The Go-No-Go Grants Assessment is a practical, structured tool designed to help individuals and organizations evaluate grant opportunities with confidence and clarity. By breaking down key factors into a weighted scoring system, the tool simplifies complex decisions, ensuring your organization pursues only the opportunities that align with your mission, capacity, and strategic priorities.

This assessment includes 14 thoughtfully crafted questions that address critical aspects of grant evaluation, such as:

• Mission Alignment: Does the funder’s mission resonate with your organizational goals?

• Strategic Fit: Is the project part of your strategic plan or a new but essential priority?

• Capacity Assessment: Do you have the expertise, staffing, and time to execute and report on the project effectively?

• Financial Considerations: Does the potential funding outweigh the effort required to apply, and can you meet matching requirements or indirect cost recovery needs?

Each question is scored on a scale from 0 to 4, with critical factors weighted more heavily. The scoring system results in an overall numerical rating that provides clear thresholds for decision-making:

• Go (40–56 points): Strong alignment and readiness—proceed with confidence.

• Neutral (28–39 points): Consider carefully; there are risks that need mitigation.

• No-Go (0–27 points): Significant misalignments; it’s better to focus on other opportunities.

The assessment is collaborative by design, allowing teams to discuss each factor and ensure no single person bears the full responsibility for the decision. By engaging in this process, your organization can save time, focus resources, and increase your chances of success with grants that truly fit your mission and capacity.

Whether you’re an experienced grant writer or new to the field, the Go-No-Go tool is an invaluable resource for making informed, strategic decisions about which grant opportunities to pursue.