The Worst Possible Place to Be in Grants—and How to Fix It Immediately.

Dear CEOs and Leaders,

You and your team work hard.

You’re smart and put in long hours.

You probably enjoy working too.

However, just the thought of “grant writing” probably brings up a bit of dread.

Here are some common grant-pain issues:

• “I’ve had a bad experience before.”
• “I’ve had no experience.”
• “What if I put a bunch of work in and lose?”
• “The paperwork is probably a nightmare.”
• “I don’t have time.”

All these reasons have a nugget of truth, but they are NOWHERE NEAR as serious as the actual worst thing in grants.

Funny thing is that the solution to fix this problem is simple.

MISSING A GRANT HURTS

I do webinars with organizations about grants.

At a recent webinar, I was showing attendees the Substance Use and Addictions Program.

On that page, you can see “Active Projects.”

I was surprised to see few of the attendees were approved for the funding.

 “Have any of you ever heard of this grant?” I asked them.

Now keep in mind, as you can tell from the title of the grant, it’s a very important grant.

What happened in the chat honestly freaked me out.

“No.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Me either.”

Wow.

Not knowing about an important grant (to you) is the WORST PLACE TO BE IN GRANTS.

You have to know.

Grant wins ranged from $100,000 to $2 million!

Tracking grants is important.

HOW TO STAY INFORMED

Here are ways to ensure that you don’t miss another one.

1. I recognize tracking grants isn’t easy for everyone, but you can sign up for notifications for your favourite grants. Go on their website and sign up.
2. Make one person responsible for grants. If you miss a grant deadline, one person needs to own it.
3. Having said that, it’s a group effort. I teach in the Advanced Grant Writing Course about the Grant Communication Funnel. All grants get sent to one person, who will review the grant immediately for a “deadline date check,” then review it in more detail at a 2X monthly meeting. Use your calendar to schedule some time every two weeks to “peek at grants.”
4. Get an accountability partner for grants.
5. Don’t be “penny wise and pound foolish.” I was honestly sickened when participants were saying, “I never heard of the grant.”

You need to invest a modest amount of time and money. Not much! But you can’t let seven figures slip through your fingers “not knowing.” I’m sorry, but I think we can both agree that is completely unacceptable.

For a mere $99 in year one, you can track weekly grant deadlines with Grant Gazette Pro! I’m even going to offer you an additional $20 coupon right now that expires Friday, September 26, 2025. Use coupon code NEVERMISSAGAIN at checkout.

If you’re a member of Alberta Municipalities, you even get PRO covered until August 31, 2026, as part of your membership! Email davidk@albertabusinessgrants.ca for details.

STAY POSITIVE THIS WEEK

One last thing before we go, please don’t be hard on yourself or your team.

Few people have received any formal training on grants.

You’re super smart, and you’re likely not “nailing grants” perfectly either.

I’ve been doing this my entire career, and I make mistakes too.

Having said that, you’re reading this post, so you have one major advantage: you’re getting smarter about grants.

Together, we can keep improving, creating new products and jobs, expanding markets, helping our communities, and have some fun along the way.

Have a great week.

David Kincade

Instructor Advanced Grant Writing Course

Publisher, Grant Gazette

davidk@albertabusinessgrants.ca

780-297-6177

P.S. Did you know the next Advanced Grant Writing Course starts November 4, 2025? I’ll teach you or your staff how to start winning government grants like you’ve never imagined.