Grants can be transformational for nonprofits, but only if they're the right fit. With so many options out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing every opportunity you hear about. The truth is: not every grant is a good use of your limited time.
At The Greater Sum, we help early-stage nonprofits sort through the noise. Here’s a practical framework for deciding which grants are worth pursuing and which ones you can safely set aside.
1️⃣ Start with Your Capacity, Not the Opportunity
Before you even look at a grant opportunity, get clear on what your organization is realistically ready to take on. Ask:
Do we have the financials, data, and reporting systems this funder will expect?
Can we take on any new reporting or compliance requirements?
Do we have time to write a strong, tailored application or will this compete with core program work?
If saying yes to the grant would stretch your team too thin or distract from your main work, it may not be the right time, even if you’re technically eligible.
2️⃣ Look for True Mission Fit
Plenty of grants sound great on paper but don’t fully align with your core mission or current programs. Chasing dollars outside your lane often creates more problems than it solves.
A few signs of strong fit:
The funder has supported work like yours before.
Your population, geography, or approach matches their stated priorities.
The grant supports what you’re already doing—not what you’d have to invent to fit their criteria.
3️⃣ Understand the Type of Grant You're Evaluating
Different grant types come with different levels of lift:
General Operating Support
The most flexible funding: can be used for salaries, rent, technology, or anything else you need.
Harder to secure, but incredibly valuable for long-term stability.
Program or Project Support
Funds a specific program, event, or project.
Requires you to clearly define goals, activities, and outcomes.
Capacity Building Grants
Helps strengthen your internal systems (training, technology, planning, fundraising).
Often smaller amounts, but can make a big difference as you grow.
In-Kind Support
Provides goods, services, or technology instead of cash.
Can save you money, but may require staff capacity to implement or manage.
Government Grants
Can offer significant funding for large-scale growth.
Typically competitive, complex, and heavy on compliance and reporting.
4️⃣ Watch for Red Flags
Even a seemingly perfect grant may not be worth it if:
The application is overly complex for a small payout.
Matching funds are required and you don't have a donor base ready.
The reporting requirements are burdensome relative to the size of the grant.
The timeline to apply is too short for you to submit your strongest work.
5️⃣ Relationship First, Application Second
The best grant opportunities usually come through funders who already know your work or who you’ve started building a relationship with. Cold applications are fine, but warm introductions increase your odds. As you build your pipeline, invest time in funders who are open to conversation, learning about your work, and walking with you over time.
The Bottom Line: Every Grant Is an Investment
Every application costs your organization time and energy. The best approach isn’t applying for more grants, it’s applying for better-matched ones. Focus on opportunities that fit your mission, match your stage of growth, and strengthen your long-term sustainability.
At The Greater Sum, we help nonprofits sort through grant opportunities, build pipelines that make sense for their size and stage, and write stronger proposals that lead to real partnerships.
👉 Not sure where to focus your fundraising efforts? Apply for our Virtual Incubator Program and learn how to focus on your most promising prospects.
Anna Taylor is Executive Director of The Greater Sum Foundation. Under her leadership, Greater Sum has supported over 100 organizations through strategic funding, capacity-building tools, and a virtual incubator model focused on long-term impact and sustainability.
