Build relationships with funders before you apply if you want to improve your nonprofit’s chances of securing grant funding. The strongest grant proposals rarely begin with an application they begin with trust. By engaging funders early, understanding their priorities, and developing genuine connections, nonprofits can position themselves as credible, mission-aligned partners long before funding decisions are made.
Organizations that consistently win funding rarely start with the application. They start with a relationship. Building relationships with funders before you apply isn’t about flattery or networking for its own sake; it’s about understanding a funder’s priorities well enough that your eventual proposal feels like the obvious answer to a question they’re already asking. Below is a practical roadmap for getting there.
Why Build Relationships with Funders Matters More Than a Polished Proposal
Program officers read hundreds of applications a year. The ones that stand out usually come from organizations they already recognize because someone from that nonprofit showed up, asked good questions, or shared relevant work months (or years) before the funding request ever landed.
A few reasons early relationship-building pays off:
- You learn unwritten priorities. Guidelines rarely capture everything a funder cares about this cycle. Conversations do.
- You get honest feedback. Program officers will often tell you directly whether your project is a fit, saving you from wasting a submission.
- You build trust before you need it. Trust is hard to manufacture inside a 10-page proposal. It’s much easier to build over several genuine touchpoints.
- You reduce the risk for the funder. Funders take a chance on every grantee. A known, credible contact lowers that perceived risk considerably.
Start with Research, Not Outreach
Reaching out before you’ve done your homework wastes everyone’s time. Before any contact, understand:
- Giving history. Review recent grants on the funder’s website, in the annual report, or in a database such as Candid/Foundation Directory Online. Look for patterns in geography, issue area, and grant size.
- Strategic priorities. Foundations often publish multi-year strategic plans. Read them. Quote them back (accurately) when relevant.
- Staff and board. Know who the program officer is, their background, and what they’ve said publicly: conference talks, webinars, LinkedIn posts, interviews.
- Mutual connections. A warm introduction from a current grantee or board member is worth far more than a cold email.
This research shapes everything that follows; it tells you whether a relationship is even worth pursuing, and what to talk about if it is.
Five Ways to Build the Relationship With Funders Before You Apply
1. Attend Events Where Funders Show Up
Funder convenings, sector conferences, and community briefings are built for exactly this purpose. Go with a goal beyond “network” — aim to have two or three specific, substantive conversations rather than collecting business cards.
2. Request an Informational Meeting (Not a Pitch)
Many funders welcome a short call or meeting outside of a formal application window, especially if you frame it around learning rather than asking. A simple, respectful request works well:
“We’re doing work in [issue area] and would value understanding your current priorities before we consider applying. Would you have 20 minutes in the next month?”
3. Share Your Work Without Asking for Anything
Add a program officer to your newsletter list (with permission), send a short update after a program milestone, or invite them to observe your work in the field. This keeps you visible and demonstrates impact organically, long before a proposal is on the table.
4. Engage with Their Public Content
Comment thoughtfully on a funder’s published report, reference their research in your own materials, or respond to their social posts with substance rather than a generic “great post!” This is low-effort, low-pressure, and builds familiarity over time.
5. Ask Current Grantees for an Introduction
If a peer organization already has a relationship with the funder, ask if they’d be willing to make an introduction or share honest insight into what the funder values. Peer credibility travels fast in the funding world.
What to Avoid
- Don’t ask for money before you’ve asked a question. Early contact should be about learning, not soliciting.
- Don’t over-email. A quarterly touchpoint beats a monthly one that starts to feel like pressure.
- Don’t fake interest in a funder’s priorities to fit your project. Program officers can tell, and it damages trust for future opportunities.
- Don’t skip the thank-you. If a funder gives you 20 minutes of their time, a short thank-you note referencing something specific from the conversation goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is it important to build relationships with funders before applying?
Building relationships with funders helps nonprofits understand funding priorities, receive valuable feedback, and establish trust before submitting a grant proposal. Organizations that engage early often submit stronger, more competitive applications.
2. How can nonprofits connect with funders before applying for a grant?
Nonprofits can connect with funders by attending conferences, requesting informational meetings, participating in community events, engaging with their published content, and seeking introductions through existing grantees or mutual contacts.
3. What should I discuss during an informational meeting with a founder?
Focus on learning about the funder’s priorities, current funding interests, and grantmaking approach. Avoid making a direct funding request and instead ask thoughtful questions that help determine whether your organization is a good fit.
4. How often should nonprofits communicate with funders?
Regular but respectful communication works best. Quarterly updates, newsletters, program milestones, or invitations to events help maintain visibility without overwhelming funders.
5. Can building relationships with funders guarantee grant approval?
No. Strong relationships do not guarantee funding, but they significantly improve your understanding of the funder’s expectations and increase the likelihood of submitting a proposal that aligns with their priorities.
6. What are the biggest mistakes nonprofits make when approaching funders?
Common mistakes include asking for funding too early, failing to research the funder, sending frequent unsolicited emails, forcing alignment where none exists, and neglecting to follow up with a thank-you after meetings.
7. Should small nonprofits build relationships with funders too?
Absolutely. Funders often value organizations that demonstrate authenticity, community impact, and long-term commitment regardless of size. Building relationships can help smaller nonprofits become more competitive for grant funding.
8. How do strong founder relationships improve grant proposals?
Organizations that have established relationships with funders can better align proposals with funding priorities, incorporate feedback from program officers, and demonstrate credibility, making their applications more compelling.
Turning the Relationship into a Stronger Application
Once you’ve built rapport, your eventual proposal should reflect it. Reference the conversation you had, address feedback the program officer gave you, and use the funder’s own language where it genuinely fits your project. This shows you listened and it signals to the review committee that this isn’t a cold submission.
Relationship-building with funders is a long game, and it won’t guarantee a “yes.” But it dramatically improves your odds by ensuring your proposal lands with someone who already knows your organization, trusts your work, and can see exactly where your project fits within their priorities. Start the relationship before you ask for the money.
Looking for more grant-readiness tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for practical fundraising strategies delivered monthly.
→ Book a free 30-minute strategy session with Jillian King, GrantSmarts Federal Grants Specialist or Samoine Flanagan, GrantSmarts Lead Grants Consultant at grantsmart.com/contact
Contact Us for Your Grant Support in Middleburg Heights, OH & Nearby Areas
Company Name: GrantSmarts Consulting
Address: 7055 Engle Rd, Building 6-601, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Phone: +1 2167585429
Visit Our Website: Click Here
Google Business Profile
