Grant writer thinking with hand on cheek

Introduction
Before You Apply: Strategy Myths

Myth 1: Call foundations for their award rate—if it's not at least 20%, don't apply
Myth 2: The spray and pray method works
Myth 3: Grantmakers don't want you to call before applying
Myth 4: You need 501(c)(3) status to get funding

While You're Writing: Process Myths

Myth 5: The first thing to do when writing a grant is to start writing
Myth 6: Use as many statistics as possible to prove need
Myth 7: In character-count applications, there's no room for photos or infographics

After You Submit: Outcome Myths

Myth 8: When renewing a grant, write the same thing year after year
Myth 9: If you didn't win, your proposal wasn't good enough

About the Profession: Expertise Myths

Myth 10: I won a grant ten years ago, so I'm just as qualified as you
Myth 11: You don't need certification to be a grant writer
Myth 12: Learning grant writing is about learning to build a business that earns $10K per month

FAQs

I've been writing grants for more than twenty-five years. I remember going to the library and flipping through a massive research book called the Foundation Databook to find grant opportunities. I remember submitting applications on several reams of paper, stuffing them into boxes, not envelopes, and mailing them off with a prayer. I remember the days before cloud collaboration—when you'd send a draft to your team and get five completely different revised versions back, then somehow had to piece them together like a jigsaw puzzle.

So take it from me, someone who has been in this field a long, long time: there are no shortcuts to learning grant writing.

And yet, shortcuts are exactly what a lot of grant writing advice promises these days. Some of it is well-intentioned but misguided. Some of it is outdated. And some of it is just plain wrong—repeated so often it starts to sound true.

In this article, I'm going to walk you through twelve pieces of grant writing advice I've been hearing lately that you should ignore. If you're getting frustrated by the bad advice out there too, I'd love to hear the myths you want to bust. Share them in the comments below.

Here are my top twelve.

Before You Apply: Strategy Myths

Myth 1: Call foundations for their award rate—if it's not at least 20%, don't apply

I heard this advice from a fellow grant instructor: figure out how many applicants applied last year, divide by the number that were awarded funding, and if that number isn't at least 15–20%, don't bother applying.

I think she was well-intentioned, but she wasn't fully thinking it through.

Here's the problem with this approach. First, what are those award rates even based on? The total number of applications received? The number that made it past initial screening? The number from organizations that were actually a good fit? These numbers can mean wildly different things depending on how a foundation tracks them—if they track them at all.

Second, most grantmakers don't publish this information. And if you're going to take the time to call a program officer, you don't want to spend it asking for abstract statistics. You want to talk about what actually matters: mission match. That's what they want to discuss. That's what will help you make a smart decision about whether to apply.

Third—and this is the big one—a huge portion of the applications any foundation receives are poorly written, off-mission, or clearly rushed. When you submit a targeted, well-crafted proposal to a funder who's genuinely aligned with your work, you're not competing against the whole pile. You're competing against the handful of applicants who did their homework.

Here's the truth: grant writing is about fit, not odds. A foundation with a 10% award rate that's perfectly aligned with your mission is a better bet than one with a 50% rate where you're stretching to make the connection.

Focus on match. Always.

Myth 2: The spray and pray method works

I'll be honest: I'm guilty of this one from when I first started writing grants. Send out as many applications as possible. Cast a wide net. Something's bound to stick, right?

Wrong. And I learned that the hard way.

Times have changed, and so has strategy. Foundations are overwhelmed with applications—many of them poorly targeted, hastily written, and clearly submitted by people who didn't bother to read the guidelines. The result? Some foundations have stopped accepting unsolicited applications altogether. They've closed their doors because the spray-and-pray crowd made it impossible to find the gems in the pile.

The organizations that win grants consistently aren't the ones submitting the most applications. They're the ones building relationships. They're picking up the phone. They're attending foundation webinars. They're having their Executive Director connect with program officers at conferences. They're doing the hard work that we never seem to have time for—but that makes all the difference.

Relationship-building is the hardest part of grant writing. It's also the most important. And a lot of it comes down to pushing your Executive Director to prioritize it. You don't have to do it all yourself—you just need to set them up for success.

I've seen EDs who do this brilliantly. They make the calls, they send the thank-you notes, they remember the program officer's name and ask about their work. And their organizations have multi-year relationships with funders who trust them. That's not luck. That's strategy.

For more on why spray and pray is killing your grant success, read my article on Why 2026 is the Year to Stop Writing Grant Proposals to Every Foundation.

Myth 3: Grantmakers don't want you to call before applying

I get why this myth persists. Back in the day, a lot of grant guidelines actually did say "no preliminary contact allowed." I remember seeing that language everywhere. And if you've been in the field long enough, that rule might still be rattling around in your head.

But that's not how it works anymore—at least not for most funders.

Today, program officers are actively working to find good awardees. They want successful partnerships. They want stories they can share with their boards about the impact their foundation is making. And they really, really don't want to waste time reviewing applications from organizations that aren't a good fit.

So when you call to ask whether your project aligns with their priorities, you're not being a nuisance. You're being respectful of everyone's time—theirs and yours.

Of course, there are exceptions. Some federal grants and highly competitive national foundations still have strict no-contact policies during open application periods. Always read the guidelines. But for most private and family foundations? Pick up the phone. Send an email. Ask if your project sounds like something they'd want to fund.

Nine times out of ten, they'll appreciate it.

For my best tips on how to approach these calls, check out my article on The Art of the Phone Call: How to Stand Out With Funders.

Myth 4: You need 501(c)(3) status to get funding

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me their organization couldn't apply for foundation grants because they weren't a 501(c)(3), I'd have enough money to fund a few grants myself.

Here's the reality: foundations want to fund charitable work. They care about impact. What they don't want is their money going to a private entity that's going to pocket the profits. But that doesn't mean 501(c)(3) is the only game in town.

I've worked with parks and recreation departments. I've worked with associations of apprenticeships. I've worked with schools and quasi-governmental agencies. And I've gotten them all grants from foundations whose guidelines explicitly said "501(c)(3) organizations only."

How? I called and asked.

501(c)(4) organizations can often apply. Schools and government entities almost always can. Fiscal sponsorship is a well-established workaround for grassroots groups that haven't incorporated yet. The point isn't your tax status—it's whether your work is charitable in nature and whether you have the infrastructure to manage a grant responsibly.

So if you see "501(c)(3) only" in the guidelines, don't click away. Pick up the phone. Explain what your organization does and its legal status. Ask if you're eligible. The worst they can say is no—and more often than you'd expect, they'll say yes. Read my article for more information Only Nonprofits Get Foundation Grants, Right…? Wrong.

While You're Writing: Process Myths

Myth 5: The first thing to do when writing a grant is to start writing

You've probably done this. I know I have.

You open the application, skim the guidelines, and dive straight into the narrative. It's the fun part, right? The storytelling. The vision. The part where you get to make the case for why your organization deserves this funding.

And then the clock starts ticking. Days pass. You're deep into the program description. You finally go back to re-read the full guidelines and realize you need a letter of support from a partner organization. You need an ink signature from your board chair. You need a updated balance sheet, and your finance director is at a conference.

And the board chair? On vacation.

Suddenly that deadline isn't looking so comfortable anymore.

Here's the grant writing tip that will save you more stress than any other: start with the attachments. Before you write a single word of narrative, read through everything the application requires. Make a list of every document, every signature, every piece of information you'll need to collect from someone else. Send those requests immediately.

Then start writing.

This approach gives your partners time to respond. It gives you time to chase down that balance sheet or get updated demographic data from the program manager. And it means you'll never again find yourself at 11:47 PM the night before a deadline, frantically refreshing your inbox and hoping someone comes through.

Trust me. Attachments first. Always.

Myth 6: Use as many statistics as possible to prove need

More data is better, right? If one statistic shows there's a need, ten statistics will really drive the point home.

Not quite.

I once read a proposal that included a statistic so startling I actually stopped and looked it up. Turns out it was completely false—either made up or wildly misquoted from its original source. And in that moment, I lost all trust in the proposal. Every other claim, every other number, every heartfelt story about impact—I couldn't believe any of it. The organization might have been doing incredible work, but I'd never know, because they'd destroyed their credibility with one bad stat.

Here's what grantmakers actually want: a few well-chosen, properly cited statistics that clearly establish the need your program addresses. That's it. You're not writing a dissertation. You're making a case.

And citations matter enormously. When you cite your sources, you're telling the grantmaker, "You can trust me. I did my homework. I'm not making this up." Even if a statistic is surprising or a little startling, a solid citation and reference list gives it credibility.

For more on how to approach data in your proposals without going overboard, check out my article on Right-Sized Evaluation in Grant Writing: What It is and How to Do It.

Myth 7: In character-count applications, there's no room for photos or infographics

I sat down with a program officer who manages grants for several family foundations and asked him point-blank: "What do you really like to see in grant proposals?"

His answer surprised me: "Pictures on every page."

He explained that when he met with the families funding the foundations to go over the grant requests, they were always drawn to the photos. Photos of programs in action. Simple infographics showing outcomes. Images that brought the work to life.

But what about those character-limited online applications where you're counting every keystroke? Surely there's no room for visuals there?

Think again.

Most online applications include opportunities to upload attachments—budgets, logic models, letters of support. And there's nothing stopping you from including visuals in those documents. An annual report with full-color photos be uploaded as a supplemental attachment. Your budget narrative can include a simple infographic showing how funds will be allocated. Your logic model can be designed to be visually engaging rather than a wall of text boxes.

The text boxes might be character-limited. Your creativity doesn't have to be.

After You Submit: Outcome Myths

Myth 8: When renewing a grant, write the same thing year after year

I get it. You won the grant last year with this proposal. Why mess with success?

Here's why: grantmakers don't like reading the same old proposal any more than you like resending the same boring information.

When a foundation invests in your organization, they're entering a relationship with you. They want to know what's happening. They want to hear how the community has changed, how your organization has adapted, what you've learned, what's working, what challenges you've faced. They want to see that you're paying attention to the world around you—not just running the same program on autopilot.

Renewal applications are an opportunity to show growth, responsiveness, and impact. Update your statistics. Share new stories that describe the current community conditions. Describe how you've adjusted your approach based on what you've learned. Show the funder that their investment is going toward a living, breathing organization that's actively engaged with its community.

Do better than copy-paste. Your funder deserves it. And honestly? So does your program.

Myth 9: If you didn't win, your proposal wasn't good enough

Rejection stings. And when you've poured hours into a proposal—crafting the narrative, gathering the attachments, getting all those signatures—it's natural to take it personally when the answer is no.

But here's something I've learned after twenty-five years in this field: there are so many factors that go into a funding decision, and a lot of them have nothing to do with the quality of your proposal.

Maybe the foundation's priorities shifted after they published their guidelines. Maybe they received an unusually high number of applications that cycle. Maybe a board member had a personal connection to another organization working in your space. Maybe your project was great but just slightly outside their geographic focus. Maybe they loved your work but had already committed their funds before your application even arrived.

I know a grant writer who submitted a strong application for a $10,000 grant and didn't get it. Instead of walking away, she followed up. She built a relationship with the program officer. In their conversations, she learned that another initiative her organization was running was actually a much better fit for the foundation's priorities. The result? A $300,000 grant.

That's not a typo. A $10K rejection turned into a $300K award—because she didn't assume the rejection meant her work wasn't good enough.

When you get a no, don't just move on. Ask for feedback. Build the relationship anyway. You might be surprised where it leads.

About the Profession: Expertise Myths

Myth 10: I won a grant ten years ago, so I'm just as qualified as you

I hear this constantly.

Everyone you talk to has written a grant before, and they love to tell you about it. "Oh, I wrote a grant once and we got funded. It's not that hard—anyone can do it."

And I smile and nod, because what else can you do?

But here's what I want to say: the grant landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Competition has increased exponentially. Foundations are more sophisticated in their review processes. Funders expect more detailed evaluation plans, clearer logic models, and stronger evidence of community engagement. The bar has risen.

Winning a grant in 2015 is not the same as winning a grant in 2025. The strategies that worked then may not work now. The formatting expectations have changed. The questions applicants are expected to answer have gotten more complex.

If you're a professional grant writer, don't be afraid to claim your expertise. You've kept up with the field. You've adapted to changing expectations. You've invested in your professional development. That matters. And it's okay to say so—kindly, professionally, but confidently.

Myth 11: You don't need certification to be a grant writer

Technically, this is true. There's no licensing board for grant writers. No one's going to arrest you for writing a grant without credentials.

And that's exactly the problem.

Anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a grant writer. There's no barrier to entry. Which means the field is full of people with wildly varying levels of skill, knowledge, and ethics. Some are excellent. Some are learning. And some are taking money from nonprofits that can't afford to waste it, delivering subpar work that damages those organizations' relationships with funders.

Only about 25% of grant writers hold a professional certification. Which means if you do have one, you immediately stand out. You're signaling to clients and employers that you've invested in your professional development, that you've met a standard, that you take this work seriously.

I believe in elevating the grant profession. I believe in demonstrating that grant writing is a skilled discipline, not something anyone can do after watching a YouTube video. And certification is one way we do that. Ready to earn your certification? Check out the Spark the Fire Certificate in Grant Writing course.

Myth 12: Learning grant writing is about learning to build a business that earns $10K per month

You've probably seen the ads. "Learn grant writing and build a six-figure business!" "Start earning $10K a month as a freelance grant writer!" "This course will teach you everything you need to launch your grant writing empire!"

And look, I'm all for grant writers earning good money. This is skilled work. You deserve to be well-compensated.

But here's the problem with courses that focus primarily on the business side: you actually have to know how to write grants first.

Being a good business person matters. Marketing yourself matters. Setting rates and managing clients and building systems—all of that matters. But if you don't have deep knowledge of grant writing itself, your business is built on sand. You might land a few clients. You might even collect some fees. But eventually, your clients are going to realize you're not as experienced or knowledgeable as you should be. The grants won't come through. The relationships will sour. And you'll be left holding nothing but a big bill from the overpriced course that promised to help you hustle.

There's no quick way to learn grant writing. It's a craft. It takes time. It takes practice. It takes feedback from people who know what they're doing.

Invest in real training. Take an in-depth course where you actually write proposals and receive feedback on your work. Build your skills before you build your business. The business will come—but only if the foundation is solid.

FAQs

What's the most common grant writing mistake beginners make? Starting to write before they've gathered all the required attachments and information. It leads to last-minute panic and missed deadlines.

Should I apply for grants even if my organization isn't a 501(c)(3)? Often, yes. Schools, government agencies, 501(c)(4)s, and organizations with fiscal sponsors are frequently eligible even when guidelines say "501(c)(3) only." Always call and ask.

How many grants should I apply for at once? Quality over quantity. A few well-researched, carefully crafted applications to foundations that align with your mission will outperform a dozen rushed, generic submissions every time.

Is grant writing certification worth it? Yes. Only about 25% of grant writers are certified, so having a credential immediately sets you apart and signals your commitment to professional standards.

What should I do if my grant application is rejected? Don't take it personally. Ask for feedback if possible, and continue building the relationship with the funder. Rejection often has nothing to do with the quality of your proposal.

How do I know if a foundation is a good fit before I apply? Call or email the program officer. Ask about their current priorities. Discuss your project briefly. Most program officers appreciate applicants who do this—it saves everyone time.

What is the best grant writing course? Spark the Fire's Certificate in Grant Writing course. It's an in-depth program with individualized feedback on your actual writing—not a one-size-fits-all video series. You'll build real skills with real support, which is exactly what it takes to become a confident, successful grant writer.

About the Author

Allison Jones, CEO and Founder of Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes, LLC, built one of the highest-rated grant writing education programs in the world, recognized for four consecutive years. She holds the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential, is one of only 30 nationally approved trainers by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, and has trained over 5,000 grant writers. Her book Meaningful Grant Writing is forthcoming in 2026.

Your Turn

What grant writing myths would you like to bust today? I'd love to hear the bad advice you've encountered in your grant writing journey. Please comment below—let's bust these myths together.

Grant Writing Advice You Should Ignore

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