Balancing Ambition with Realism
Often, once an organization has been granted funding, its members suddenly feel overwhelmed looking at the action plan and think, “How are we going to get all this done in a year?” This is a common struggle. Most nonprofits just don't have the capacity to be ready to launch a new program the minute they are awarded the funding. Often, the project implementation schedule is two or three months, sometimes more, behind the schedule (timeline) that was included in the proposal.
The grant writer must strike a balance between setting forth an action plan and schedule that are sufficiently ambitious to get the grant and setting a schedule that is realistic. And it's not only because the organization will struggle to get started — many grants are turned down because the action plan is unrealistic.
Set aside the first month or two of your action plan for tasks your organization can accomplish quickly or somewhat easily while you prepare to implement the newly funded project. For instance, include time to post a new job opening and interview candidates, or announce the grant award to the media.
Be thorough and detailed. Promise enough work on behalf of your client or employer to accomplish the stated goals, but not so much that even the grant readers shake their heads in disbelief.
Also be sure to write a paragraph about the capacity of the organization. Will it need additional staff to lead or carry out the project? Schedule at least thirty days early in the action plan for finding those people.
