A grant proposal is one of the most important documents in your organization’s toolkit. It can help you convince funders to invest in your project, and it’s often the first chance to show them why they should support you.
The good news is that there are some things you can do before writing a successful grant proposal that will increase your chances of getting funded. Here are 12 tips to keep in mind:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Clearly define the project’s goals and objectives. |
| 2. Research and understand the funding organization’s mission. |
| 3. Address the specific needs and challenges your project solves. |
| 4. Craft a compelling narrative that demonstrates impact. |
| 5. Use data and evidence to support your claims. |
| 6. Tailor your proposal to the funder’s guidelines. |
| 7. Clearly outline your budget and financial needs. |
| 8. Emphasize your organization’s track record and credibility. |
| 9. Show how your project aligns with the funder’s priorities. |
| 10. Highlight the expertise of your team and partners. |
| 11. Develop a realistic and achievable timeline. |
| 12. Edit and proofread your proposal for clarity and accuracy. |
1. Understand The Common Goals That Funders Have
Funders want to help people. They want to improve the world. They want to make the world a better place, and they want to have a positive impact on it.
You don’t have to be overly dramatic in your proposal; just stick with your core message about having ideas that can do good things for others as you go about your work in this field or area of interest.
Enhancing your grant acquisition efforts requires a solid understanding of effective proposal writing. Learn valuable insights in our guide on getting more grant money with nonprofit proposal writing and pave the way to funding success.
2. Keep Your Proposal Concise, Complete, And Organized
Your proposal should be concise, complete and organized. This means you should avoid lengthy sentences and use short paragraphs to break up the text. Bullet points are also good for this purpose. Headings help readers find their way through the proposal too;
They can be used to organize sections within a paper or chapter and make the document easier to read. You’ll also want headings at the beginning of each section of your proposal, as well as in your tables, figures and references pages (if applicable).
If you have a list of appendices or other materials that are included with your application but not part of it, include them at the end as an appendix.
You may also want to consider adding tables, figures, or other graphics where appropriate so that readers can scan through information without losing sight of key ideas from paragraph-long sentences or bullet points within longer sections
3. Explain Why You Are Interested In The Project
It is important that you explain why you are interested in the project. You should also explain why you are qualified, passionate about the project, and believe you are the best person to work on it.
If your organization has already established itself as an expert in its field, this may be enough to demonstrate your qualifications;
However, do not assume this will suffice as a reason for being selected over other applicants who may have more expertise or experience than yours. Instead of asking “why me?” it is better to ask “what makes me special?”
Crafting a grant proposal that stands out requires strategic techniques. Discover our comprehensive list of 11 tips for writing an exceptional grant proposal and elevate your proposal game for increased funding prospects.
4. Understand Current Funders’ Needs And Limitations
If you’re writing a grant proposal for a particular funder, it’s important to know what the funders’ needs and limitations are. This is because these factors will determine your proposal’s success with that funder.
For example, if you’re trying to get funding from a government agency and their priority is social justice initiatives.
Then chances are they’ll be more interested in seeing proposals that focus on improving access to education and health care for minorities than one that focuses on restoring historic buildings.
5. Avoid The Word “Solution”
The word solution should be used only when talking about a problem. If you are writing a grant proposal, you are presenting yourself as someone who has already figured out how to solve the problem and is now looking for funding to put your plan into action.
The word solution should not be used in your proposal unless it’s part of an actual quote from someone else that can’t be avoided (i.e., this person said we need “a solution”).
Unlock the secrets to securing grants for your nonprofit or small business with our expert advice. Dive into our guide on how to win a grant and position your organization for funding triumph.
6. Identify At Least One Solution To A Funder’s Problems
This seems like an obvious step, but it’s important to make sure you understand the problem your funder is trying to solve before you start writing. You don’t want to propose a solution that doesn’t address any of the issues they’re facing.
Once you’ve identified their challenges, consider what solutions could work for them. Look for proven models or technologies that have been used successfully in other parts of the world and consider how they could be adapted locally.
It’s also helpful if you can come up with multiple options so that your proposal isn’t too narrow; this is especially useful when applying for funding from an international organization like USAID or Global Fund (more on these below).
It’s also important that your proposed solution is feasible does it have buy-in from stakeholders? Is there enough data available?
Is there evidence showing success rates/improvements after implementing similar projects in other countries or regions? Will there be enough time and resources available?
You should also think about whether it would be legal, ethical and sustainable in both the short term and long term if not, then it might not get approved by those reviewing proposals!
Finally, consider whether this idea can scale well enough; if not then maybe another option would be better suited for sustainability over time regardless of its effectiveness during its initial stages
7. Provide A Strong Detail Explanation Of What You’d Like To Do
The purpose of the project is to provide clean drinking water to the community. The primary goal is to collect water samples for testing, and then make sure that those results are reported back to the community.
I plan on doing this by setting up a station at the local school with a sign that says “Water Sampling Station: Here you can pay $5 and have your water tested at no charge” above it.
Next, I will go around town handing out flyers advertising this service and encouraging people to stop by our station if they want their water sampled (or if they just want more information about what we do).
The benefits of this project include providing clean drinking water for everyone in town so that nobody gets sick from dirty tap water anymore.
It will also help raise awareness about how important it is for people not only take care of themselves but also their environment as well – especially when it comes down having something as simple as clean drinking water available!
Finally because we’re providing these services free-of-charge rather than charging money upfront like some companies would do (like private labs).
There won’t be any financial barrier preventing people from getting tested which means everyone will know exactly what’s going into their bodies when they drink/cook with tapwater again.”
Navigating the complexities of grant proposal writing is key to attracting essential funding. Explore our guide on how to write a proposal for grant money and equip yourself with the skills to present persuasive grant applications.
8. Don’t Use Words Or Phrases Too Often
The most common mistakes in grant proposals are using words or phrases too often. When you use a word or phrase often, it starts to lose its meaning and impact. You also risk losing your audience’s attention if they’ve heard the same words again and again throughout your proposal.
You should avoid using words that have become overly familiar because they aren’t as specific as they once were.
This is especially true for terms like “trendy”, “vital”, “innovative”, “cutting edge” and other superlatives that tend to be overused by grant writers (and other professionals).
These terms tend to make people think less about how important your message actually is because you’ve already told them how important it is!
Instead of focusing on what makes something “new”, focus on what makes something useful:
9. Demonstrate How Your Proposed Project Will Be Funded Through Its Budget
The grant proposal budget is the place to describe how the money will be spent. Describe exactly how it will be allocated, and why this is a good idea. This can be done in several ways:
You may want to include some kind of pie chart, which shows allocation by percentages (or even dollars).
This is especially helpful if you’re trying to justify your need for a specific amount of funds and also demonstrates that you have planned out how those funds will be used well before writing the proposal itself.
Another option would be a line-item list that explains each item’s cost and purpose in more detail than just saying “this one costs $5 million.”
ut less detail than explaining exactly what each dollar buys over time in terms of labor hours/materials needed/etc., as well as why it needs them at all (“We’ll need $5 million worth of labor hours because…”).
10. Provide Evidence That Your Project Would Make A Significant
To make your project stand out, you’ll want to provide evidence that it would make a significant contribution to the field. Here are some ways you can do this:
Show how your project is unique. What makes it different from previous work in the area? How will it expand beyond existing approaches and practices?
Show how your project will impact people or communities. If there’s no direct benefit for those impacted by the issue or problem, then it’s unlikely that anyone will care about funding your work.
Show that you have a clear plan for sustainability after grant funding ends (if applicable). For example, if you’re developing new technology, does the technology already have applications outside of research?
Or if you’re conducting research on an endangered animal population, does it have any commercial value as well?
Understanding the fundamentals of grants and funding is crucial for organizations seeking financial support. Get started with our comprehensive guide on Grants & Funding 101 to gain insights into the grant-seeking process and funding landscape.
11. If You Are Asking For Money, Include Detailed Estimates Of The Costs Of Your Project In A Section Titled “Budget” Or “Financial Plan”
If you are asking for money, include detailed estimates of the costs of your project in a section titled “Budget” or “Financial Plan”. Break down each category into smaller categories, and then break down each item within those categories.
Include a detailed description of every line item (i.e., if you’re going to spend $3000 on paper supplies, specify what kinds of paper you will be purchasing).
This will help grant reviewers understand how their grant would be spent and help them evaluate whether they think the proposed budget is realistic or not.
12. It Is Not Just About Doing Research And Writing Stuff
If you are writing a grant proposal, you have to think about what your readers want and need. You have to know what they’re looking for in a grant proposal, and also what they will be looking for in yours. This is because:
Readers of grant proposals are busy people who have many other things to do than read the same old “we need money” pitch over and over again.
They get tired of reading boring stuff that doesn’t relate to their lives or their jobs (or doesn’t even sound like it was written by someone who actually understands those things). So if yours sounds like this kind of thing, they won’t be interested in it!
If they don’t care about your project enough, then there’s no way they’ll give you any money and that would be sad indeed!
Conclusion
When writing a proposal, it’s important to remember that funding organizations are looking for different things. Some organizations are more interested in seeing a detailed budget while others may be more concerned with the potential impact of your project.
Be sure to take time to understand which factors are most important for each potential funder and tailor your proposal accordingly!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your understanding of successful grant proposal writing:
12 Top Tips for Writing a Grant Application: Explore expert advice on optimizing your grant application process to increase your chances of success.
Key Components of a Successful Grant Proposal: Discover the essential elements that contribute to a compelling and effective grant proposal.
Quick Tips for Better Grant Writing: Access a concise list of practical tips to enhance your grant writing skills and produce more impactful proposals.
FAQs
How can I improve my grant application’s chances of success?
Enhance your grant application’s success by thoroughly researching the grant’s requirements, aligning your proposal with the funder’s priorities, and presenting a clear and compelling narrative.
What are the key components of a strong grant proposal?
A strong grant proposal typically includes a clear project description, a well-defined budget, a demonstration of need, a realistic timeline, and a compelling case for the project’s impact.
What are some quick tips for better grant writing?
Focus on writing a concise and persuasive narrative, highlight the problem your project addresses, demonstrate your organization’s credibility, and proofread your proposal meticulously.
How can I make my grant proposal stand out?
To make your grant proposal stand out, emphasize the uniqueness of your project, provide data and evidence to support your claims, and communicate a compelling story that resonates with the grant reviewer.
What is the importance of aligning with a funder’s priorities?
Aligning your proposal with a funder’s priorities increases your chances of success by demonstrating that your project is in line with their mission, making it more likely that they’ll see value in supporting your initiative.
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.