Writing a grant proposal can be a complicated process. There are several factors to consider, from your project’s scope to the organization you’re applying to.
And hey, we don’t blame you for being nervous about it! But trust us: the more prepared you are before writing a grant proposal, the easier it’ll be to write one that meets all of its requirements and gets approved. So let’s talk about what makes for an excellent grant proposal.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Clearly define your project’s purpose and objectives. |
| 2. Research and target appropriate funding sources. |
| 3. Understand the specific guidelines and requirements of each grant application. |
| 4. Develop a compelling narrative that communicates the project’s significance. |
| 5. Emphasize how your project aligns with the funder’s goals and priorities. |
| 6. Outline a realistic budget and provide justifications for expenses. |
| 7. Showcase the potential impact of your project through data and examples. |
| 8. Address potential challenges and provide strategies for overcoming them. |
| 9. Edit and proofread your proposal for clarity, conciseness, and professionalism. |
| 10. Follow submission guidelines and deadlines meticulously. |
1. Read The Guidelines And Make Sure You’re Following Them To The Letter
One of the most important things you can do when writing a grant proposal is read the guidelines carefully.
This may sound obvious, but it’s actually one of the biggest mistakes that people make when writing grants.
It’s easy to forget that many funders have specific requirements for what they want applicants to include in their proposals.
They might not tell you this directly the instructions often come in fine print or through dense paragraphs that sound more like a college assignment than instruction on how to submit an application. So it’s easy to skip over them if you’re not careful!
Building a successful grant proposal requires careful planning and execution. Discover valuable insights on how to win a grant for your nonprofit or small business, and increase your chances of funding.
2. Don’t Make Unsupported Assumptions
For example, if you are writing a grant proposal to help fund your organization’s mission, the funder will be interested in knowing what the purpose of your organization is and how it benefits those around you.
If you assume that the funder knows this information, they may not feel as though their time has been well spent reading your proposal when they don’t understand its full impact.
Instead, spend some time explaining what exactly it is that makes your organization special and why it matters for them to continue funding it as well as how important that funding is for other people in need.
In order to avoid assumptions like these and ensure that all aspects of your grant proposal are fully explained and justified:
Make sure each section begins with an introduction paragraph stating what will be discussed within each section (for example: “In this section,”) so that the reader knows where they’re headed next;
- Include supportive data such as statistics or case studies whenever possible;
- Answer any questions about how exactly funds would be utilized;
- State any specific goals or objectives being met by using said funds;
- Choose words carefully when describing projects or programs so as not to confuse readers (i.e., do not describe things using terminology which may seem obvious only because we share similar experiences);
- Avoid jargon when possible (try using plain words instead).
3. Write With A Purpose In Mind
It’s important to understand the purpose of the grant before you start writing.
Write for the grant reviewers, not for yourself: This is a common mistake writers make. They write about what they are passionate about and what they want to do with the money/grant, but this isn’t going to help get them funded.
The only thing that matters is getting funding from these people who don’t know you or care about your passion project they just need evidence that it can be successful in order for them to approve funding!
To accomplish this goal, focus on explaining how your project will benefit others (a specific group of people) and why it needs funding now rather than later.
Write for the grantor, not just yourself: If they’re reading through hundreds or thousands of proposals every year and only have limited funds at their disposal (or less).
Then each applicant must come across as reliable and trustworthy so that there aren’t any red flags waving around when deciding who gets funded first!
Maximizing grant money through effective proposal writing is essential for nonprofits. Explore our tips on getting more grant money using strategic nonprofit proposal techniques to enhance your funding prospects.
4. You Don’t Have To Reinvent The Wheel
Use a template. There are many different templates you can use to help you with your grant writing, but it’s best to find one that is close to the size and scope of your proposed project.
Having an exact fit will make it easier for reviewers to evaluate where you might need improvement and where you’re already doing a good job.
Use a sample proposal. If there aren’t any existing templates that work well for your organization, try looking at examples from other organizations that have had success with grants in the past or are similar in nature (i.e., animal shelters vs pet stores).
Being able to see how other people wrote their proposals before they were awarded funding can give some insight into what makes them so successful and maybe even give inspiration for how yours could be improved upon!
5. Make Sure You’re Answering All Of The Grant’s Questions
When you’re answering the questions, make sure you’re also answering all of them. Make sure your answer to question 3 is actually an answer to question 3, not question 1.
That way, when the grant reader goes back through their checklist and finds out that you didn’t address all of the questions in order, they won’t feel like they have to start over again. They’ll know where you left off (in this case: at question 2) and be able to go from there.
Crafting an exceptional grant proposal demands attention to detail. Explore our collection of 11 tips for writing an exceptional grant proposal to ensure your proposal stands out and resonates with funders.
6. Start The Brainstorming Process Early And Organize Your Thoughts Before You Start Writing
The next phase of the process is to start writing your proposal. If this is your first time crafting a grant proposal, we recommend that you start early and organize your thoughts before you begin drafting.
The following tools can help:
A mind map (a graphic organizer) can be used to brainstorm ideas for the project narrative, which includes background information on the organization and its need for funding and why it deserves support from the funder.
A template helps guide you through each section of the proposal so that all sections are consistent in format and language. You can also find templates online at places like [Grant Proposal Templates].
Or you could use our free downloadable grant writing template here: [Grantsmart Mailer Workbook Template]
A spreadsheet is another option for organizing your thoughts into headings, subheadings, bullet points and other helpful categories.
Some people even create charts or graphs with data on one side so they can see relationships throughout their proposal more clearly when they look at it later on during review (you will want others who know nothing about what you do to review your application).
7. Don’t Get Caught Up On Wording; Just Get Your Ideas On Paper First
It’s tempting to spend time worrying about grammar, spelling and formatting while you’re putting a proposal together.
But the truth is that if you’ve done your homework (and haven’t already been rejected), then most of those things will take care of themselves as long as you have a good idea for the organization to consider.
The best way to get a grant proposal off the ground is by getting all of your thoughts down in writing first, then go back and make sure it looks good after everything else has been taken care of. You can also ask someone else to proofread it for you if necessary.
Before embarking on a grant application journey, understanding key factors is crucial. Learn about what you should know before applying for a grant to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and insights to navigate the grant application process effectively.
8. Be Specific About How You’ll Use The Money If Awarded The Grant
It’s important to be as specific as possible about how you will spend this money, and why it’s important for your organization to have that financial support.
One way to do so is by breaking down exactly what each item will cost and then adding those numbers together for a total amount.
This way, there are no surprises later on down the line when it comes time for payment or delivery.
For example: “We will purchase 100 copies of our book on April 1st at $12/copy ($1,200), on May 1st we will pay an editor $150/hour ($1,500)…”
9. When It Comes To Budget, “Zero” Is Not An Acceptable Number For Any Category (Ask For What You Need)
When it comes to your budget, “zero” is not an acceptable number for any category (ask for what you need).
A common problem among new grant writers is that they try to think of the minimum amount they will need and write their proposal around this number.
However, this approach can be problematic because it doesn’t allow room for error or unexpected expenses that may come up in the course of the project.
For example, if a writer were submitting a proposal for $10K and only asked for $5K but then learned after submitting their application that there was an additional $4K needed for materials costs (think: projectors and screens).
They wouldn’t be able to get it through unless they had some sort of contingency plan in place beforehand which would have been difficult without access to more funding at first glance.”
10. Research Other Grants That Have Been Awarded In Your Field And Incorporate Their Style Into Your Proposal
This is a great way to see what other organizations are doing, and how they describe their projects. You may want to borrow pieces of information or language from these proposals.
However, be careful not to copy the style or approach of another proposal exactly! For example, if you’re writing an environmental proposal and see that one organization has used solar panels as part of their project, that doesn’t mean that solar panels are going to be effective for your project too.
You’ll have to consider all the details about your circumstances when determining what sort of approach is best for you.[4]
Writing a successful grant proposal involves strategic thinking and careful considerations. Explore our comprehensive guide to 12 things to keep in mind when writing a successful grant proposal, providing you with essential insights for creating compelling proposals.
Writing A Grant Proposal Can Be Challenging, But This Guide Will Help You Along Take Way
Be specific. It’s crucial that you are as clear and precise as possible when you write your grant proposal.
The more information you include about the project, how much money is needed, what types of equipment or services are required and why they are necessary for success will make it easier for funding agencies to understand what your organization wants to do and why it would benefit them if they gave money to support your efforts.
Organize yourself before writing anything down by creating an outline that details all of the facts necessary for completing each section in the document (e.g., introduction, methods/procedures description, evaluation plan).
Once done with this step take some time reviewing everything so far until everything matches up perfectly before continuing on with any further planning or writing tasks at hand.”
Conclusion
If you’re new to grant writing, the process can feel overwhelming at first. But with a little guidance and practice, you’ll be able to write winning proposals in no time.
We hope these tips have helped! If not, check out our other guides on grant writing (link) or our blog post about how to write a successful grant proposal (link).
Further Reading
Explore these resources for more insights into grant proposal writing:
Pandadoc’s Guide to Writing Grant Proposals: Dive into a comprehensive guide that provides in-depth advice and tips for crafting effective grant proposals.
Pre-Writing Steps for Successful Grant Writing: Learn about the essential steps to take before writing a grant proposal to increase your chances of success.
Writing Center’s Guide to Grant Proposals: The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center offers a thorough guide to help you understand the components and strategies of writing grant proposals.
FAQs
How do I get started with writing a grant proposal?
Getting started with grant proposal writing involves understanding the project’s purpose, target audience, and goals. Research the funding organization’s guidelines and tailor your proposal accordingly.
What should I include in the introduction of a grant proposal?
The introduction should provide a clear overview of your project’s mission, goals, and its alignment with the funder’s objectives. It’s also essential to establish the significance of the project.
How do I demonstrate the project’s feasibility in a grant proposal?
You can demonstrate feasibility by outlining a well-defined project plan, including a timeline, budget, and resources needed. Address potential challenges and provide strategies to mitigate them.
What is the importance of showcasing the project’s impact?
Showcasing the project’s impact helps funders understand the value of their investment. Use data, statistics, and success stories to illustrate how the project will bring about positive change.
How can I make my grant proposal stand out?
To make your grant proposal stand out, focus on clear and concise writing, use visuals to enhance understanding, highlight the project’s uniqueness, and align your proposal with the funder’s priorities.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.