When applying for grants and writing proposals, one very common question for NGOs is: How long does it take to receive funding after submitting a proposal? To know this is very important to be able to plan the project and the work of the organization in general. But is it actually possible to answer this question? Not in general, as it always depends on the donor. There are some things to keep in mind though that can help the planning process.
Big donors or small foundations?
Awarding grants tends to be a very long process and so it can take a long time for the funding to actually come in. This is especially true for large donors such as government agencies which are very bureaucratic and slow-moving. Donors receive many proposals, therefore just reading through all the applications for a given opportunity can take weeks. Even after receiving confirmation of interest from a donor, organizations may still have to undergo further negotiations and wait for months before the funding arrives.
Smaller donors, although typically only able to give small grants, do tend to have less turn-over time in distributing funds. Additionally, past and current donors are often able to provide further funding to donees, because much of the initial due diligence has already been completed.
Where can I find out, how long it would take to receive money after a proposal?
For NGOs, it is very important to be able to find out, how long the awarding process will take. Before a project can start, many preparations are necessary, and for this, it is important to have a timeline. Many times, the donors already tell you how long their awarding process will be in the guidelines. Read them carefully to find every clue. Also, if your project wins the grant, the donor will normally tell you their timeline at that point in time. If they do not, you can always directly contact them and ask.
Why is it important to think about this for applicants?
When planning a project timeline, make sure to take into consideration the time it will take to raise the funds. Sometimes projects are time sensitive. In these cases, grants that have a long process are probably not the best choice. Think about the needs of your organization and how you can fulfill them if it takes a long time to actually receive money, even if you win a grant. Staff needs to be sustained, rent needs to be paid and other running costs need to be covered. Keeping all these factors in mind are parts of good project management.