Finding the Right Grant Support: What Does Your Nonprofit Actually Need?

If you’ve ever felt like navigating the world of grants is overwhelming, you’re not alone. For many nonprofits, the challenge isn’t just finding funding opportunities; it’s also knowing how to pursue them with the staff, budget, and resources you already have.

That’s why grant support doesn’t look the same for every organization. A startup nonprofit with a part-time staff needs something very different than a decades-old organization with a full development team. The key is finding a support model that matches where you are today, while helping you prepare for where you want to go.

Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

No two nonprofits are the same. Missions, budgets, and capacity vary widely, and so do funding needs. Some organizations want to keep grant writing in-house but need expert guidance. Others need a team to take the entire process off their plate.

Common Types of Grant Support

Here are a few ways nonprofits can get the support they needs with grants:

1. Grant Coaching

For nonprofits that want to write proposals in-house but need structure, feedback, and accountability.

• Provides expert guidance without outsourcing the work.

• Helps build internal capacity and confidence.

• Best for organizations that want to develop staff skills while being competitive for funding.

2. Full-Service Grant Management

For nonprofits that want a hands-off approach.

• Includes grant prospect research, writing, submission, and reporting.

• Frees up staff to focus on programs and donors.

• Best suited for organizations with limited staff or those looking to scale quickly.

3. Strategic Planning & Pipeline Development

For nonprofits that want to see the big picture.

• Builds a clear roadmap of what grants to pursue, when, and how.

• Helps prevent last-minute scrambling.

• Best for organizations that want to be proactive instead of reactive.

4. Messaging & Storytelling Support

For nonprofits that need to sharpen how they talk about their missions nd impact.

• Creates consistent, compelling narratives for funders and donors.

• Ensures staff and board members tell the same story with confidence.

• Best for organizations that want to strengthen their overall communications.

5. Workshops & Training

For nonprofits that want to invest in staff skills.

• Provides tools and knowledge that last long after the training.

• Creates independence while still offering expert guidance.

• Best for organizations looking to build capacity from the inside out.

How to Decide What’s Right for Your Nonprofit

If you’re not sure which level of support your nonprofit needs, ask yourself:

• Do we have staff capacity to write grants internally?

• Do we need immediate results, or are we building long-term capacity?

• What’s our budget for grant writing support?

• Where do we want our nonprofit to be in 3-5 years? Do we foresee needing additional grant support, or do we picture ourselves hiring someone in-house?

Final Thoughts

When you’re looking for grant support, you want to make sure you are finding the right balance between what your nonprofit needs, and your goals for the near and long term future.

At Scribe, we’ve worked with nonprofits at every stage of the journey, from first-time applicants to seasoned organizations looking to diversify funding. Our job is simple: to meet you where you are, and help you move forward with confidence.

Ready to explore which type of grant support might be the right fit for your nonprofit? We’d love to talk through your options.

Book a free consultation: scribellcnc.com/free-consultation