FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t know what I’m eligible for. Where do I start?
There are several great databases around for both business grants and community grants. For business grants, have a look at GrantGuru or the Grants Hub. These databases also include community grants, and the Funding Centre focuses on support for the non-profit sector too.
Have a clear idea of the project you wish to obtain funds for, dedicate a few hours to research, and you should gain a good idea of what opportunities are relevant. Be sure to read through the guidelines provided by each funder to ensure you’re eligible and your project is aligned to funding priorities.
I’m a start-up business / charity / social enterprise. Can you help me get funding?
It is very difficult for start-ups in any field to win grant funds. You generally need to have a strong track-record, demonstrated success, and other sources of funding secured. While some start-ups may be eligible for grant funds, it’s very unlikely they’ll be competitive in comparison to the well-established charities and businesses that will also be applying for the same limited pool of grant money.
There may be some exceptions, so if you think you’ve found a perfect funding match for your business or charity feel free to reach out. We will always offer honest advice about your chance of success.
If you are new to grants, we recommend this podcast to get an idea of what it takes to become ‘grant ready’.
What is your success rate?
Many factors influence a grant’s success. While a well written application is absolutely critical, the applicant’s history and reputation, board of directors, finances, objectives, and accomplishments also play a role, as does the funder’s (sometimes undisclosed) preferences, plus the level of competition or service duplication that arises from other grant applicants. These factors are outside the grant writer’s influence. For that reason, we don’t track our success rate.
We do, however, have a long track record of working with repeat clients who have benefitted greatly from our skilled approach and can attest to our contributions. We also have a great record of major wins, totalling over $15 million for our clients over the past 24 months.
When should I get in touch about a possible application?
Please reach out as soon as possible, even before the grant round is officially opened. We often book out 4-6 weeks in advance, and a complex application may take 4-6 weeks to prepare. To guarantee availability please contact us as soon as possible.
Why don’t you charge only commission / only an hourly rate?
Charging only-commission does not work in grant writing; it’s considered bad practice. There are so many factors outside of the grant writers’ control, that even the most well-crafted, most compelling proposals can be turned down. Organisation history, reputation, evaluation framework, competitor relationships with funders, and more, all impact the success of grant applications. Plus – those grant writers who do charge commission-only generally charge an exorbitant rate (10% or more – we’ve even heard of 30%). This can be a huge outlay, and grant funds can’t actually be used to pay for a grant writer – you must have the cash available elsewhere in your budgets. An hourly rate means the grant writer is paid fairly for the quality work that is delivered.
That said – we also believe a small win-fee (we’re talking 1-2% commission) gives clients confidence that we have skin in the game. Some grant applications require many late nights, endless coffees, and long conversations. We only take on big projects that we believe can win, and we put in everything we can to give you the best possible chance of success.
How long does it take to complete a grant application?
Grant applications vary dramatically in the time required to prepare them. For small philanthropic grants (provided by trusts and foundations) applications may take 5-12 hours. For government grants, it may be more in the 15-25 hour range or above.
We generally only support applications for funding of over $20,000. When seeking a pricing estimate please provide the name of the grant program you wish to apply to, so we can estimate as accurately as possible.
Contact Us
If you would like to make a time to discuss a particular grant opportunity, please include the name of the relevant grant opportunity in your enquiry.
If you do not know what grants are available to you, please note that Clarity Content does not assist with research. You can refer to our FAQ for further information on where to find grants, and suggestions for start-up businesses and charities.