FAQ's
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What types of organizations do you work with?
We specialize in working with:
- GOVERMENT ORGANIZATIONS
- AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORGANIZATION
- HIGHER EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS
- K-12 ORGANIZATIONS
- FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
- COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
Our ideal clients are those with a clear mission and the internal capacity to execute the projects they are seeking funding for.
What types of grants do you handle?
Our expertise covers Federal, State, and Private Foundation grants. Whether you are looking for capital project funding, program expansion, or operating support, we can help identify the right fit.
Can I pay you a percentage of the grant award instead of an hourly fee?
No. Professional ethics standards set by the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) strictly prohibit grant writers from working on commission or for a percentage of the award. Reputable consultants operate on fee-for-service models (hourly or flat-fee) to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure the highest quality of technical work.
Do you guarantee that my organization will receive a grant?
No. Grant availability is strictly subject to the current funding landscape and shifting grantor priorities. Apex Strategic Advisors cannot guarantee that grants meeting your specific criteria will be open or available at the time of research. Furthermore, while we work to identify the best opportunities for your organization, the identification of an opportunity does not guarantee an award. There are many factors that go into a grant award that are outside of a consultant's control, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
What do you need from my team during the process?
Think of us as partners. We will need access to your past financial statements, project budgets, and key staff for interviews. You provide the vision and data; we provide the strategy and writing.
Can you help us find grants, or do we need to bring them to you?
We offer both! We provide "Grant Prospect Research" to build a funding opprutunities list for you, but we are also happy to jump in on a specific opportunity you’ve already identified.
What happens after we win the grant?
Winning is just the beginning! We offer "Grant Management" services to help you stay compliant with reporting requirements, ensuring you maintain a great relationship with the funder for future renewals.
What if our grant is denied?
If a grant is declined, we request a "debrief" with the funder whenever possible. We analyze their feedback, adjust the strategy, and determine the best timing for a resubmission.
How much do your services cost?
Our standard consulting rate is $125 per hour. To help our clients manage their budgets effectively, we offer the following structures:
Budget-Capped Projects: For specific grant applications, we can provide a capped number of hours or a total budget "not-to-exceed" upon client request. This ensures you have total budget certainty before we begin, and you will never be invoiced for more than the agreed-upon limit without prior authorization.
Monthly Retainer Blocks (Discounted): For organizations looking for ongoing support, we offer recurring monthly blocks of hours at a discounted hourly rate. This model allows us to build deep institutional knowledge of your mission, making our collaboration more efficient and proactive over time.
Note: In accordance with professional ethical standards, we do not work on a commission or contingency basis
Do we need to have a 501(c)(3) to work with you?
Most foundations and government agencies require 501(c)(3) status. However, we also work with organizations using a fiscal sponsor or those in the process of applying for their status, provided they have a clear project plan.
Can you help us if we’ve never won a grant before?
Absolutely. For "new" organizations, we focus on smaller local family foundations or "seed grants" to build your funding history. We specialize in crafting narratives that highlight your impact and staff expertise even if your organization is young.
What is "Grant Readiness"?
Being grant-ready means having the necessary infrastructure in place to be competitive. This includes having a 501(c)(3) status, a recent financial audit or review, a Board-approved budget, and clear program metrics. If you aren't quite there yet, we offer a Readiness Assessment to help you build that foundation.
Federal Grants
When should we start?
Because of the workload, we recommend starting at least 60 days before a deadline. Most agencies provide a 60-90 day window, and using that full time is critical for success.
How long does it take to apply for a Federal Grant?
Many clients are surprised to learn that a standard federal grant application typically requires 80 to 125+ hours of professional time to execute. It is not just writing; it is a complex project management challenge.
Here is the breakdown of that time investment:
Discovery & Strategy (15–20 Hrs): Analyzing comprehensive guidelines, facilitating strategy sessions, and designing the program logic model.
Narrative Drafting (40–60 Hrs): Writing extensive technical content, including the Project Narrative and Evaluation Plan.
Financial Strategy (10–20 Hrs): Creating detailed line-item budgets and compliant budget narratives.
Compliance & Attachments (10–15 Hrs): Gathering MOUs, letters of support, and mandatory federal forms.
Submission (5–10 Hrs): Final compliance review and technical upload via Grants.gov.
Total Estimated Investment: 80 – 125 Hours
How long until we get the Federal Grant money?
Federal grants are a long game. After submission, agencies typically take 3 to 6 months to review applications and issue awards.
Can we do it in less time?
Rushed applications rarely win. If you have less than 3 weeks before a deadline, we generally advise waiting for the next cycle to ensure your investment yields a competitive product.
What is the most important thing we need before we apply?
You must have an active registration in SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). While basic registration can take 10 -14 business days, the validation process can often take up to 4 weeks if there are data mismatches. We recommend ensuring your registrations are active at least 90 days before your target deadline.
Do you guarantee that my organization will receive a grant?
No. Grant availability is strictly subject to the current funding landscape and shifting grantor priorities. Apex Strategic Advisors cannot guarantee that grants meeting your specific criteria will be open or available at the time of research. Furthermore, while we work to identify the best opportunities for your organization, the identification of an opportunity does not guarantee an award. There are many factors that go into a grant award that are outside of a consultant's control, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
What is the "average" success rate for grant applications?
National success rates for competitive federal grants are traditionally low, with only a small fraction of all applicants receiving awards each year. It is critical to understand that Apex Strategic Advisors provides no guarantee of funding.
Grant outcomes are strictly determined by external factors entirely outside of a consultant’s control, such as shifting federal budget priorities, legislative changes, and intense market competition. At Apex Strategic Advisors, we utilize a "readiness-first" approach to target opportunities where your organization is best positioned for success, but identification of an opportunity does not guarantee an award, and past performance is never a guarantee of future results.
