Have you thought about what you will do when you finally win a grant?

You and your team have worked long and hard to secure, and aside from being a little exhausted and anxious, you’re also extremely excited.

There’s a good chance you’ve focused so much on the work involved in securing the grant, as well as keeping up the running of your organisation, that you haven’t had a great deal of time to really think about “what next” when you do get it.

Obviously, a celebration is in order, so make sure you and your board, staff, and volunteers indulge in a moment of happy dancing and glass of bubbles. Although it is important to celebrate this great achievement, there are other things equally as important.

1. Thank your funder

Firstly, it is essential that you thank your funder, both personally and privately, as well as acknowledging them more broadly.

A phone call and follow up letter, ideally not an email, to your funder is best. Share the news with your board, and circulate an email or newsletter to your staff, volunteers, and supporters list, ensuring you acknowledge the support you have received.

2. Prepare

A good part of your grant application would have involved planning for the next year and beyond. It’s time to evaluate this plan, and delve deeper into it, in order to get into the nitty gritty of responsibilities and actions required.

This is also the time to set up any processes and procedures, as well as a system for documenting progress and problems along the way.

You’ll need to submit a final report, so it’s essential you have all the documentation in place and properly recorded. Prepare for this now and it will save you time and stress as your project unfolds.

3. Before and After

Part of documentation is recording the “before and after” of your project. It is also valuable for communicating and sharing this progress with your board, volunteers, supporters, and the general public.

Take photos, acquire anecdotes, or conduct a survey to get the views of your staff and volunteers, as well as the community that are impacted by your project. Perhaps even start your own journal or storyboard.

Remember to regularly update these things, so you can see the progress along the way. This can also be a great motivation for you and your team.

4. Share

Keep your funders, supporters, and general followers updated along the way. If you don’t already have them, set up some social media profiles on platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. These platforms allow for different kinds of information sharing, as well as collaboration and communication with your community.

Involving your community helps them to feel part of something special, but it also keeps them updated and informed. It provides them a connection to your project, and is more likely to help spread the word and gain you more support.

You might even like to set up a profile specifically for your project, but only if you have the time and energy, or support to do so.

5. Spread the word further

Once you’ve done the above, it’s time to send out a media release. Local papers love stories like this, as do specialist media. You may also gain the interest of some of the larger broadsheets, and the current affairs television programs.

Your project is worth it, and is having a huge impact on people who need it, so make sure you let as many people know about it as possible. Remember, also, to acknowledge your funder, and other supporters, in this media release.

On complete of the above, you’re now ready to turn this project plan into a reality!