Grants Are a Team Sport: Why Your Development Staff Shouldn’t Go It Alone

“No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”

— Alfred North Whitehead

Let’s be honest: grants don’t write themselves—and they definitely don’t win themselves either.

As we near the end of 2025, we’re taking a moment not only to reflect on what it takes to win at grants—but also to thank the many passionate program staff, fearless fundraisers, inspired funders, and brilliant collaborators who’ve joined us on the journey this year. You are the reason these wins were possible. 💛

This month, we're spotlighting one of the biggest myths in the sector: that grant writing is a solo sport. It’s not. It’s a team-based, strategy-fueled, visibility-driven enterprise. And when nonprofits treat it that way? The ROI speaks for itself.

Let’s explore how—and who—to get in the game with you.

The Myth of the Lone Grant Writer 🏕️

You’ve probably seen it before. One overwhelmed development director, juggling events, donor reports, and grant deadlines with a heroic sense of urgency. It’s common—but it’s also unsustainable.

A Stanford Social Innovation Review article emphasizes the need for nonprofits to build capacity across the organization—not just in one heroic staffer—to succeed long term.

And yet, too many nonprofits treat grant writing like a back-office task rather than the deeply strategic, cross-functional process it is. From gathering data to aligning programs with funder goals, winning grants requires input from across your organization—and often, outside expertise too.

Everyone Has a Role to Play 🛠️

Winning grants isn’t about dumping a task on someone’s desk—it’s about building a grant-ready team. Here's what that can look like:

• Development staff focus on aligning proposals with broader fundraising efforts and coordinating timelines.

• Program staff provide the content, outcomes, and success stories that funders crave.

• Finance staff help ensure budgets are realistic, aligned, and auditable.

• Executive leadership secures buy-in, drives vision, and builds funder relationships.

• External consultants (like Carinci Consulting!) bring strategic alignment, high-quality writing, and nuanced insight into funder priorities.

When these roles are clearly defined and collaboratively activated, the process becomes efficient, not chaotic.

Transparency Builds Trust with Funders 🔍

Modern funders are no longer satisfied with boilerplate narratives. They’re increasingly seeking authenticity, collaboration, and evidence of organizational alignment.

In fact, the Council on Foundations highlights that funders reward organizations who demonstrate strategic integration across departments—not just isolated grant wins.

That means your best proposal isn’t written in a vacuum—it’s co-created with the people who live and breathe the mission every day. Don’t forget that these are the people who will need to carry out the grant should the proposal be successful, so ensuring their insights are included increases buy-in, feasibility, and impact potential.

Gratitude for the Real MVPs 🤝

This time of year, we’re especially grateful for the many nonprofit pros who show up, collaborate, and make funding magic happen:

• To the executive directors who championed a vision and brought their teams along for the ride...

• To the program managers who supplied data, stories, and real-time results...

• To the funders who took a chance on bold ideas and transparent partnerships...

• To the consulting collaborators and peers who shared tools, insights, and coffee-fueled strategy sessions…

We see you. And we thank you.

The ROI of Going Together (Not It Alone) 🚀

Still skeptical that a more collaborative grant approach makes a difference?

🎯 According to research by Giving USA, organizations that invest in strategic fundraising infrastructure—including grants—see significantly greater fundraising growth over time.

💼 And nonprofits who engage consulting partnerships for grant strategy and implementation report stronger win rates, higher alignment with funder priorities, and better internal capacity for future submissions (Grant Professionals Association).

Parting Thought 🥂

Grants may not technically require a full squad… but the most successful and impactful ones are always a team effort.

So this November, let’s raise a metaphorical glass to the collaborators, champions, and catalysts who make big impact possible—together.

📣 Ready to Build Your Grant Dream Team? 🏆

Here’s your November nudge: if your development team is feeling isolated, overloaded, or stuck—don’t just add more work. Add a strategy.

Carinci Consulting can partner with your internal staff to:

✅ Develop a grant strategy that aligns with your mission and upcoming opportunities
✅ Build a sustainable system for collaboration across departments
✅ Write high-quality proposals that stand out—and actually win

Ready to add to the line-up for a stronger game plan without the burnout?

📅 Book a free strategy call: https://www.carinciconsulting.com/schedule.

Have questions? 📨 Email us at hello@carinciconsulting.com.