What are the Actual Odds of Getting a Grant?
Grants are often seen as a golden opportunity – “free money” for individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits (with the average grant size varying greatly depending on the type of organization and the source of funding). But while the appeal is clear, the actual odds of securing a grant can be far less so. If you’re thinking about applying for a grant, you’re already on the right track! Understanding how opportunities vary by grant type and applicant profile can give you a powerful edge in the process. GrantWatch has some important information to relay on the topic. Read on to find out more.
What Percentage of Grant Applications Get Funded?
Success rates for winning grants can vary dramatically depending on the funding source, the type of applicant, and the competitiveness of the specific program. Here’s a breakdown of average success rates across key categories based on recent data from the United States:
| Funder Type | Small Businesses | Nonprofits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government | 25%–50% | approx. 52% | Higher odds due to fewer applicants and local focus |
| State Government | 25%–50% | approx. 52% | Moderate competition, often sector-specific |
| Federal Government | 5%–20% | approx. 25% | High competition, larger awards |
| Foundation Grants | 15%–30% | approx. 30% | Values funding projects that match their mission and values. |
| Corporation Grants | 15%–30% | approx. 22% | Often tied to the corporations goals or branding strategies |
How Likely Are You to Win a Grant?
On average, grant approval rates vary depending on the funder type and applicant:
For many federal government grants, which are highly competitive, small businesses get approved about 10% to 20% of the time. That means roughly 1 out of every 10 to 5 applications is successful. Nonprofits usually have a bit better chance here, with about 25% of applications approved – or 1 in 4.
Grants from local and state governments often have higher approval rates. Nonprofits sometimes get funded nearly half the time, or 1 in 2 applications. Small businesses usually see success rates between 25% and 50%, which means 1 in 4 to 1 in 2 applications get approved.
Foundations typically fund between 15% and 30% of applicants. This means about 1 in 7 to 1 in 3 grant proposals from both nonprofits and small businesses are successful. Even with these differences, competition for grants is still strong across all types of funders.
Common Reasons Grant Proposals Are Rejected:
- The proposal does not align with the funder’s priorities or mission.
- The applicant fails to follow the application guidelines and instructions.
- The funder has limited resources and other funding priorities at the time.
Addressing these issues can greatly improve your chances. Target grants that fit your size, mission, and experience. Smaller or newer organizations often find better success with smaller foundations or local grants.
Tips to Improve Your Grant Success:
Submitting more applications generally increases the odds that at least one will be successful. While exact percentages depend on your network and preparation, data from nonprofit surveys show:
- Applying to 1 grant yields moderate chances.
- Applying to 3-5 grants improves your chances significantly.
- Applying to more than 5 grants increases odds further, but quality matters as much as quantity.
Grant Approval Rates: What to Expect
While the average success rate across all grant applications may seem low, applicants who do their homework, tailor their proposals, and align closely with funders’ priorities dramatically increase their odds. Learn from unsuccessful applications. And most importantly – keep going! The odds might be long, but with the right strategy, your next application could be the one that hits.
Increase Your Success Rate of Winning a Grant
Grants aren’t just for huge nonprofits or tech startups. There are thousands of grants out there – for individuals, grassroots organizations, mom-and-pop shops, and community dreamers. And, with the right tools, you don’t have to do it alone.
While the odds of getting any one grant can vary, having access to up-to-date and targeted grant listings can make a significant difference. Knowing where to look and staying informed about available opportunities can increase your chances of success.
Whether you’re just starting your search or you’ve applied before, GrantWatch.com makes it easy to discover active, well-matched grants for your needs.
About GrantWatch
With over 9,200 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. Watch the latest episode of the weekly GrantTalk podcast by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind to learn more about grant writing!