🎉 You Won the Grant! Now What?

Posted by Regal Grant Consulting | Helping Change-Makers Secure the Bag + Stay Funded.

There’s nothing like the rush of seeing that “Congratulations!” email hit your inbox.

All those late nights. The vision casting. The data hunting. The budget revising.And now? You did it. You won the grant.

But hold up…Before you pop the bubbly and exhale too hard, let’s talk about what comes next. Because here’s the truth: winning the grant isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

This is where the real work starts—and where too many people drop the ball. But not you.

Not on our watch.

Let’s walk through what you need to do after you’ve secured that funding so you can not only keep it—but grow from it.

📄 1. Read the Fine Print (Yes, All of It)

First things first: dig into that award letter like it's your favorite mystery novel.

Inside, you’ll find all the juicy details about:

• How the money can (and can’t) be spent

• Important deadlines (like reports, renewals, or progress check-ins)

• Who you need to keep in contact with

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💡 Hot Tip: Put all your due dates in a calendar—Google, paper, wall-sized vision board, whatever works. Just make sure they’re visible and shared with your team.

🧾 2. Get Your Financial House in Order

Grant money is not a blank check. You’ll need to track every single dollar like a hawk.

• Set up a separate account or ledger just for the grant.

• Keep a running list of approved expenses.

• Save your receipts, invoices, payroll records—yes, even that $17 supply run.

💡 Pro Move: Use a cloud-based tool like QuickBooks, and start a folder right now for each month’s expenses and documentation. Future-you will send you a fruit basket for this.

💬 3. Say Thanks & Keep in Touch

Don’t ghost your funder. They just invested in you—they deserve some love!

• Send a warm thank-you email (bonus points for a handwritten card).

• Introduce yourself and your team.

• Ask if there are any onboarding resources or points of contact.

💡 Funders are humans too. Building a real relationship increases your chances of future support and referrals. Treat them like VIPs (because they are).

📊 4. Do the Work & Document Everything

Whatever you promised in that proposal? It’s go time.

• Track your progress: outcomes, deliverables, stories, and stats.

• Save photos, testimonials, surveys—real results, not just spreadsheets.

• Keep your funder in the loop with mini updates or wins.

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💡 Reporting is not a surprise quiz if you stay organized. Start a “reporting” folder now and drop things in as they happen.

📣 5. Use the Win to Build Momentum

A grant award is more than money. It’s proof that someone believes in your vision. Use that energy!

• Add the funder’s logo or a quote to your website (with permission of course).

• Share your success on socials.

• Apply for more grants while your credibility is hot.

💡 People fund winners. Use this grant as leverage to secure your next one.

👑 Final Word from RGC

You worked hard to secure that grant—don’t let the ball drop now. The post-award phase is where reputations are made (or broken). Be the grantee that funders remember for all the right reasons.

Need help managing the compliance, reporting, or prep for the next big opportunity?That’s what we’re here for.

📩 Contact Regal Grant Consulting and let’s keep the wins rolling. www.RegalGrantConsulting.com

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