Once upon a time, in a cubicle far, far away, I saw an announcement for a senior grant writing position at a national organization. At first glance, it seemed like a dream job.
Then, I read further. Under the qualifications heading, it stated that they were looking for a grant writer who never made a mistake—that perfection was the goal for every grant submitted. What blows my mind as I think back is how carefully I considered the opportunity as something positive.
After over 25 years in the nonprofit and consulting sector, reading a job announcement like that would raise a huge red flag. Why would I want to consult or work for an organization that demanded perfection in every grant application? And how could I believe that I would never ever make a mistake?
Perfectionism is baked into our culture and often leads to difficult situations. In the latest episode of the Fundraising HayDay podcast, DEI facilitator Fleur Larsen delves into the ways that perfectionism can be a painful offshoot of white supremacy, damaging us all. Take a listen here: https://haydayservices.com/how-to-have-uncomfortable-conversations-about-race-bias-and-more/.
Whether you’re a seasoned grant writer or a newbie, the relentless pursuit of perfection is not your friend. Striving for excellence is a powerful goal in grant writing, where every word, or even every character, can make or break the chances of winning that funding. But relentless perfectionism can definitely stand in the way of sound, quality grant proposals delivered on deadline in two primary ways.
- Sweating all the small things: Searching for THE perfect word or agonizing over font sizes or paragraph breaks isn’t always the best use of your time. Of course, always follow the specifications in the RFP/NOFO/OFA or any other grant preparation instructions from the foundation or funding agency. Attention to detail is crucial, but overdoing it isn’t the best use of your time.
- Fear of Failure: The fear of not getting everything exactly right can cause procrastination (ask me how I know). Extreme perfectionism could cause you to blow a deadline. It can also mean missing out on grant opportunities with higher risks and rewards.
So, what’s a dedicated grant pro to do? Embrace imperfection to become a more effective grant writer. Why? Because a “perfect” proposal submitted late is worthless next to a good grant that comes in on or before the deadline. Decide on what “good enough” looks like and stick to it.
Don’t be afraid to get feedback or proofing help from colleagues. This can be especially helpful if they have never seen the grant before—bringing a fresh perspective and maybe some needed clarifications to a complex section.
You want to ensure all the data and descriptions are accurate—that’s job one! But take the actual writing one section at a time and focus on completing it to the best of your ability, knowing that perfection is not the most helpful endgame.
As grant pros, we can be very susceptible to the siren call of perfectionism. But it can be a slippery slope, leading to missed opportunities, burnout, and unnecessary stress. Embracing imperfection doesn’t mean chucking quality and professionalism out the window. Instead, it means finding a healthy balance for creating compelling, timely grants without sacrificing your well-being—and staying around to help communities transform toward the greater good. Doesn’t that sound just perfect?
DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services, LLC is so excited to be season 6 sponsors for Fundraising HayDay, a podcast about grants and such. Catch up on seasons 1 – 5 and stay up to date on the new season here.
Don’t let grants stress you out, check out the helpful grant writing services our team has to offer here.
