Every grant writer knows the feeling: deadlines loom, your program narratives are tight, your outcomes are crystal clear—and yet, you’re still stuck trying to fund the electricity bill, staff salaries, and that squeaky office chair no one wants to admit they broke. Why? Because core operating support—the golden goose of grant funding—is maddeningly hard to secure.
It’s not that funders don’t know you need it. They do. They just don’t always want to give it. Many prefer to fund shiny, specific programs with catchy titles and easy metrics. But that makes things tough for nonprofits that, you know, need to run those programs with lights on, computers working, and skilled people doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Unrestricted funding is like oxygen for nonprofits. You can’t see it in a glitzy press release, but without it? Everything suffocates.
Here’s the catch: many funders who give core support tend to favor organizations that fit their values to a T—usually those prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), civil rights, or progressive social justice. If your mission doesn’t land squarely in their sweet spot, you’re left trying to win over funders who might be allergic to unrestricted giving.
So how do experienced grant writers beat the odds and snag this elusive treasure?
They hustle. They charm. They tell better stories.
Great storytellers don’t just rattle off stats—they paint a picture of why their organization matters. They make the case that core support isn’t overhead—it’s impact fuel. They explain how staff salaries, technology, training, and admin costs all connect directly to real, life-changing outcomes.
They also work the relationship game like pros. Grant writers who win unrestricted funds are rarely just cold-emailing applications into the void. They’re emailing, calling, meeting for coffee, looping funders into events, and sending handwritten thank-you notes. They keep the conversation going, even when there’s no open application in sight. Because when funders feel like part of the mission, they’re more likely to open their checkbooks with fewer strings attached.
And let’s talk data. Numbers may not tug heartstrings, but they do open wallets—especially when they back up a killer narrative. Skilled grant writers include metrics that show organizational efficiency, lean operations, and smart strategy. They don’t just say, “Trust us.” They prove it with dashboards, financials, and long-term outcomes.
Bottom line? Securing core operating support isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes tenacity, creativity, and a whole lot of strategic thinking. But for nonprofits that master the art, the reward is a healthier, more stable organization—one that’s free to dream bigger, act faster, and serve better.
So the next time you’re tempted to skip the story and just “stick to the facts,” remember this: unrestricted funds go to those who inspire first—and justify with data second.
Are you telling the kind of story funders can’t ignore?