When the Perfect Grant Isn't Actually Perfect for You

We've all been there. You're scrolling through grant opportunities and suddenly one catches your eye. The funding amount looks good, the timeline works, and the funder's priorities seem to align with your organisation's mission. You start thinking, "This could be the one."

Then you read the guidelines more carefully.

That's when the mental gymnastics begin. You start asking yourself questions like "Could we stretch our current program to include that?" or "If we tweaked our approach slightly, would that count?" Before you know it, you're halfway to convincing yourself that yes, you absolutely do deliver those exact services the funder is seeking. Or at least, you could if you really tried.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: if you're having to force it, it's probably not the right fit.

The Temptation to Stretch Things a Bit

It's understandable why organisations do this. When you're constantly searching for funding to keep your programs running, every grant opportunity feels like it might be your last chance. You tell yourself that if you don't apply for grants that are a bit outside your wheelhouse, you'll never secure enough funding to sustain your work.

But this thinking is flawed, and it can actually harm your organisation in the long run.

As the great philosopher Raphaël Dubois once said, "Trying to fit a square organisation into a round grant is like wearing shoes two sizes too small. You might get somewhere, but you'll be limping the whole way." (Full disclosure: Raphaël Dubois doesn't exist. We made him up. But the wisdom stands.)

When you tailor your submission to fit what the funder wants rather than showcasing what you genuinely do well, you're building your application on shaky ground. You might have the passion and the intention, but if you lack the track record, the evidence, and the established resources to deliver those specific services, your application will likely show it. Funders have read enough applications to spot when someone's trying to squeeze themselves into a box they don't quite fit.

Focus on Your Actual Strengths

Yes, pursuing funding is important. Your organisation needs resources to continue making a difference in your community. But what matters even more is being clear about what you do best and where your expertise truly shines.

The grants you should be winning are the ones that align naturally with your existing work. These are opportunities where you can point to concrete evidence of your impact, where you have the right team in place, and where your organisation's expertise genuinely matches what the funder is seeking.

When there's a true fit between your work and the funding opportunity, your application practically writes itself. You're not scrambling to find examples or creative ways to describe your capabilities. You're simply presenting the solid work you're already doing, and it shows.

The Bottom Line

Pursue funding, but pursue the right funding. Be selective, be strategic, and know your lane. Your time and energy are valuable resources too. Focus them on applications where you can genuinely demonstrate capability, not just possibility.

Your organisation will be stronger for it. And you'll save yourself the headache of trying to deliver on promises that were a stretch from the start.