There are plenty of reasons why your nonprofit might be struggling to land grants or secure large-scale donations. But there’s one reason that often flies under the radar, ‘you might be asking for far too little.’

Nonprofits are often used to stretching every dollar, running lean, and making do with what’s available. But here’s the twist: donors aren’t always looking to fund frugality. Sometimes, they want to give generously so that something can be done without cutting corners.

If it looks like you’re underasking, or, if there’s any doubt that you’ll have enough to finish the project or deliver real impact, that’s a red flag for funders. Lack of belief in your budget often leads to lack of belief in your mission.

In the world of foundations and government grants, funders frequently measure success by the scale of impact. The more ambitious, and well-resourced, your project is, the more likely it is to get noticed. Long term funders know that meaningful change doesn’t come cheap.

If your proposal doesn’t meet that threshold, it might not even make it to their shortlist.

So, what can you do?

Do your homework. Get to know the giving habits of the people or institutions you’re approaching. If you’re renovating a sports field, for example, research what your province or state funded last year. If you find they didn’t award anything under $100,000, then asking for $25,000 could be an instant disqualifier, no matter how well-written your proposal is.

The same goes for individual donors. If someone is known for making legacy-level contributions, don’t come at them with a small project. Frame your ask at the level they’re used to giving. Think big, prepare accordingly, and match your vision to their giving history.