Sometimes, a horse can be persuaded with just a carrot. Other times, it takes a stick.
When it comes to grants from government and private sources, virtually every grant comes with both a carrot and a stick.
Recently, this was evident with the grant the city received for constructing the Freedom Trail Playground. While this grant was not applied for during my tenure, I witnessed the impact of the "stick" when we completed the project.
To close out the grant and maintain good standing, the city had to impose a permanent restriction on the deed for the city's land. After a few weeks of delays and extensive additional research, we discovered that this new restriction did not add any further limitations beyond those already placed by prior grants on the same land.
Moving forward, our team has committed to thoroughly analyzing the "stick" associated with any grant applications. It's essential to remember that every granting agency expects something in return. Often, these conditions are harmless and come at minimal cost, but occasionally the "stick" can be so burdensome that what seems like "free money" isn't worth the price.
So, when you find yourself reaching for a grant, be mindful of the "stick." Unlike the Dire Straits song, we don't get "money for nothing" and your grant ain't free!
Therefore, always ask: What is the carrot, and what is the stick?