Repair 23: Why Grant Writing Is Not a Long-Term Career Strategy
Using grants without burning out
The Problem
Grants keep the lights on.
They fund projects.
They feel like progress.
But over time, your work starts to revolve around deadlines, applications, reporting, and renewal cycles. The work never stabilizes. The stress never lifts.
Grants become the strategy instead of a tool.
Why This Keeps Happening
Grant dependence builds when:
Core work is funded piecemeal
Success is measured by dollars raised, not stability
Staff time is absorbed by compliance and reporting
Funding gaps are filled with “just one more grant”
No one pauses to ask what grants are actually for
Grants are designed for projects, not permanence.
The Fix
The goal is not to stop using grants. The goal is to put grants back in their proper role.
Here is how to fix it.
Step 1: Separate Core Work From Project Work
Write two lists:
Core work
Coordination
Communication
Relationship management
Ongoing support
Project work
Pilots
Events
Studies
Capital improvements
Core work needs stable funding. Projects can flex.
Step 2: Track the True Cost of Grant Dependence
Grants cost more than they appear.
Account for:
Staff time to apply
Reporting and compliance
Restricted use of funds
Timing gaps between awards
Free money is not free if it drains capacity.
Step 3: Use Grants to Prove Value, Not Replace It
Grants work best when they:
Test new ideas
Demonstrate impact
Build a case for ongoing support
If a grant-funded project succeeds, it should inform future stable funding, not repeat the scramble.
Step 4: Protect Your Time and Role
Grant chasing can quietly redefine your job.
Set limits:
How many grants you pursue at once
Which grants align with your role
Which grants you say no to
Your career should not be built on short-term cycles alone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Treating grants as operational funding
Saying yes to every opportunity
Ignoring the personal cost of constant applications
Confusing activity with sustainability
Grants should support the work, not consume it.
What to Do This Week
Use this checklist to reset:
⬜ List all current grants and reporting requirements
⬜ Identify which fund core work and which do not
⬜ Calculate staff time spent on grants
⬜ Decide which grants no longer make sense
⬜ Name one step toward more stable funding
Awareness is the first step toward balance.
How We Help
This challenge is often addressed through Organizational Capacity Building with Reader Area Development, Inc., helping organizations align funding with how the work actually happens instead of living cycle to cycle.
Keep Going
This post is part of The Downtown Repair Manual, a field guide to fixing common downtown problems one issue at a time.
Grants should support momentum, not replace stability.