Sales & Revenue

Why your grant application was rejected: It's not your writing

Most owners blame their writing when a grant is rejected. Vanessa Burns explains what to fix before you apply.

Vanessa Burns, smiling, on a bright background. Black and red text: Why your grant application was rejected: It's not your writing. K4B logo.

Host: Bernie Franzgrote

Why was your grant application rejected? Vanessa Burns tells Canadian small business owners what to fix first. Listen to Knack 4 Business. Grant tips inside.

GROWTH CATEGORY: Sales & Revenue

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You find a grant that looks like a perfect fit. Then you open the form and can't answer half the questions. That's not a writing problem, and it's more common than you think. Vanessa Burns, a grant consultant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, says the fix starts well before you type a word.

Vanessa Burns is a Grant Professional Certified (GPC) who helps Canadian small businesses and grassroots groups get ready for grants before they apply. In this conversation, she explains why grants are really about business finance. Most applications stall because people skip the applicant guide, chase every grant they see, and apply before their business plan, financial statements, and CRA standing are in order. She also shows how to spot a bad grant and why most funders cover only about half the cost.

Watch the full conversation here:

ANSWER CAPSULE:

Many Canadian small business owners blame their writing when a grant application is rejected. Vanessa Burns, a Grant Professional Certified consultant in Halifax, says the real gap is grant readiness. Readers can expect a simple checklist: a business plan, financial statements, CRA good standing, and a clear reason for the money.

Who this is for

SMB owners, solopreneurs, and nonprofit leaders who want a clearer path to funding.

Key Lessons

1. Get grant ready before you look for grants.
Vanessa compares it to a toolbox. Inside are your business plan, financial statements, board list, CRA status letter if you have one, and a clear reason for the money. Say you want a hiring grant that pays half a wage. If you have no revenue, you can't pay the other half, so you aren't ready.

2. Read the applicant guide, and only apply where you fit.
Every grant has a guide that tells you what to say and what you can put in your budget. Vanessa says to apply where you check every box, because a seven-out-of-seven application beats five out of seven. She once turned down a seniors grant for a youth organization because it didn't match the mission.

3. Plan for half the money and a tax bill.
Most funders won't cover 100%, and many ask for matching money. Vanessa suggests asking for around 30 to 60% and naming your other sources. Grant income is taxable income for your business. She is not an accountant, so check with yours.

Practical Steps

Build your grant toolkit this week: business plan, financial statements, board list, and CRA status letter.
Pick one grant, read the whole applicant guide, and call the contact listed before you apply.
Start a simple grant tracker, and draft your answers in a Word or Google document before pasting them into the portal.

About the Guest

Vanessa Burns is the founder of Vanessa Burns Consulting and has worked with more than 140 clients since 2021. Connect: LinkedIn · Instagram · Facebook

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FAQ

Is grant money taxable income in Canada?
Vanessa says yes. She treats grant money as business income and claims it on her taxes. She is not an accountant, so confirm with yours.

How much of my project will a grant pay for?
Often about half. Many business grants ask for matching money, so plan where the rest will come from.

When is the best time of year to apply?
The federal fiscal year ends March 31, and many programs open in April. Fall is busy too. A simple tracker shows you the pattern.