If you are getting ready to apply for a grant, it is important for you to put your application in the best position possible to be successful. Unfortunately, there are a lot of grant applications that are turned down before they are even fully considered. People spend a tremendous amount of time and energy filling out a grant application with the hope of getting the funding they need. Therefore, it is important to listen to a professional, such as Danita Doleman, and think about some of the most common pitfalls small business grants encounter.

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Not Reading the Solicitation Thoroughly
One of the most common reasons why applications are turned away is that people do not read the solicitation thoroughly. You need to take a close look at the document to make sure you fully understand what you are applying for. According to Danita Doleman, a lot of people apply for grants that might not necessarily be focused on their specific field. For example, if you are trying to open a small pharmacy, but you apply for a small business grant that focuses more on medical equipment, the application might not necessarily be for you. Always read the solicitation thoroughly.
Not Answering the Question That Was Asked
According to Danita Doleman, another common mistake people make is not answering the question that has been asked. You are passionate about what you do, and it is easy to get carried away. As you give your answer, make sure you focus on the question that was asked. You do not want to write several paragraphs about a tangent and end up not answering the question at all. This could result in your application being turned away before it is fully considered. Always make sure you are answering the question that has been asked.
Providing an Incomplete Budget and Narrative
Finally, another reason why applications are turned away is that the applicant provides an incomplete budget and narrative. According to Danita Doleman, if you do not clearly explain how you plan to use the money, you are probably not going to be given the grant. The organization wants to make sure that their money is being put to good use, so you need to give a detailed breakdown of how you plan to use the money. You need to clearly explain why your goal is important, so make sure you provide a comprehensive narrative for their consideration.
Avoid These Common Small Business Grant Pitfalls
Ultimately, these are a few of the most common mistakes that people make when applying for a small business grant. Even though avoiding these mistakes does not necessarily mean the grant will be approved, it will mean that your application should be fully considered. If you put in the time and effort to fill out a strong small business grant, particularly by following the advice from Danita Doleman, you should put your application in the best position possible to be successful.