Grants Office: Looking Ahead: Grant Seeking in 2026

As nonprofit organizations look ahead to the coming year, they should take note, that the grants landscape is evolving. Changes to funding trends show in ways that reward intentionality, collaboration, empowering language, and thoughtful storytelling. Funding competition is fierce, and organizations that approach grants strategically are best positioned to secure support and build long-term sustainability. The strategies below will help prepare your grant seeking team for the year ahead.  

Here are 5 tips to prepare for the year ahead.

Partnerships:
Social challenges are complex, often they require a systems thinking approach to a solution that involves multiple sectors and industries to solve. Organizations that know their strengths and can leverage the strengths of organizations around them are better able to keep up with the changing times. For nonprofits investing in relationship building with peer organizations is well worth the time spent. Being clear about shared goals, complementary strengths, and measurable outcomes are a foundation for a competitive grant funded project. Strong partnerships strengthen proposals and communities.

Innovation:
Nonprofits should look beyond traditional funding categories for their sectors and explore innovative program models and pilot projects. Funders are increasingly looking for projects that are scalable, replicable and from organizations who can commit to tracking the processes for a successful program.

Engagement:
Private foundations can be a critical source of funding for nonprofit organizations, but successful engagement extends beyond a single application for funding. Funders value authentic relationships with the organizations they partner with. This includes open communication, transparency, and a willingness to engage in dialogue about challenges and learning. Nonprofits that take time to understand a foundation’s priorities, values, and giving history can tailor their outreach and proposals more effectively. Take time to cultivate relationships well before your initial ask and continue to steward the relationship post application or award.

Empowering Narratives

The way nonprofits tell their story matters. Funders are in tune with their communities and respond to narratives that center dignity, empowerment, and community strengths rather than deficit-based language. Empowerment focused narratives highlight how communities are actively shaping solutions and how funding will amplify existing strengths. Diversity Equity and Inclusion remain pillars of the foundation grant space and organizations should take the time to represent their communities respectfully and accurately. This will also build trust between a nonprofit and their project beneficiaries.

Planning Ahead

The future of grant funding will favor nonprofits that are collaborative, innovative and intentional. Successful grant-seeking requires proactive planning. Mapping out the cadence for the next six months or full year ahead will position your organization to proactively secure funding versus reactively chasing opportunities. Set a clear cadence for your team’s workload, and in turn, improve proposal quality, and reduce last minute submissions. By reviewing previous years application cycles, a nonprofit will be able to time their interactions with funders, laying the groundwork for relationship building long before the initial application is submitted.

Writing grant applications and finding funding for your organization’s projects is very rewarding and fulfilling. As communities evolve and change, nonprofits are at the center of it all, and the partnership with grant funders are a driving force for positive change. Proper planning in all aspects of the grant seeking process will best position your organization to find funding for this important work.