What Creators Unfortunately Get Wrong About Grants
The creative boost you’ve been overlooking...
Grants are one of the most misunderstood—and underused—income streams for creators.
We’ve been trained to think about brand deals, digital products, affiliate links, and courses. Grants? Not even on the radar.
But that’s changing.
Whether you've just discovered grants through this newsletter (yay!!!) or heard another creator mention winning a substantial amount, rest assured, this is a viable income stream.
Yet many creators approach grants the wrong way.
As a 4x grant-funded creator and former grants administrator, here’s what creators often get wrong:
1. I’ll apply later.
Grants have submission windows—they open and close at specific times. Some are one-time-only. Others return annually. But there’s no guarantee the grant you want will exist when you’re finally ready. If you're not actively searching, you're missing real money.
2. Expect guarantees
Grants aren’t guaranteed — they’re a numbers game.
You win by consistently applying and getting good at telling your story and demonstrating the impact of your work.
Go Deeper with our Grant-Writing Workshop
Learn how to write stronger, more compelling applications from an experienced grant writer. Perfect if you’ve found a grant but don’t feel confident applying (yet).
→ Join the Grant-Writing Workshop
3. Look for hyper-specific grants that may not exist
Looking for a “YouTuber grant” might leave you empty-handed.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t funding out there. It means you need to expand how you describe your work.
This brings me to my next point.
4. Underestimate the power of positioning
You’re not just a creator — you’re a small business owner, an artist, a storyteller, a disrupter, or even an innovator.
The way you define yourself shapes how (and where) you look for opportunities. Unfortunately, most creators often sell themselves short.
When you see a grant that isn’t labeled for “writers” or “filmmakers,” you might scroll right past it — but that could be a missed opportunity.
How to fix it:
1. Expand how you describe your work.
Start asking: 🚫 Why doesn’t this apply to me?
2. Focus on mission alignment.
Ask yourself: 🤝 Am I aligned with this funder’s mission and values?
If the answer is yes, then you may be a strong fit — even if the grant doesn’t mention your exact medium or platform.
So, in summary, you’re not just a YouTuber. You’re a storyteller with a mission.
Yes, you create videos — but that’s just the medium. What matters most is the message and the impact.
🎯 Maybe you’re educating people about mental health.
🌍 Maybe you're amplifying underrepresented skateboarding athletes.
💡 Perhaps you're helping others learn new skills, feel inspired, or see the world differently.
Your mission is the core. Period.
Video/Audio/Artwork/Short Shorties/[Insert Your Medium Here] is just the vehicle.
Most funders care more about the purpose than the platform. And if they do care about the platform, trust that they’ll explicitly say what they are NOT looking for.
This simple reframing can help you qualify for funding opportunities you might otherwise overlook.
5. Overthink the first step
That’s where Grants For Creators comes in. We invite you to join our community and take advantage of our resources and support.
We support you in multiple ways—from 1:1 Grant-Finding Strategy Sessions to our curated monthly newsletter, packed with open opportunities, and our Starter Guide, which breaks down the most common stumbling blocks holding creators back.
No matter where you’re starting from, there’s a clear next step.
If you expand how you see yourself and learn how to find and vet the right opportunities, grants can become a real part of your income.
Grants are not too good to be true.
They’re just underutilized in the creative space.
Ready to see what’s out there?
Don’t miss this month’s funding opportunities: