A little behind-the-scenes moment for you: Nancy, a grant writer and participant, and I were talking in RaiseMasters about her client who wanted to launch a brand-new program. You know how that goes — the big idea is exciting, but then the real question hits: How do we make this fundable?
Here’s where the insider wisdom comes in.
When you’re creating something new, funders don’t want wild experimentation with no proof of concept. What gets their attention is when you build on what already works.
The Untold Truth About Funders
Funders love fresh ideas — but fresh doesn’t mean random. It means thoughtful. It means taking strategies that have been proven and weaving them into a new, bigger picture.
That’s exactly what Nancy and I unpacked: instead of selling a “brand-new, never-been-done-before” program (which sounds risky to funders), why not frame it as a smart combination of existing, fundable elements?
That way, the client gets to innovate, but funders see something anchored in credibility.
Why This Lens Matters
From a grant funding perspective, here’s what combining elements into a new program does:
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It feels safer. Funders see evidence from the parts that already work.
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It feels strategic. You’re not reinventing the wheel; you’re improving the ride.
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It feels fundable. Instead of “here’s an untested dream,” you’re saying “here’s how we can multiply proven impact.”
Think of it like building a new house. You don’t hand the contractor a pile of mystery materials. You say, “We’ll use this sturdy foundation, these solid walls, and add a fresh new roofline.” Funders want to invest in the same kind of confidence.
How to Frame It for Funding
Here’s your “masters of fundraising” checklist when shaping a new program idea:
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Start with proven pieces. What elements are already working somewhere else?
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Highlight the innovation. What’s new about the way you’re combining or adapting them?
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Show funders the safety net. Make it clear this isn’t a shot in the dark — it’s built on what’s already producing results.
Your Inner-Circle Takeaway
Here’s the wisdom most people don’t tell you:
Innovation in fundraising isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being fundable.
When you build new programs out of proven parts, you give funders the confidence to say “yes” without feeling like they’re taking on all the risk.
And that’s how you move from “another hopeful idea” to “this is something we can actually fund.”
