Grant Writing in 2026: Key Trends Nonprofits Need to Know

The nonprofit funding landscape continues to evolve, and 2026 is shaping up to be a year where strategy and preparedness matter more than ever.

While grant funding remains available across many issue areas, funders are becoming more intentional about how and why they give. This means nonprofits must go beyond well-written proposals and focus on alignment, measurable impact, and long-term sustainability.

Below are the key grant writing trends nonprofits should understand and prepare for in 2026.

1. Funders want outcomes

One of the clearest shifts in grant-making is the continued move away from activity-based proposals to outcome-driven funding.

Funders are asking:

• What changed because of your work?

• How do you measure success?

• What lasting impact does this funding create?

This doesn’t mean nonprofits need complex data systems, but it does mean being able to clearly articulate:

• Baselines

• Short- and long-term outcomes

• How progress is tracked over time

According to research from Candid, funders increasingly prioritize organizations that demonstrate learning, evaluation, and adaptability (not just program delivery).

What nonprofits can do now:

• Refine logic models and outcome statements

• Identify 3-5 core metrics that truly reflect impact

• Collect stories and data to support results

2. Equity-centered and community-led funding continues to grow

Equity remains a major funding priority in 2026 but with more nuance than in years past.

Funders are looking for authentic community engagement, leadership representation, and evidence that programs are designed with communities, not just for them.

Publications like Standard Social Innovation Review emphasize that funders are shifting toward trust-based and participatory grantmaking models, placing greater value on lived experience and community voice.

What nonprofits can do now:

• Clearly explain who shapes your programs and decisions

• Highlight community partnerships and leadership roles

• Avoid jargon and focus on real-world impact and access

3. General operating support is more available, but also more competitive

General operating support and capacity-building grants are becoming more common, especially among private foundations. However, these grants often come with higher expectations.

Funders want to know:

• How will this funding strengthen your organization long-term?

• How are systems, staffing, and strategy connected to impact?

• What does sustainability look like beyond this grant?

The Council on Foundations reports that while flexibility in funding has increased, funders are more selective about which organizations they trust with unrestricted funding.

What nonprofits can do now:

• Build genuine relationships with prospective funders through networking events and social media

• Clarify your organizational strategy and priorities

• Be transparent about challenges and growth areas

• Demonstrate strong governance and leadership capacity

4. Technology and data readiness are no longer optional

In 2026, many funders assume nonprofits are using basic systems to track programs, finances, and outcomes.

This doesn’t mean expensive software, but it does mean:

• Organized data

• Consistent reporting

• Internal systems that support accountability

Organizations with clean, accessible data are better positioned to respond quickly to grant opportunities and reporting requirements. Funders view operational strength as a proxy for long-term impact.

What nonprofits can do now:

• Audit existing data and reporting processes

• Improve internal documentation and consistency

• Align program, finance, and evaluation teams

5. AI is a tool, but use it strategically

Artificial intelligence is a tool that many nonprofits are using to help with marketing and communications, but be mindful of how you use it.

While AI can support research, outlining, and editing, generic or overly polished proposals are a red flag. Funders expect proposals to reflect deep understanding of community needs, funder priorities, and program design.

Authenticity, customization, and compliance still matter, and funders can tell when applications are direct copy-and-pastes from AI tools.

What nonprofits can do now:

• Use AI to support, not replace, strategic thinking

• Ensure proposals are tailored to each funder

• Maintain a consistent, human voice in grant proposals

6. Grant readiness is a competitive advantage

Perhaps the most important trend in 2026: prepared organizations win more grants.

Grant readiness includes:

• Clear messaging and positioning

• Updated budgets and narratives

• Defined funding priorities

• A proactive grant calendar

Organizations that apply reactively, or without alignment, are at a disadvantage in a competitive funding environment. Funders know the difference between an application that has been mass-sent with a few tweaks versus an application that has been tailored to their specific organization.

What nonprofits can do now:

• Create a shared, centralized folder with commonly requested grant documents so teams can move quickly and respond confidently when opportunities arise

• Conduct a grant readiness assessment

• Prioritize funders aligned with your mission and scale

• Build a realistic, year-long grant strategy

7. Looking ahead

Grant writing in 2026 is less about volume and more about intentionality. Nonprofits that succeed will be those that understand evolving funder expectations, clearly communicate impact and outcomes, and invest in systems and strategies that will make it easier to find and apply for the right grants.

The good news? These shifts reward organizations doing meaningful and thoughtful work, making it easier for nonprofits like yours to stand out. 

Whether you’re refining your messaging, preparing for larger opportunities, or building a proactive grant calendar, we’re here to support your next step. Sign up for a free consultation at https://www.scribellcnc.com/booking-calendar/free-20-minute-consultation-with-scribe.