Networking is essential to build long-lasting community relationships that result in recurring grant opportunities. Learn the why, who, and how of networking as it relates to grant writing.
“Did you know that Emily’s mom’s grandma’s cousin’s husband’s brother’s friend knows Jeff’s uncle’s sister’s husband’s boss and that’s why she got into the program? She’s not even that smart. It’s just because she has that connection.”
Conversations like this take place more frequently than we would probably like to admit, but the truth of the matter is that these conversations tend to be right on the money. Why? Because it’s not about what you know, it’s all about who you know.
“According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking” [1]
So what does this tell us?
Networking is crucial if you want to get into any door, especially the grant door.
When it comes to grant writing, networking is simply building relationships within the community to help you find out about local funding, get to know grantors, and get letters endorsing the effectiveness of your church program.
So what’s all the hype? Couldn’t I just write a grant and submit it? I’m a gifted writer and I know what I’m talking about. Well, you could, but according to Andrei Kurtay of Novoresume, “When two candidates with relatively similar skills and qualifications are competing for a job, the one with a connection to the company will always have the advantage.”[2] Meaning, that the grant writer who has taken the time to network has the upper hand.
In the following article, we will be covering the why, who and how of networking when it comes to grant writing!
Why Network?
Word of mouth has, is, and for the foreseeable future will continue to be the best form of marketing. It “drives opportunity…. [and] possess the inherent ability to provide opportunities that previously did not exist.”[3] Networking enables you to prove yourself as invaluable in future communications with grantors, donors, and clients. Ideally, networking will lead you to
insightful collaboration,
constructive criticism, and
ultimately the improvement of standard practices and services.
One of the most crucial concepts to internalize is that practically everyone you come into contact with is a potential client or contributor. However, you should always be deliberate about who, where, and when you look for networking opportunities.
The credibility, financial stability, and sustainability of your organization are further established when outside investors back its initiatives. By training your mind to think in this way and making the most of every interaction opportunity, you begin to secure long-term sustainability. Networking breeds awareness and trust in a way that other forms of marketing never will. If grantors can see this, you establish yourself as a standout choice.
Who to Network With?
Jesse Arthur, chief experience officer at Exousia group states, “We have all heard stories of investors or celebrity philanthropists financing a business or non-profit and completely revolutionizing the productive capability and overall profitability of said business or organization. Well guess what, not everyone has an exorbitantly wealthy great uncle or ties to a corporate executive, most of these situations arrive suddenly and unexpectedly even if you were looking for them. What enables these incredible scenarios. More often than not it’s a simple pitch to the right person. I am reminded of a young entrepreneur only 13 years old who created a clothing line and started selling the attire in barber shops. The clothing line soon turned into a 6 figure income for the young man. However it was not until he sold a tracksuit to the friend of a (unbeknownst to him) very famous and wealthy athlete that the young man’s business truly took off. A $30,000 grant from the wealthy athlete to the young entrepreneur allowed him to open his first brick and mortar location, taking sales from 6 to 7 figures almost overnight. Moral of the story, always be prepared to pitch; you never know who the catcher might be.” [4]
As previously mentioned, it's essential to regard every interaction as a networking opportunity and to consider everyone you encounter as a prospective customer or contributor.
In this next section we will cover some of the key groups of people you should focus on networking with.
The Community
Connecting with your local community is essential to networking for grant writing. By connecting with your community it will allow you to analyze its needs and implement a system for allocating and utilizing funds. In order to know what’s going on in your community, you need to get out and be a part of your community. It’s as simple as that.
Social Impact Initiatives
Social Impact Initiatives tend to be educators, non-profit administrators, professionals, social activists, representatives of local government, and entrepreneurs. Networking with these kinds of people will provide tremendous opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas, information, resources, and opportunities to hone your pitch.
Non-profits
Establishing connections with other nonprofit organizations allows you to not only expand community awareness and impact, but also allows you to expand your reach and footprint within the community. These connections can provide access to environments and opportunity for collaboration. As a result, your credibility as a financial partner or beneficiary is enhanced, and your goal within your particular sphere of influence is achieved.
Businesses
Connect with local businesses and their owners as well as with corporations and their management teams as they are huge assets when it comes to obtaining financial support. Different forms of financial support which can be provided by businesses are as follows: cash donations, in-kind donations, volunteer efforts, fundraising support, sponsorship, letters of support for your program or project.
Legislators and Public Officials
Although legislators and public officials typically are not direct sources of funding, they can serve as conduits of information and connectivity. Aside from the advantage of resources, official endorsements from legislators and public officials can lend a tremendous amount of credibility. Good connections to seek for building your network are: local chamber of commerce, governmental steering committees, law enforcement and county sheriff, district attorney, district representatives, city mayor, city and county department officials.
Grantors
It is important to remember that some organizations exist just to raise money for the goal of giving back to the community. These groups should be given priority because they are crucial components of your network.
Governmental Agencies
Making connections with agency officials and representatives and using them in your larger networking strategy will be quite beneficial.
How to Network
So, it’s understood that networking is essential for grant writing and even who to network with, but how does one go about networking?
One of the most important concepts to remember when networking is that trust is absolutely crucial to establish. The "pursuit of excellence is the father of trust." Simply put, if you develop a reputation for always giving everything your best effort you will become a name and a brand that people can trust.
Grant writing is all about asking people and organizations to contribute money to your cause, often with little to no monetary return on their investment. This type of fiduciary support is based ultimately on trust. If these grantors trust you to do what you say you will do with their money, they are more likely to support your cause.
Another concept to live by when networking is faithfulness. Remain faithful in your support of other organizations, events, initiatives, and committees. Always follow through on your commitments to these organizations and the people in your network. Keep in mind that building a reputation requires being consistent. The more you concentrate on having a solid reputation in your area of expertise, the more the people you want to connect with will gravitate toward you. Always follow up with new contacts, and consider sending a follow-up email or text.
All in all, you must be consistent in order to create lasting bonds and give yourself a foundation on which to keep expanding your network.
Networking principles from the Bible
In the book of Genesis, we see the story of Abraham and his pursuit of a wife for his son, Isaac. We know that in this story, Abraham does not want Isaac to marry a local girl so he commissions one of his servants to travel to the land of his kin to find Isaac a wife. Abraham knew exactly where his servant needed to go and who he needed to talk to. His servant traveling wasn't a chance occurrence, and it wasn't even for practical reasons. He recognized which social group to pursue. Abraham understood the importance of it “not being what you know, but who you know.”
If we desire to further the kingdom of God through grant writing, how much more important is it that we apply principles taught to us in the Word of God like networking?
Networking can, at times, be uncomfortable, but there are souls who are relying on the furthering of our ministries to reach them! “Don’t run from the opportunity to network, run towards it.” [5]
Additional resources
Exousia seeks to educate and consult church leaders on how grants work and the importance of networking within grant writing. Our prayer is that you are inspired to go out and implement networking for grants in your church ministries. If you desire to learn more about grant writing, check out our online grant writing institute or attend one of our in-person workshops near you!
Grant Writing Strategies for Churches devotes an entire chapter to why networking is essential for grant writing and how to build community relationships. This chapter also includes a worksheet to develop your networking blueprint.
[1] Networking statistics everyone should know (2022 ). Apollo Technical LLC. (2022, May 25). Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.apollotechnical.com/networking-statistics/
[2]ApS, N. (n.d.). 25+ surprising networking statistics [relevant in 2022]. Novorésumé. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://novoresume.com/career-blog/networking-statistics
[3]Arthur, Jesse. “Networking to You.” By McKenzie Westland, 2023.
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