Too Busy to Write a Grant? Get Expert Help for Your School or Nonprofit

Peggy Downs
Feb 28, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Jun 23

In a recent survey by GetEdFunding.com, "Lack of Time" was the #1 reason most respondents don't write grants. I understand! When I was a school leader, writing grants was not at the top of my list...far from it. But today I see how important grants can be in helping you meet your school goals. In this blog, I'll share five strategies that can help you make time for grants.

Woman in a suit with closed eyes holds head, appearing stressed. Doodles of clocks and hourglasses surround her on a gray background. — "Lack of Time" was the #1 reason most respondents don't write grants.

Find the blog and survey from GetEdFunding here:

https://blog.getedfunding.com/2020/02/get-insights-into-the-grant-writing-landscape/

1. Learn How To Delegate (Without Losing Control)

Most charter school leaders struggle to get it all done. You are expected to be an expert in too many jobs, and you never have enough time. It is easy to get buried in the details of a job that someone else could be doing, but how can you decide what to delegate? How can you be sure the job will be done well? Who is responsible if it fails?

This chart will help you decide when (and when NOT) to delegate, and how to manage outcomes and responsibility.

Delegating decision chart with four quadrants: Low Interest/High Expertise, High Interest/High Expertise, Low Interest/Low Expertise, and High Interest/Low Expertise.

You can learn more about how to delegate effectively in this free report: Know When To Delegate

2. Train a Grants Manager

Designate one staff member to be your grants manager. This will allow you to delegate many grant duties to someone who is prepared to handle them.

It is crucial to have one point of contact for all your grants. Provide training and support to ensure a successful grants program.

Responsibilities

Coordinate your school’s grant-writing efforts
Track all grants submitted
Prepare all required grant reports
Meet all grant deadlines
Participate in Grants Committee

See this blog for details on grants committees: Do I really need a grant-writing committee?

Help your grants manager be prepared for the job with these training and certification options:

Online Grants Training

FREE courses from Nonprofit Ready https://www.nonprofitready.org/grant-writing-classes
Ed2Go: A to Z Grant Writing https://www.ed2go.com/courses/business/operations/ilc/a-to-z-grant-writing
Ed2Go: Advanced Grant Proposal Writing https://www.ed2go.com/courses/business/operations/ilc/advanced-grant-proposal-writing
Granting Your Vision: Online courses in development Check website for updates at www.peggydowns.com/courses
Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants.html

Grants Certification Program

https://www.grantcredential.org

3. Make Sure It All Gets Done

The term grants administration covers all the tasks related to getting a grant and carrying out the project. The work typically involves a variety of staff members who are responsible for various duties related to the grant program. This may include, for example, the accounting department for handling the funds and preparing financial reports, the staff members who are leading the program, the office staff who may be ordering supplies or curriculum for the program, and the HR department who may be responsible for onboarding new staff being paid by grant funds.

All of these activities must be managed by a leader who understands the grant’s goals, the school’s goals, and the requirements of the grant agreement. You can be successful with grants when you ensure your school:

Is committed to instituting ethical practices that align with the school’s values and are in compliance with laws and grant procedures.
Develops and updates policies to address operations, responsibilities, and accountability for its grant program.
Creates and updates procedures for all grant functions, including financial reporting, transactions, and grant compliance.
Has established a system for finances and program administration.
Provides adequate training for all employees involved in the grant program.
Establishes systems to routinely monitor accountability and evaluation, within a continuous improvement cycle.

Sometimes the fear of how to manage the grants you win can be a roadblock. Prepare for effective grants administration with this one-page checklist. Download your free copy: Grants Administration Checklist

4. Start with These 5 Easy Grants

In this blog, you will find links to five simple grant applications and a description of exactly what you need to complete each one. I will summarize each grant's focus areas and typical projects, and all the important details you need to decide if it's a match.

Each grant in this list had to meet 5 criteria:

Funding amounts of $10,000 or less are accepted.
Applications are accepted year-round or at least twice per year.
Application process requires basic documents, nothing too unusual.
Application is one to two pages long or a simple letter of interest.
Application can be submitted online.

Learn more in this blog: 5 Easy Grants for School Leaders

5. Get the Right Tools to Make It Easier

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. That’s why I created the Strategic School Fundraising series—short, practical guides designed to help busy school leaders like you get organized, take action, and see results.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your existing efforts, you'll find clear steps, templates, and real-world tips in each book. Titles include:

Unlocking Corporate Sponsorships
Donor Letters Made Easy for Your School
Are You in the F.O.G. (Fear of Grants)?
Grants Planning for Schools
Winning Grants: Post-Award Management and Success Strategies (coming soon)

These tools were created specifically for schools and education nonprofits—and you can download them instantly. Browse the full collection in our store!