--- title: Creating a Successful Grants Management Plan description: Grant funding is not guaranteed or instant, so it’s important to plan ahead. Read our tips for creating a successful grants management plan. image: https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/2022%20Blog%20Feature%20Image%20Templates%20-%20JD/Creating%20a%20Successful%20Grants%20Management%20Plan%20-%20Blog%20Feature%20Image.png --- [![After School 21 - Full Color](https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/After%20School%2021%20-%20Full%20Color.svg "After School 21 - Full Color")](https://www.21cclc.com/) # 21CCLC Blog # Creating a Successful Grants Management Plan By Phillip Smith | Oct 25, 2019 7:30:00 PM | [21CCLC](https://www.21cclc.com/blog/topic/21cclc) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Creating%20a%20Successful%20Grants%20Management%20Plan) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.21cclc.com%2Fblog%2Fcreating-a-successful-grants-management-plan%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) The key to [creating a successful grants management plan](https://www.21cclc.com/ebook-creating-a-successful-educational-grants-management-plan-for-your-after-school-program) is making the best possible use of funds to set a program up for long-term success. Research is extremely important during this stage—and there are a few key things to remember:   1. Grant funding isn’t immediate.   2. Make explicit note of deadlines and timelines, because coordinating an application is typically more work than anticipated.   3. There are more funding opportunities beyond federal education grants.  When developing a grants management plan for a program, we strongly encourage:   - **Being proactive** and planning to build [sustainability ](https://www.21cclc.com/blog/keep-the-lights-on-when-your-after-school-program-loses-grants-and-funding)can help ensure future success for an after-school program  - **Thinking about grant lifecycles** can help prepare for the inevitability of funding “running out”  - **Utilizing performance data** optimizes an after-school program and can illuminate a path for continuous improvements over time  It’s essential to think about how the program will operate when a grant ends. Well organized management teams with a proactive approach and diverse sources of funding that are secured well in advance of shortages have a much better chance of [keeping the lights](https://www.21cclc.com/keeping-your-lights-on-when-your-21cclc-funding-ends) on when their grant comes to an end.  For additional steps to creating a successful grants management plan for your after-school program read our ebook which includes a bonus “Grant Management Checklist.”   [![Download the Ebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2100863/086e6797-eda3-484a-9890-f5c295917ae5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2100863/086e6797-eda3-484a-9890-f5c295917ae5) [AfterSchool21](https://www.21cclc.com/request-more-information-afterschool21) is a flexible, easy-to-use online program management software solution. It is used by state departments of education and programs across the country to support clean, accurate data for their Annual Performance Reports, year-over-year reporting for their donors and grants, as well as fee management for their parent-pay features.   [Schedule a demo](https://www.21cclc.com/request-more-information-afterschool21) to see why AfterSchool21 is the best choice to support your grants management plan for your after-school program.  ![Phillip Smith](https://www.21cclc.com/hubfs/img/author_headshots/PHSmithFam13-0213.jpg) **About The Author** Phillip leverages his extensive software and education industry experience to share innovative solutions for many of our valued TransAct customers and partners. As leader of AfterSchool21 and OutOfSchoolTime-Tracker sales, he helps support after-school program administrators in parent pay management and accurate 21APR reporting. Phillip also leads the ActPoint KPI team and the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS) partnership. ActPointKPI supports district and state business leaders nationwide in their efforts to manage costs and drive resources back to where they belong–the classroom. 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