They’re Not Ahead, They’re Just on a Different Ride

What often looks like speed and effort is really the result of groundwork laid much earlier.

Recently, while struggling up a flight of stairs, I came to the realization that I was not the exceptionally fit person I thought I was, despite years of yoga. Strength and flexibility weren’t the issue, but cardio was. So I got an exercise bike and one of those apps where you can ride through different places around the world, some days the California redwoods, other days the south of France.

And friends, I am SLOW. I can see other riders in the app passing me (that’s a picture of me in virtual Belgium, getting passed by another rider once again). One after another, they move ahead—faster, stronger, more efficient. It’s really easy to compare myself to others or question my abilities. It can even make me question whether I want to continue.

This can happen when starting or building a nonprofit as well. You are developing programs, supporting your community, and being thoughtful about how you approach funding. But all around you, others seem to be getting ahead. More proposals submitted. More grants awarded. More announcements of new funding posted on LinkedIn—maybe even the same ones you applied for.

But it’s not the same race.

I’ve been a runner and yogi my whole adult life. Other than a few spin classes a couple of years ago, cycling is new to me. I’m still building foundational skills—figuring out the bike, what cadence and resistance level I need, and what nutritional support works best for me.

On those rides, the people passing me are likely on completely different settings. They may have different training goals, better equipment, or simply more time in the saddle. They’re not riding the same ride I am, even if it looks that way on the screen.

The same is true in the nonprofit world. Organizations that seem to be moving quickly often have something you can’t see: a clear case for support, well-defined outcomes, established relationships with the funders they’re approaching, and internal systems that support their grant strategy. In other words, they know who they are, where they’re going, and they’ve already built the strategic foundation that enables that speed.

Without that foundation, doing more doesn’t actually help. You’re just spinning your wheels.

This is where grant readiness comes in. It’s the part of the process that happens behind the scenes. It’s the work of getting clear on your programs, your impact, and your long-term goals before you start applying. It’s not the most visible work, and it doesn’t always feel urgent, especially when funding needs are immediate. But it’s what makes everything else more effective.

And yes, it can feel slow at first, especially when it seems like everyone else is passing you.

But what you are building is yours. If you came to this work through lived experience, you know better than anyone else what you and your community need and what will work for you. If you come with outside experience, some of that foundational work is listening to your community’s voice and allowing them to lead in building the narrative about their strengths and challenges.

Let this be your reminder that you don’t need to be in anyone else’s race. What you need is a strong foundation that supports your work.

If you want a place to start, I’ve created a free Grant Readiness Checklist that walks through the foundational pieces every organization needs before applying for grants. It’s a simple way to see where you are, and where a little more intention could make all the difference.

You can access the checklist here.

If you want to go further, you can download my Fundable Nonprofit Starter Kit. It includes everything you need to build your own grant foundation in your own time, at your own speed.

You can access the starter kit here.

Because in the end, this isn’t about what others are doing or how fast they are going. It’s about building the foundation that works for you.