Grant managers face unique stressors and neglecting their mental health can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individuals but also the institutions and grant seekers they support.
In 2022, McKinsey conducted global research on employee mental health and well-being which involved around 15,000 employees across 15 countries. It showed that almost 25% of them were experiencing burnout symptoms and that the problem was especially pronounced in nonprofit organisations.
It’s also important to consider applicants’ and grantees’ wellbeing. The grant management process can be stressful and full of uncertainty if grant seekers don’t have the right resources and support. This ultimately compromises the ability of both parties to progress with their joint mission.
This article explores some common stressors in the grantmaking process, the impact of neglecting mental health, and some tactics for promoting wellbeing among employees and grant seekers.
Common Stressors in Grant Management
Grant management is a demanding profession that comes with numerous responsibilities and challenges. Below are some key stressors in the field.
Tight Deadlines
Grant managers often work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple applications and grant programs simultaneously. The pressure to meet these deadlines can lead to long hours, compromised sleep health, and significant stress.
Pressure to Secure Funding
The pressure to secure grant money can be immense. This responsibility places significant weight on the shoulders of grant managers, knowing that a failure to secure funds could lead to project delays, cancellations, or lost funding opportunities.
Meticulous Attention to Detail
Grant applications and reports require meticulous attention to detail, with any errors or omissions potentially causing disqualification or delays in grant funding. This need for precision can be mentally exhausting and increase the risk of burnout.
High Stakes Due to Resource Allocation
Grant managers are responsible for allocating significant financial resources. The high stakes involved mean that any mistake or deviation from expected outcomes can have substantial consequences, which adds further pressure on top of that of everyday tasks.
Emotional Investment in Projects
Many grant managers develop a strong emotional investment in the projects they support. They often believe deeply in the mission and impact of these projects, which can add an emotional burden to their professional responsibilities.
The Impact of Neglecting Mental Health
Neglecting mental health in this sector can have serious repercussions, not only for individuals but also for the organisations they work with and the applicants and awardees they support.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It typically occurs when individuals feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.
Burnout reduces productivity and saps energy, leaving individuals feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful, and its effects can spill over into every area of life. Other emotional signs include detachment, a lack of motivation, and a decrease in sense of accomplishment.
Physical symptoms can include frequent headaches, illnesses and body aches; insomnia; and a loss of appetite. According to research by Gallup, employees that often experience burnout are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 23% more likely to find themselves in A&E.
If not addressed, burnout can lead to serious health issues, including depression, gastrointestinal issues, and cardiovascular diseases, making it essential to recognise and manage the early signs effectively.
Errors
Stress and burnout can lead to errors in application processing, especially considering that cognitive functioning reduces when we’re under stress. Errors can be costly and time-consuming to correct, further increasing stress levels, while mistakes in financial reporting or compliance can also jeopardise funding and damage the organisation’s credibility.
Strained Relationships with Grantees
When grant managers are overwhelmed and stressed, their ability to maintain positive relationships with grantees can suffer. Poor communication, delays in processing, and a lack of empathy can compromise these relationships, leading to dissatisfaction and frustration among applicants.
High Turnover Rates
High stress levels and burnout contribute to high staff turnover rates. In fact, the research by McKinsey we mentioned earlier showed that employees experiencing burnout were six times more likely to quit their jobs within the next three to six months.
High turnover disrupts continuity, which stalls projects and leads to the loss of valuable institutional knowledge and experience. The loss can be especially significant when experienced grant managers – with a wealth of knowledge about funding sources, application processes, and relationship management – quit (and burnout is prevalent in leadership positions within the nonprofit sector). Recruiting and training new staff also incurs additional costs and time.
Promoting Wellbeing in Grant Management
According to Gallup, the top five factors that most strongly correlate with employee burnout are:
- Unfair treatment
- An unmanageable workload
- Unclear communication from managers
- Lack of manager support
- Unreasonable time pressure
With this in mind – along with the stressors discussed earlier – here are some solutions to improve the working lives of grant management staff.
A Supportive Environment and Open Communication
Organisations should create a supportive environment where mental health is a priority. This includes creating a culture of openness, where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking help when needed.
Regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and open-door policies can help employees feel heard and supported, while clear communication about expectations and workloads can also prevent misunderstandings and reduce anxiety.
Mental Health Training
Providing training on stress management and mental health awareness can equip grant managers with the tools they need to cope with their responsibilities. This may include helping employees to recognise the signs that they are struggling. After all, we can easily get used to unhelpful or unhealthy states of being and they can seem normal – when they are not.
Training to address mental health concerns can teach about stress reduction techniques (such as mindfulness and other forms of meditation, breathing exercises, and so on) as well as the importance of exercise and diet. Employees may also be guided to further resources or local groups where they can gain further assistance in practising stress reduction techniques.
Other practical training content may also directly contribute to reducing stress; for example, time management training may help staff manage their responsibilities better.
Promoting Work-Life Balance
Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is crucial for preventing burnout. This can include flexible working hours, remote work options, and policies that discourage overtime, while ensuring employees take regular breaks is important for helping them recharge and maintain their focus.
McKinsey’s research also looked at the top stressors among nonprofit leaders. The top stressor was poor sleep; others in the top 10 included lack of exercise, no time for self-care, and a poor life routine. Since we all need sleep, exercise, etc., this underscores the importance of flexibility for all employees – whatever their position.
Employee Assistance Programs
Implementing employee assistance programs (EAPs) in partnership with healthcare providers can give employees access to counselling and other appropriate forms of support.
Mental Health Days
Providing mental health days as part of the organisation’s leave policy allows employees to take time off to focus on their mental wellbeing without feeling guilty or stigmatised. These days can be used for rest, relaxation, or engaging in activities that promote mental health.
Encouraging Social Interaction
Social interaction is an important component of mental health, which became ever-more apparent during the pandemic and with the continuing trend of remote working. Some individuals may benefit from being encouraged to socialise during work breaks; arranging company social events is another good option for maintain social connections among staff.
This approach won’t suit everyone, though. For example, staff that are in constant communication with stakeholders may need solitude during breaks in order to recharge. With that said, others – despite the high volume of professional communication – may feel recharged by casual conversation and a good laugh. It’s about finding out what works for each employee and making it an option.
Supporting Grant Seekers’ Mental Health
The grant application process can be stressful and time-consuming for grant seekers. Supporting their mental health is also important and can be achieved through several strategies.
Clear Guidelines
Providing clear and comprehensive guidelines for grant applications can help reduce stress and confusion for grant seekers. It can make the process more manageable and less intimidating.
Effective Communication
Maintaining effective communication with grant seekers throughout the application process can alleviate any anxiety caused by uncertainty or overwhelm. This may involve providing regular updates on the status of applications and prompt responses to inquiries.
Timely Feedback
Providing timely and constructive feedback on applications can help grant seekers understand their strengths and areas for improvement, which can be valuable for future applications and reduce frustration and disappointment.
Educational Resources
Offering educational resources about the application process can demystify things, reduce stress, and provide grant seekers with the knowledge and skills they need to submit strong applications. These resources could be in the form of workshops, webinars, or written guides, for example.
Supportive Relationships
Building supportive relationships with grant seekers creates a positive and collaborative environment. Showing empathy, understanding their challenges, and providing encouragement can make a significant difference in giving them a positive experience throughout the grant period.
How Can Grant Management Software Reduce Stress for Grant Managers and Grant Seekers?
A grant management system unlocks the door to an effective grant management process. It can significantly reduce stress for both grant managers and grant seekers by streamlining many of the complex and time-consuming tasks involved.
It provides clarity and ease to both parties, while freeing up grant managers and administrators to focus on successfully carrying out their main duties – instead of getting bogged down in repetitive tasks.
Features like application templates, streamlined grant tracking, compliance, and reporting capabilities all save time, minimise errors and ensure timely submissions – which in turn, reduces some of the concern around deadlines.
There are also tools to manage the distribution of grant funds, visually track project progress, analyse the impact of each grant program – and much more.
For grant seekers, user-friendly interfaces make it easy to navigate the requirements and submit accurate, complete proposals.
Conclusion
To summarise, the stressors in grant management take their toll on the mental health and wellbeing of both grant managers and grant seekers. Neglecting mental health can lead to burnout, errors, strained relationships, high turnover rates, and the loss of valuable institutional knowledge; as such, recognising and addressing these stressors is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce.
Strategies to improve mental health in grant management include creating a supportive environment characterised by open communication and encouraging work-life balance. Tactics such as mental health and wellbeing training, as well as support programs, are also highly beneficial. For grant seekers, clear guidelines, timely feedback, educational resources, and supportive relationships can enhance their experience and success in securing funding.
Prioritising mental health and wellbeing in this sector benefits everyone involved, leading to more effective grant processes, stronger relationships, and better outcomes for funded projects. Want to learn more about how Flexigrant supports stress-free grant management? Contact us today for more information or to request a demo.
