One of my favorite grant writers, Pamela Grow, says that when you get a rejection letter from a foundation, you must not just curl up and suck your thumb. This is an opportunity, not a death sentence. Grow says you must:
- Call the foundation...not to complain...but to get more information. Ask to talk to a program officer (or check the website to find a specific name) and ask these questions:
- Could we have done something differently in our proposal?
- May we resubmit the proposal for the next funding cycle?
- Do you know of any other foundations that might be interested in our proposal?
- Finally, write a gracious letter to the foundation. Thank them for their time, their review of your proposal, and the opportunity to work with them.
Never waste an opportunity to develop a relationship with a foundation. Even a rejection can pave the way for future consideration.
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