How to Follow Up After Sending a Grant Application

After submitting a grant, the best follow-up usually begins with understanding the funder’s timeline. Good communication is timely, relevant, and respectful of the process the donor has already explained.

Confirm the submission

Make sure the application was received, especially if the portal did not provide a clear confirmation. Save the submitted materials and any confirmation number or email.

Record the decision timeline

Note when the funder expects to review applications and announce decisions. Do not send repeated status requests before the stated review period has passed.

Send updates only when useful

A major program milestone, new partnership, significant award, or material organizational change may be worth sharing if it strengthens or changes the application. Keep the update brief.

Follow up after the expected date

If the decision window passes without an update, send a short, courteous message asking whether the timeline has changed and whether anything else is needed.

Document the result

Whether the answer is yes or no, update your database with the decision, amount, feedback, next eligible date, and follow-up plan.

Build the next step

Use this as a working tool for your organization. Turn the ideas into one or two specific actions, assign ownership, and put a date on the next step. Good From Here is built to help nonprofit founders move from an idea to a stronger, fundable organization with practical systems they can actually use.