In the world of nonprofits, a grant denial often triggers a familiar routine: a deep breath, a review of the application, and an email to the grantmaker requesting feedback. We’re taught to learn from our failures. But what if we’re missing a crucial piece of the puzzle? What if the key to unlocking future funding lies not just in dissecting our rejection, but in celebrating and understanding our victory?
It’s time to shift our perspective. While there is value in understanding why a proposal was denied, the reasons can often be beyond our control—a change in the funder’s priorities, a highly competitive funding cycle, or simply a subjective element in the review process. Obsessing over these “failures” can be a frustrating exercise.
Instead, let’s focus on what we can control and replicate: our successes. When you receive that coveted award notification, the work isn’t over. This is a golden opportunity to engage with the grantmaker and ask for specific feedback. Instead of *only* following up with an email, note, or call of gratitude to the grantmaker for the award notice, also add a request for feedback on the funded proposal.
Try following up with questions like these:
- What about our proposal stood out?
- Which elements of our program design were most compelling to you and your colleagues?
- What about our project are you most excited to hear about once implemented?
Be transparent that you are asking them for feedback so you can understand more about what they liked about the proposal, as it will benefit your reports and approach to the funding partnership with them, but also aid in how you approach other funders for the sustainability of your work.
Understanding the specific ingredients of your success provides a blueprint for future applications. It allows you to build on your strengths, refine your approach, and create a consistent track record of excellence. By actively seeking feedback on your wins, you move from hoping for success to strategically replicating it. So next time you celebrate a grant award, remember to also seek feedback so you can think about how you can replicate your success. The insights you gain may be the most valuable input you receive all year.
I’d love to hear from you if you have already been requesting feedback on *awarded* proposals as a standard practice in your grant-seeking work. What is your go-to question to ask when you solicit feedback? Let me know in the comments below.