Study reveals keys to winning grants
Posted on 20 May 2025
By By staff writers, Institute of Community Directors Australia
Persistence, planning and strategic focus continue to be the keys to grant success, according to new data released by the Funding Centre.
Its latest survey, based on responses from nearly 100 grantseekers using the Funding Centre platform, reveals top trends and challenges for not-for-profits (NFPs) seeking funds. The results reinforce previous research findings and highlight ways smaller organisations can punch above their weight.
More applications, better odds — but time remains a barrier
Respondents submitted an average of 19 grant applications in 2024, with a mean success rate of 35%. Notably, five small NFPs — each with annual revenues under $250,000 — reported a 100% success rate. These groups operated across diverse fields, including community development, children and family services, homelessness and housing, and health.
Despite assumptions that bigger organisations have an advantage, the survey found no significant correlation between organisational size and success. This echoes conclusions from the 2018 Grants in Australia research by Our Community, which showed that success was not necessarily tied to budget size or the use of professional grantwriters.
“We’ve seen it consistently since the 2018 research — it’s not the biggest organisations that win the most grants, it’s the ones who treat grantseeking as a deliberate, ongoing strategy,” said Funding Centre manager Stef Ball.
Instead, those with consistent application practices, a strategic approach, and a strong understanding of funder priorities came out ahead.
Lack of time and sector gaps still holding groups back
A recurring challenge for many NFPs is the sheer workload of grantseeking. More than one-third of respondents (36%) cited time and resource constraints as major obstacles. Organisations reported struggling with overlapping deadlines and the complexity of application processes.
“The biggest barrier we’ve seen — then and now — is time. But that’s exactly why systems and strategy matter. If you’re doing it all from scratch each time, you’re burning hours and losing opportunities,” Ball said.
“As our organisation is entirely volunteer-run, finding the time to complete applications is a significant hurdle,” one respondent said.
Sector-specific disparities also emerged. While areas such as environmental sustainability have seen expanded funding opportunities, others continue to face limited options — making the need for a targeted approach even more critical.
“What’s changed since 2018 is the mindset. More groups now understand that grant success isn’t about luck — it’s about preparation, alignment, and persistence. And that mindset shift is making a difference,” Ball added.
Why strategy beats size when it comes to winning grants
Ball said the latest findings support a growing trend: successful grantseeking is about mindset and method — not just manpower or money.
“The survey underscores that persistence and strategic application efforts are key. It’s encouraging to see that smaller organisations can achieve high success rates without necessarily relying on professional grant writers,” she said.
She emphasised that professionalism doesn’t always mean employing professionals.
“You don’t need to hire a full-time grantwriter to be successful. What matters is approaching grants with a structured plan, clear alignment to funder goals, and a willingness to learn from what doesn’t work,” she said.
“The data keeps proving what experienced grantseekers already know: success isn’t random. It’s the result of smart targeting, well-crafted stories, and a relentless commitment to improving your pitch.”
Free session to help boost grant success
To help organisations turn insight into action, the Funding Centre is running a free online information session on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
“In our last session, we looked at how tools like AI can help streamline your funding applications — that’s the kind of innovation we want more organisations to take advantage of,” Ball said.
The session will offer practical guidance on effective grant planning and prioritisation, and using the right tools to manage multiple applications.Attendees will also have the chance to share experiences with peers.
Registration is open now via the Funding Centre website.