The Power of Hearing “NO”!

Who likes being told “NO”? I certainly don’t. Especially not when it has grant money involved!!

Initially I feel sad, “maybe my application wasn’t good enough”. Then, I feel scared, “if this funder said “NO” maybe all of the other funders will too”?!! And then, I get real!

Not all funders are going to be able to give you funding. There are SO many awesome nonprofits out there competing for the same funds that occasionally you won’t come in as number one. It is not because what you offer isn’t valuable! It’s because funders have to spread the wealth (and there are always more applications and requests than there is funding available).

However, you do get to use this “NO” as an opportunity.

-An opportunity to reach out the funder and ask them if they could offer insight on how you could better your proposal for the next application round.

-An opportunity to show the funder that you genuinely care about making sure your story is told in the proper way.

-An opportunity to better your relationship with that funder so they remember you the next time around.

Keys to making the most out of your call with the funder after you get a “NO”:

1. Make sure you are respectful of their time (email to schedule a call prior to calling them).
2. Ask questions in a way that isn’t shaming them for not picking your project (I’d love any insight you could offer on how I could make my proposal more clear).
3. Be gracious for their thoughts that will help you in the future by saying “thank you”, and “thank you for all that your organization does for our community”. Ask them if there was something you could have done to make your application easier to read for the reviewers. Be genuine about wanting to make their lives easier because their job, while it seems like peaches and ice-cream (that sounds like a yummy treat, I’ll have to try that sometime) it can be super difficult when they are telling folks “NO”.

Don’t get down on yourself when you get a “NO”. Like my grandma always says, “you won’t get fed if your plate isn’t at the table”. Just keep on trying and doing your best – someone will see the value in all of the work that you are doing and will be happy to say “YES”!

If you have a friend, co-worker, or favorite nonprofit that has just experienced this feeling of rejection, please share this post with them. We can all be the change we want to see in this world, together.