Too Many Grants?
Use the 5 Cs Grant Selection Rubric and if you're a funder, send this tool to your grantees and portfolio companies. It's FREE.
Innovators: The Funding Roundup is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Funder? Instead of saying no, consider grants for the innovators you really want to see succeed — but you can’t meet their funding needs.
It can make all the difference.
Dear Impact Star,
Barry Schwartz's TED talk and book on the Paradox of Choice shared an interesting study:
16 types of jelly? You buy none.
6 types? You choose one.
Grants are no different. Too many options lead to inaction.
Yesterday, I was on the phone with Dave Witzel who helps me edit this newsletter.
"The hardest part sometimes is picking the right grant," I said, I offered the first week of the HIT SUBMIT Grant Sprint for free?"
Dave loved the idea.
So here we are. Week 1 of our Grant Sprint is now free: "Pick Your Perfect Grant."
Your HUGE quick win:
Fill it out for 3-5 grants you think are most promising for your organization.
Reply to this email with your your completed rubric for personalized feedback.
The 5 Cs Grant Selection Rubric:
Compatibility: Does it align with your goals, organizational size, and traction? For example, if they’re looking for someone who is further along, you’re unlikely to get it.
Case Studies: Do they fund projects like yours? Look at the case studies of previous winners featured by the grant funder. These success stories leave clues about what they’re looking to fund.
Cash Offered: Is it the right fit for your needs? I see some innovators applying for multi-million dollar grants when a smaller seed grant would be more achievable and quite sufficient. Similarly, if you’ve won multi-million dollar grants, avoid the smaller grants $10 K grants that will not move the needle for your organization.
Complexity: Is the juice worth the squeeze? Some grants are so onerous, they’re not worth applying for. Ditch those.
Bonus C: Co-Benefits: Is this grant worth applying for even if you don’t win it? (e.g., SBIR grants sharpen your business plan). I always like to write down a few wins I can have by going through the process of applying — outside of winning the grant.
What's Next?
Weeks 2-7 cover everything from creating your sprint calendar to polishing your proposal.
But first, let's nail Week 1 together.
Ready to pick your perfect grant?
The first 10 to reply with a completed Grant Selection Rubric will also receive Week 2 for free. I really want to see more impact organizations get the funding they need — faster.
Know someone considering grants? Forward this email. Help them find clarity.
About the Hit SUBMIT: Get-it-Done Grant Sprint that’s designed to be actually fun
Next week, we dive into breaking your selected grant into bite-sized pieces so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.
The goal is by September 9th, you’ll have a grant application worthy of submission.
Then reuse and repurpose that material again and again for every other grant you decide to apply for next.
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store for the following weeks:
Week 2: Create a Grant Sprint Calendar & Checklist
Week 3: Write the First Draft of Your Grant Narrative
Week 4: Construct Your Grant Budget
Week 5: Win Letters of Support and Assemble Required Documents
Week 6: Polish and Refine Your Grant Proposal
Week 7: Final Review and Submission Preparation
Many foundations ask, “How will you be sustainable?” And investors offer part of a funding round, but don’t have the capacity to offer the rest. This is where they can help their favorite innovators by allocating a small chunk of their funding to applying for and winning grants.
Send this email to someone who supports your work and ask them to sponsor your sprint. You may be surprised how open they are to helping — especially when they believe in your mission but just can’t give you the entire amount you need. The sprint could be the leveraged way of turning their dollar into 10 dollars.
Warmest,
Neesha
P. S. Thanks to David Witzel for his help - as always!
P.P.S. When you complete your rubric, reply to this email with the link and I’ll help you with your final decision. If you’re one of the first 10 respondents, you’ll also get free access to Week 2.
Funder? Consider Sponsoring This HIT SUBMIT Get-it-Done Grant Sprint as a ‘Grant Insurance Policy’ For Your Portfolio ✨
Diversifying the funding stack benefits funders as much as it benefits innovators. It also helps your portcos to find community in what is a lonely journey.
FUNDING ROUNDUP
United States
USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Phase I with anticipated funding of $13,000,000 for SBIR and $2,500,000 for STTR each year, awards range from $125,000 to $181,500. No letter of intent is required. Program areas include Forests and Related Resources, Plant Production and Protection (Biology and Engineering), Animal Production and Protection, Conservation of Natural Resources, Food Science and Nutrition, Rural and Community Development, Aquaculture, Biofuels and Bio-based Products, and Small and Mid-size Farms. Deadline: September 17, 2024. «Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Competition, focused on coastal habitat restoration, planning, engineering, and land conservation projects: total funding of $44.6 million, offering awards ranging from $200,000 to $6 million. Eligible applicants include coastal state or territorial CZM Programs, NGOs, educational institutions, and government agencies. Letters of Intent by August 15, 2024, and full proposals due by January 9, 2025.
The National Science Foundation's "Paleo Perspectives on Present and Projected Climate" grants aim to fill climate behavior gaps using geological records. Open to various entities, the program supports interdisciplinary research with a total funding of $14 million and an award floor of $400,000. Applications close on October 21, 2024.
The National Science Foundation's "Organismal Response to Climate Change" grants focus on studying how organisms respond to global climate changes. The program, with an estimated funding of $10 million, encourages proposals integrating organismal mechanisms with eco-evolutionary approaches. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and tribal nations. The deadline for applications is November 19, 2024.
The Environmental Protection Agency's "Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program" is offering a substantial $2 billion in grants for community-driven projects addressing climate challenges and pollution reduction. The program aims to strengthen communities while implementing thoughtful solutions to environmental issues. There are two funding tracks: Track I for large transformational grants ranging from $10 million to $20 million and Track II for meaningful engagement grants from $1 million to $3 million. The application deadline is November 21, 2024.
The NSF's "FORECAST" program aims to develop innovative capacity at emerging research institutions by training students to address climate change challenges. It offers grants for rising seniors, master's degree students, and planning grants for institutions. The deadline for applications is January 29, 2025.
The US Department of Agriculture invites applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in Vermont. Up to $1,000,000 is available for innovative conservation projects, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Eligible applicants from various sectors are encouraged to apply by September 30, 2024 (I know two regenerative ag organizations that won CIG grants). Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
The Philippines USAID-Manila is offering a grant for the Biodiversity and Resilience Activity, focusing on conservation, climate adaptation, and mitigation. The grant is open to various entities, with a closing date for applications on August 16, 2024. The activity aims to work with national and sub-national levels to develop policies, capacity, and conservation actions, with an award ceiling of $46 million and a floor of $40 million.
The NSF's "Biodiversity on a Changing Planet" grant aims to study Earth's biodiversity decline due to environmental changes like climate change. They seek interdisciplinary proposals exploring functional biodiversity connections amidst shifting environmental conditions. The application deadline is September 5, 2024, with $14 million in funding for about 12 awards. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profits, research labs, and higher education institutions.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is offering a grant to collect Fisher’s Ecological Knowledge (FEK) for better understanding of fishing in the Gulf of Maine for offshore wind planning. Eligible applicants from Maine to Massachusetts can apply for funding between $350,000 to $400,000 by August 10, 2024.
The National Science Foundation is offering grants for oceanographic facilities and equipment support, primarily for U.S.-based institutions involved in research and education. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and higher education institutions. The grants cover procurement, conversion, upgrade, and operation of platforms in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas. The deadline for applications is January 10, 2025.
The Department of Energy invites proposals for waste analysis and transportation strategies, with a deadline of August 14, 2024, and $17.5 million in funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, tribal governments, and others. The focus is on mitigating methane emissions and pollutants from organic waste, aiding communities in waste management, and reducing environmental impacts.
The Bureau of Land Management's Alaska Threatened and Endangered Species Program offers $146,000 for projects focusing on species conservation and habitat enhancement, with an award range of $5,000 to $140,000. Eligible applicants include various government entities, nonprofits, and tribal organizations, with applications due by August 19th, 2024.
Apply for the NSF's Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems grant to support the creation and management of new open-source ecosystems. With up to $1.5 million in funding, projects can focus on scoping, planning, or establishing sustainable open-source products. Applications for Phase I and Phase II proposals are due by September 5, 2024. » Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
Apply for the NSF's Design for Environmental Sustainability in Computing (DESC) grant to develop solutions addressing the environmental impacts of computing throughout its lifecycle. With up to $2 million in funding, the program seeks novel approaches that go beyond energy efficiency to improve sustainability metrics like GHG emissions, resource consumption, and system longevity. Applications for Type III projects are due by September 13, 2024. » Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
NSF's SBIR/STTR programs offer non-dilutive funding for innovative, high-risk R&D projects with potential societal and economic impacts. Full proposals are due on September 18, 2024; November 06, 2024; March 05, 2025; July 02, 2025; and November 05, 2025. Applicants must receive an official invitation via the Project Pitch process before submitting full proposals. The maximum Phase I award is $305,000, and proposals must be submitted through Research.gov by 5:00 pm local time on the deadline dates. » Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
Important Reminder for Climate, Renewable Energy, and Carbon Removal Innovators:Key dates to remember: Letters of Intent are due by August 26, 2024, and full applications by October 8, 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to advance your projects — we will share as soon as the link is live. » Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
The 2024-2025 EPA SBIR Solicitation is open from June 26, 2024, to August 21, 2024 (Solicitation/BAA number: 68HERC24R0185). The EPA seeks proposals for novel environmental technologies in areas like clean and safe water, air quality and climate, homeland security, circular economy/sustainable materials, and safer chemicals. Proposals must be submitted through FedConnect. » Perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint!
There are SO MANY US grant opportunities open right now…
United Kingdom
Innovate UK has a bunch of opportunities. See if any of them are perfect for the Hit Submit Grant Sprint?
MENA
The Violet Jabara Trust funds innovative projects in Middle Eastern countries, focusing on areas like economic development, health, environmental issues, and education. It also supports U.S. organizations that promote Middle Eastern cultural understanding. Priority is given to small, local organizations with high-impact approaches, with grants available for both general operating purposes and specific projects.
If I’m missing any opportunities, drop me a line so I can add them in next week.
ASIA
P4G is accepting applications for partnerships focused on climate mitigation or adaptation in food, energy, and water sectors, involving at least one early-stage business and one nonprofit in Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, or Vietnam. Applicants must contribute to poverty alleviation, gender equity, and economic growth within specific sub-sectors. Grants and technical assistance will be provided, with proposals due by September 8, 2024.
Don’t see a grant that’s right for you? Reply to this email and tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll see what other resources I can find for you.
Only Because The Lawyers Made Us:
Impact Stars and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
💌 Made with Love in Raleigh, NC for Systems Changers and Impact Innovators Everywhere. I only get to do what I do — because you do what you do. So THANK YOU. I’m so grateful when you share this post with others that might benefit!