Building Community in Philanthropy Through Donor Feedback
A grant proposal from a nonprofit organization represents more than just a request for funding; it represents time and energy, both of which are often in high demand and short supply in the nonprofit sector. The applicant is often expected to go to great lengths to prove both their worth and their program’s viability. So how do we build community and work toward a more balanced applicant / funder relationship?
Understanding the transactional nature of the relationship is important. But in order to rebalance the power structure - which is a necessary step in building community - it’s imperative that applicants receive meaningful feedback from the resource holders. The simplest way to solve for that is through direct communication on why a grant wasn’t funded. Sharing candid feedback helps build the field, redirects resources to where they might be better suited, and strengthens the outcomes that both applicant and funder are working toward.
It isn’t always easy to ask why your program wasn’t selected. Communicating with donors can be daunting, especially for groups without full time fundraisers or language barriers that make written communication intimidating. But it’s an important step in building a successful program, in learning what is and isn’t working, or how something might be better represented in writing.
Transactional relationships have more than one side, and in the case of fundraising it sometimes means that both parties have to move beyond their comfort zone to push forward their shared agenda. Meeting in the middle might mean a 15 minute conversation or a few lines in an email that end up nudging that power balance in the direction of equilibrium. Each situation is unique, but when building community and sharing power is the goal, even small steps can make a difference.
So, don’t be intimidated! The next time your hours of work on an application are met with the standard decline response (competitive applicant pool, few resources), send a polite response asking for a little insight into why your program wasn’t selected. Thank the donor for their time, but mention the importance of building community and the ability to continue to serve the cause or population you both care about. Your time and efforts are valuable.
