The World of Grant-Writing: Exploring Fundraising Strategies for Non-Profits

In partnership with SustainEd Farms (SEF), my project sought to determine optimal grant-writing strategies for non-profits in light of current socio-economic conditions in the U.S., characterized by limited public funding and compounded community need. Many non-profits have had to change their approaches to securing funding as a result of recent shifts in policy, and my work explored how these organizations have been able to adjust, and what types of grant-writing strategies have proved successful for securing reliable funding in our current landscape.

My approach consisted of gaining knowledge about optimal grant-writing strategies through my internship experience and supplementing this information with scholarly research. I synthesized the knowledge I acquired in executing grant applications with research on grant-writing strategies considered ‘best practice’, then gauged the effectiveness of certain strategies over others by applying them in my work. Outputs of my project consisted of literary material for grant applications (ie. summaries of the organization and Letters of Request), as well as community outreach materials seeking to demonstrate SEF’s impact.

Among other findings, my project determined that shifting focus to private grant opportunities and building inter-organizational trust outside of the grant application process itself are effective strategies for addressing the fundraising challenges faced by non-profits today. By taking these into consideration, I was able to more effectively seek out and apply for grants and contribute to SEF’s developmental mission. Despite the fact that there are many cited “best practices” out there for grant-writing, it is important to note that grant-seeking strategies are not one-size-fits-all for any individual or organization; what works for some may not work for others. In the case of SEF, focusing on private grants and seeking out funding opportunities that can lead to meaningful relationships has proved effective. The synthesis of first-hand experience and scholarly research provided for comprehensive findings and, from conducting research, I found that there is an abundance of literature on optimal strategies for grant-writing which can help those seeking to fund their communities and organizations.

In addition to research, my project’s goal was also to advance SEF’s mission of “Growing Food. Growing Knowledge. Growing Justice.” by contributing to the financial needs of the organization. By aiding its fundraising efforts as a part of the developmental team, I was able to help in the facilitation of SEF’s school gardening programs which educate students on topics of sustainability, nutrition, and food justice. As of last year, SEF was able to reach 10,183 students at 47 different schools in Denver. Furthermore, its programming aims to redirect all viable produce from its gardens back to Denver; SEF successfully provided 4,764 pounds of food to food-insecure communities in Denver in 2025.