the park. Eventually, a funder will like it and put a ring on it!