How to make your grantmaking process more equitable, and how technology can help 

Nonprofit organizations need the support of grantmakers in order to fulfill their mission and grow their impact. However, some nonprofits face barriers to funding, like lengthy application processes, complex reporting requirements, and rigid restrictions. Programming is also often developed without much input from the nonprofit community, meaning it may not serve their primary needs. This structure not only impacts nonprofits; it also leads to capacity constraints for funders who are spending hours reviewing applications.  

To overcome some of these challenges, it’s important for funders to not only prioritize providing equitable opportunitiesand support beyond the check, but also foster strong partnerships with the nonprofits they’re supporting.  In this blog, we’ll explore how you can evaluate your grantmaking process to provide more inclusive funding and capacity building opportunities and shift from being just a funder to being a true nonprofit partner.

Do your research before making any changes 

In order to address nonprofits’ needs, you first need to know what they are. Across the board, data reveals that nonprofits face some similar obstacles: 

• 41% of NPOs lack the necessary readiness to manage every phase of the grant process, while insecurity around federal grants puts more pressure on nonprofits to diversify funding. 
•  According to the 2025 National State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey from the Nonprofit Finance Fund, 36% of respondents ended 2024 with an operating deficit, 86% said they feel the impact of high costs and inflation, and 52% have three months or less of cash on hand.  
• The 2025 Bonterra Impact report says 63% of nonprofits give up after one rejection. But on average, it takes 1.24 applications to receive funding. 
• 23% of nonprofits consider a “lack of adequate finances/resources” to be their greatest challenge. 

Aside from the widespread lack of resources facing many nonprofit organizations, one study from Bridgespan Group showed that white-led organizations are much more likely to have access to advanced fundraising technology than their BIPOC-led counterparts. And according to A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities (ABFE) majority Black-led nonprofits receive 300% less revenue than their white-led counterparts. This type of research allows you to identify the barriers preventing organizations from accessing the resources they need. From there, you can adjust your grantmaking process to focus on offering more equitable support. 

Plan equitable funding opportunities 

It’s clear that nonprofits need infrastructure support and equitable funding opportunities, but how can grantmakers help? Consider the following adjustments you can make to your funding tactics to help nonprofits access equitable giving: 

1. Partner with your community to co-create programs. Engage with local organizations to learn more about their causes and specific needs. Then, you can work together to develop an equitable giving process that helps them better fulfill their mission. 
2. Reduce application requirements. Evaluate your application process to identify ways to simplify it. By eliminating unnecessary questions and requirements, you can make funding more accessible to nonprofits that otherwise would not be able to apply due to limited staff support or technical infrastructure. Make your grants available to nonprofits of all sizes and budgets for easier entry. 
3. Offer several options to nonprofits. A variety of grant and capacity-building options can help nonprofits more directly address the challenges facing their communities. Provide multiple opportunities, including professional development and cohort-based programs. 
4. Create an environment that values feedback. By collecting and acting on direct input from nonprofit organizations, you can most effectively support them. Encourage feedback to narrow down nonprofit needs and build trust within your community, so organizations feel comfortable connecting with your organization. 
5. Be proactive in reaching out. Through your research, you’ll identify nonprofits that could potentially be a good fit for your programs. Contact them and encourage them to apply, even if they haven’t initiated contact. They may not be aware of the programming you offer and reaching out can help build community awareness of your resources. 

Furthermore, regularly assess your grantmaking process for access and inclusivity. Use these factors as measures of success for your grant program. 

Strengthen your equitable grantmaking efforts with Bonterra’s solutions 

Cut manual work like application reviews, discover aligned nonprofits, and bring fairness and transparency to every grant decision with the help of AI. Bonterra Grantmaker helps small to mid-sized foundations save time and create greater impact.  

Provide your nonprofit community with holistic, measurable capacity building opportunities with Bonterra’s Jumpstart program. Equip organizations with the technology, personalized coaching, and group-based learning to diversify their revenue and fundraise more effectively. Ready to take the next step to better support your nonprofit partners?  

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Bonterra Editorial Team

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