So you didn’t get the grant: Down but not out!?

Man, that sucks! (can we say that in a work email?!) We get it. That feeling of not getting the grant you had your sights set on is disheartening. You had big plans for the future, for the staff you’d be able to hire (keep), the programs you’d be able to start (continue), and most importantly, the people you serve – members of your community who need you and your organization. You’re not alone, and this isn’t the end of the road – it’s just a pit stop in the journey of grant seeking.

Winning federal (or state) grants isn’t a sprint; it’s more like a marathon. It’s probably possible to head out your front door and run 26.2 miles, but you’d have to be in darn good shape. The key is to keep pushing forward and try again.

Here’s the silver lining: make this disappointment a valuable learning experience that will help you secure success in the future. Let’s roll up our sleeves and unpack some strategies to prepare you for the next grant opportunity that’s a perfect fit. We want to see you back in the running.

1. Review the Final Score

After every grant application, you should receive a scorecard. Federal (and most state) grants score each section, and provide direct feedback. Gather your grant writing team, and dive deep into areas where the reviewer scored you lower than expected or mentioned something missing. Understand why, and analyze the gaps between your submission and the reviewer’s expectations. At INCITE, our “win rate” for federal grants is over 3x the average win rate. One of our proven methods for that success is our practice of reviewing new clients’ past unsuccessful grant applications with a fine tooth comb, so we can help them rapidly reposition for future wins.

2. Sustain and Maintain

If you’re worried about service lines or staff you were planning to pay for with the new grant, know that it is possible to still sustain many services even without grant funding.

For instance, you may be surprised to learn that some staff billed against the grant, such as nurses, peer’s, patient navigators, and dentists can actually be fully covered by private and public insurance plans via strategic billing practices. Further, activities such as smoking cessation groups can also be covered if staff with the appropriate state mandated credentials are facilitating the group. 

Your first priorities will be:

A: Dig into your revenue cycle management and/or review your billing practices for any missed opportunities

B: Evaluate staff roles and credentials to determine if ongoing work may be billable for the services they are providing.

3. Build Your Contingency Plan

Take a step back and assess what you truly need to accomplish your organization’s mission and vision.

Get creative with the types of grants you pursue, and explore grants.gov for open opportunities. There are many opportunities outside of SAMHSA and HRSA-funded programs; look at HUD for housing or homeless services, the CDC for some prevention work, DOJ for work with justice-involved individuals, or locally, your health department or schools. Talk to your partners in the community; maybe you can apply for something together you may not have previously thought you’d be eligible for. Also, always reach out to your state and local elected representatives/officials; share your previous successes and impact data. Share your results and positive impact on the community. There may be initiatives or champions ready in the wings to provide gap funding.

4. Eye on the Prize

You should always be prepared to write your next grant. Make decisions now on who will be your grant writing team. We also always encourage clients to get their P’s in a row (Providers, Partners, Possibilities) now so that information is ready (and the MOU/BBA’s are signed) which demonstrates readiness and capability which significantly impacts the success of the grant application as well. If you plan to engage external grant writers, start the conversation now. Take a comprehensive approach to identify your data collection needs to make the strongest case for your application; get to know your competition; and get your team started by launching strategic QI and evaluation projects to be ready to go when the NOFO comes out.

5. Stay Positive and Keep Moving Forward

Don’t panic, take a deep breath, and maybe even go for a walk. Over the last 7 years, our team at INCITE has leveraged decades of professional expertise in the federal and state grant landscape to develop an industry leading success rate when it comes to helping our clients win grants. Tackle your next grant as a project you start today and keep yourself on task so you don’t get to next spring thinking, “OK, what do we need to do differently this time?” and “Oh, by the way, we still don’t have time to really get this done. Why didn’t we take the time to follow up after the last one?”.

You will make it across the finish line be it for a grant or a marathon, with the right training and coaching, time and persistence. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2015 and there were definitely a couple of long run days. I made it 7-8 miles and called my husband crying to pick me up because I just couldn’t go further. But I headed back out the next day, made the distance and so can you.

If you ever feel stuck or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to make it happen for you. And always remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So keep at it!

Do you have a wellness program? How can you support employees’ physical and mental health? Can you encourage your teams to rest and disconnect? INCITE can help you make it happen. Contact us for a conversation!