There's a big difference between writing grant applications and writing grants that win – and it starts long before you put a single word on the page. In this episode, we're joined by Daniella Sorrentino, grant writer at The Fundraising Lab, who demystifies the grant writing process from start to finish. Whether you're brand new to grants or have been writing them for years, Daniella shares what organizations need to have in place before any writing starts, the most common mistakes that derail applications, and why losing a grant is always an opportunity to learn and improve. We cover: The top three things your organization needs before submitting any grant application Why grant writing is a collaborative translation process between your organization and funders How to handle grant declines and why asking "why" is the first step to winning next time The truth about storytelling versus data in grant applications – and why they're actually equally important How to prioritize which grants to pursue and recognize when a funder just isn't the right match for your organization If you're navigating the grant writing process, feeling overwhelmed by applications, or trying to improve your success rate, this episode offers practical insights on building strong grant programs that are strategic, collaborative, and based on real organizational clarity. Resources and links: Check out Daniella Sorrentino and host Cathy Mann on LinkedIn Book your Fundraising Growth Game Plan call Email us at [email protected] Subscribe to our email list Share this episode with a friend! Podcast editing and post-production by: Daniella Sorrentino at Feral Culture Lab (feralculturelab.com) Music: Intro and Outro Music is Fancy Free by Reveille https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/16267