How Can We Win More General Operating Grants?
the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow really exists: Your guide to Winning general operating grants
Three key things that can help you win more general operating grants
Every nonprofit wants more general operating support—it’s the most flexible, most powerful kind of funding.
But how do you actually win those grants? Here’s what we know works:
Focus less on chasing dollars, and more on building understanding, credibility, and connection. Funders back organizations they believe in. Make it easy for them to believe in you.
We are proud to share our list of three key things that can make your organization stand out to potential general operating grant funders:
Tighten up Your Message
Funders are more likely to invest in your work when they can quickly understand what you do and why it matters.
A clear, compelling message—free of jargon—helps funders connect emotionally and intellectually to your mission.
Don’t just list programs; tell a story about the change you're driving.
And when it comes to winning general operating grants, the key is ensuring your funders understand your organization as a whole, and your strength as a leader — from the problem you’re solving, to the strength of your solution, and your ability to make a meaningful, sustained impact.
2. Show your impact
Showing impact is key because it gives funders confidence that their unrestricted dollars will be used effectively—not just to sustain your operations, but to drive meaningful change.
When you can demonstrate that your organization consistently delivers results, funders are more likely to trust you with flexible support.
Even if the funding a grantmakaer gives your organization isn’t for a specific project, funders still need to know their dollars will make a difference.
That means being able to point to real, measurable outcomes—or meaningful stories—that show how your work improves lives or moves the needle on an issue.
Make it easy for funders to see the results of your efforts. Without it, you don’t have a chance.
3. Build Trust, Before the Grant
General operating support is often a signal that a funder trusts your leadership, your judgment, and your ability to allocate resources wisely.
Building that trust takes time: thoughtful outreach, transparent communication, consistent impact, and follow-through all matter.
Strong relationships — grounded in honesty and shared values — are absolutely crucial to this kind of support, and can lead to more flexible support down the line.
Funders need to believe in your leadership, your decision-making, and your ability to stay mission-focused without heavy restrictions. When that trust is strong, funders are more willing to give you the flexibility to respond to what your organization truly needs.
How do I find more general operating grants for my organization?
Grant seeking is an excellent place to supplement your team's efforts with expert help. Whether you’ve never written a proposal, you’re stretched too thin, or you feel like you are constantly reinventing the wheel with every application, Capacita is here to make grants an effective, systematic process rather than a last-minute scramble.
Seeking and winning grants takes a detail-oriented approach, time, and skillfully deployed resources. As a company with strong project management principles and expertise on both sides of the funding table, our team is here to walk you through our proven methodologies and systems for seeking and securing grants.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation and we'll tell you all about how we can help.