Understanding Grant Cycles

As part of our work, we like to remind folks that grants don’t just appear randomly on a funder’s website. They follow a rhythm. If you take a deeper look, you’ll notice patterns—seasonal cycles that repeat year after year.

For example, most youth program funding deadlines pop up in the spring, when funders want programs lined up and funded before the summer begins. Meanwhile, many health-related grants cluster in the fall, when organizations are reporting outcomes from the previous fiscal year and setting budgets for the year ahead.

Then there are the rolling grant rounds. While these sound like “anytime money,” they often move on a hidden schedule. Rolling grants are usually tied to committees that meet quarterly. If you look closely, funders often disclose board or committee meeting dates—and those are the true decision windows.

The Fiscal Year Factor

Deadlines don’t just follow the seasons—they also follow the calendar of funders.

• Federal grants run on an October–September fiscal year, so you’ll often see activity around September 30deadlines.

• Student aid programs like Pell Grants and FAFSA use a July–June award year, making June 30 a key cutoff date.

• Many states and municipalities operate on July 1–June 30 fiscal years. That means June deadlines can be common for city or state-level funding opportunities.

How to Use This Insight

• Review your prospect list. Do you see a theme? Are most of your potential funders tied to education? Health? Municipal budgets? Group them by funding cycle and fiscal year.

• Map your deadlines. Most grantmakers peak in March, September, and October. But don’t overlook June if you’re chasing municipal or state dollars.

• Don’t sleep on rolling deadlines. Submitting right before a quarterly meeting can save you months of waiting.

Understanding these cycles will save you time, help you prioritize, and make sure you’re not missing critical windows of opportunity.