The Readiness Catch 22

You need grant funding to build capacity — but you need capacity to actually steward the grant once you have it. A real question from a live Instrumentl webinar audience, and a real way through the loop. In this episode: why grants should be icing on the cake, not the whole fundraising plan; why organizational readiness — strong systems, leadership, accountability — has to come before you chase funding, not after; and how to bridge the gap in the meantime with general operating support, capacity-building grants, individual giving, and partnerships. Plus: the proof substitutes newer or under-resourced programs can lean on when they don't yet have the track record funders look for — pilot data, informal partner feedback, small early wins, letters of support.