The Myth of Magic Money

Funding is Won, Not Wished For "Too many great ideas die in silence — not because they lacked passion, but because they lacked a winning funding strategy. Today, we’re talking about why funding isn’t about luck — it’s about preparation, precision, and persistence." Lets start with a common myth; The myth of the ‘lucky’ grant. There is a common assumption that just “land” if you have a good idea. Contrary to popular belief, the truth is that funders invest in clarity, feasibility, and impact. A few years ago I was contracted by CARE International, a major International NGO to put together a proposal for a massive education project in the Horn of Africa. The budget was significant, a whopping 7.7 million Euros. The proposal was successful, and received funding from the European Union. That’s not the end of the story however. The important bit is how. I will share these details on my 1 on 1 sessions with you as part of our course offerings. However, the key lesson here for now is what it took to win the grant. Out simply, the grant was won through meticulous alignment with funder priorities, evidence-backed needs assessment, and very compelling storytelling. I can say without a doubt, based on this example, that the 3 winning principles are: 1. Know the Funder — when you are preparing to apply for a grant, your values and priorities must match with the funders’ values and priorities. 2. Prove the Impact — A winning proposal MUST display evidence and measurable outcomes. 3. Show You Can Deliver — As a grantseeker, the funder will need to see your credibility, partnerships and track record. So, in this course we will aim form a mindset shift: from hoping to be picked → to proving you’re the best choice. In conclusion "Winning funding is not a one-time magic trick — it’s a discipline. The good news? It’s a discipline you can learn. That’s why Write to Win exists — to make sure your idea doesn’t just stay a dream but gets the backing it deserves."