Grant writing is an art form. It’s a chance to put forward your best ideas and share them with the world. It’s also a chance to show off your organizational skills, but only if you follow all of the directions carefully.
So, here are some common mistakes that nonprofit professionals make when applying for grants:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Thoroughly research each funding opportunity to align your proposal with the funder’s priorities. |
| 2. Clearly define your project goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes to showcase a compelling narrative. |
| 3. Organize your proposal meticulously, following the provided guidelines and highlighting key sections for easy review. |
| 4. Provide a detailed budget with clear justification for each expense, demonstrating your financial responsibility. |
| 5. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to identify and rectify potential errors or areas of improvement. |
| 6. Review your proposal for clarity, coherence, and proper formatting to ensure a professional presentation. |
| 7. Tailor your proposal to resonate with the funder’s mission and showcase how your project addresses their priorities. |
| 8. Avoid vague language and jargon; use concise, straightforward wording to convey your ideas effectively. |
| 9. Double-check for grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies that could undermine the credibility of your proposal. |
| 10. Continuously improve your grant writing skills through learning opportunities, workshops, and studying successful proposals. |
Applying For The Wrong Type Of Grant
Not knowing the different types of grants available is the biggest mistake you can make when writing a grant application. The first step in avoiding this mistake is to get familiar with the various types of grants and their requirements. Here’s what you should know:
Embarking on a journey in grant writing can be daunting. I recall my early days when I was just starting as a grant writer, wishing I had known then what I know now.
Foundation Grants
Foundation grants are typically awarded by private foundations on an annual basis, as opposed to government-sponsored or corporate grants which are only awarded once or twice per fiscal year.
They come with specific guidelines that must be met before they’re given out and usually require major involvement from non-profit organizations like yours for them to be awarded.
For example, many foundation awards focus on helping those who are economically disadvantaged or at risk for homelessness; therefore it would be wise if your organization worked closely with such populations before submitting a proposal for funding consideration.
You can find information about these types of grants by searching online through databases like Foundation Directory Online (FDOL), Foundation Center Online (FCOL), and Foundation Grants Database (FGB).
Failing To Read The Instructions
Failing to read the instructions carefully, or even a second time, is a common grant writing mistake. Reading them once and assuming you understand them perfectly is an even worse mistake!
After all, if you’re going to spend hours drafting your grant proposal and months submitting it not to mention thousands of dollars on travel costs and other expenses you want to make sure you get it right.
Ask for help from friends or family members who can offer the fresh perspective that only comes from someone who isn’t as close-minded as yourself (and therefore won’t mind reading through your work over and over again).
If possible, ask multiple people in different departments at your organization/institution/company/etc., as they may have different areas of expertise that could spot errors in your proposal’s language or structure.
Continuous learning is key to success in the grant writing world. To improve your grant writing, it’s essential to embrace feedback, adapt strategies, and refine your approach.
Not Addressing The Proposal Requirements Completely
One of the most common grants writing mistakes is failing to address all of a funding organization’s requirements.
If you don’t address all of the elements in the order they’re listed, it’s easy for reviewers to think that your proposal has been hastily thrown together and not given much thought.
That’s why it’s so important that you thoroughly understand every part of a proposal before submitting it: if something is missing, make sure it gets addressed before submitting!
Failing To Follow Directions Regarding Format And Font Size
Use a font that is large enough to read. The recipient of your grant application may be forced to read it on a laptop screen or over the phone, so make sure that your document is easy to read when printed in black and white.
Use an easy-to-read font. If you use something like Comic Sans or Papyrus, there’s no guarantee that your reader will be able to see it!
Use a consistent font throughout the document. This includes having all headers in the same style as headings and all subheadings in the same style as subheaders, etcetera (you get my drift).
Stick with what was requested for other documents in this proposal package: if one section uses Times New Roman 12 pt., then don’t use Arial 10 pt. elsewhere!
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to writing a grant. Crafting a compelling proposal requires a blend of research, strategy, and genuine connection with the funder’s mission.
Writing An Unprofessional Proposal
There are numerous mistakes you can make when writing a grant proposal. One of the most common is not taking the time to proofread it.
Your proposal must be clear and well organized so that any reader can easily understand what it says. Don’t use abbreviations or acronyms unless they are widely understood in your field or audience.
Avoid jargon whenever possible, as this will only confuse your readers and detract from the overall quality of your work.
Always use a clear, easy-to-read font (such as Arial) with a consistent font size throughout the document (12 points is recommended). Make sure that headings and margins are formatted consistently; do not skip unnecessary spaces between paragraphs;
Always use double spacing instead of single spacing; place titles above texts rather than below them; avoid underlining text unless you intend for it to be italicized; check spelling errors carefully before submitting it for review by potential funders!
Being Unfocused Or Unclear In Your Objective
The first step to avoiding these common grant writing mistakes is to be clear and focused on what you want to achieve.
Your objective should be short, simple, and easy to understand. It should have a clear purpose. If the objective is too broad, it can get confusing for the reader who may not know where your project is going or how it will benefit them. Consider following the “Tell Me More” format:
- Tell me what we want to achieve (the goal)
- Tell me how we will achieve it (the plan)
- Tell me when we will do so (the timeline)
Not Presenting Detailed Project Plans And Timelines
Writers often make the mistake of not including a detailed project plan and timeline. These are essential pieces of information that can help your grant reviewer understand exactly how you plan to spend their money, as well as why it will take so long for them to see results.
A good grant proposal should include these key elements:
Crafting a successful grant proposal demands attention to detail and a holistic understanding of your project’s impact. Ensure your narrative aligns with the funder’s vision.
A Detailed Budget
- Detailed timelines for each stage of the project
- An explanation of how you arrived at your budget totals
- Misplacing words, paragraphs, or lines in your application`
Mistakes with font, spacing, and alignment can make your application look unprofessional. In addition to the basic formatting guidelines you should follow for any document, there are some specific things to keep in mind when writing a grant proposal:
Use The Correct Font Size, Font Type And Color
Use white space. Don’t crowd everything into one paragraph or block of text leave plenty of room between paragraphs and sections in your document so that the reader doesn’t feel overwhelmed by everything coming at them all at once!
Use bullet points instead of sentences or paragraphs when relevant information is too long or complicated for simply listing out here (e.g., descriptions about how many people will be served by your proposed project).
Headings help break up sections of text and make it easier for readers who may want just one particular piece of information without having to read through everything else first just remember not to use too many headings as they can become distracting if used too often!
Charts/graphs are another useful way of illustrating complex concepts using graphics rather than words alone (e.,g., showing how many hours per week volunteers spend working on various tasks).
Tables are another option but tend not to work well in smaller devices such as smartphones
Images should always be labeled correctly; if they’re included under their heading then this isn’t necessary but otherwise, ensure each image has its caption explaining what it represents as well as referencing where it came from within whatever article/book, etc…
Including Incomplete Data Or Not Following Statistical Procedures Correctly
How well you use statistical procedures will determine whether your grant application is rejected or approved. Statistical analysis is a critical part of determining whether a nonprofit’s success can be attributed to its efforts, rather than outside factors.
For example, let’s say that a nonprofit wants to make recommendations about how much money should be invested in homeless shelters based on the results of their survey.
They want to know if there are enough beds available in each shelter and if they have enough staff members who can provide adequate care for their clients 24/7.
To do this, they would first need to analyze the data from their survey questionnaires (and any other sources) by conducting some basic calculations such as averaging scores together across all respondents and finding standard deviations.
So they can tell how big or small those scores were compared with each other within each group being studied (e.g., men vs women).
Then they would look at how different factors like age correlated with different outcomes (e.g., length of stay versus satisfaction), before finally making conclusions based on what patterns emerged from these findings.”
Navigating the complexities of grant writing requires a combination of skills and insights. These tips to help you write fundable proposals can serve as a valuable toolkit, enhancing your chances of securing crucial funding.
Submitting A Proposal That Lacks Cohesion And Flow
A well-written grant proposal should flow seamlessly from one section to the next. You don’t want to confuse the reader with lots of random, unrelated information.
You can achieve this by using various types of headings and subheadings, links, numbered lists, and bulleted lists. As you create each section, make sure it has a title (for example: “Project Management” or “Budget”).
The title should be followed by a summary explaining what lies within the section. Then follow up with an introduction that provides background information on why your organization wants this grant money in the first place (even if it’s just “we need money”).
Finally, end with a conclusion that restates what was addressed earlier in both short and long-form versions so they’re clear even if someone skips around the document.
Read The Instructions Carefully
The most common error we see is when writers either don’t read or follow directions carefully. You can’t go wrong with following the instructions, even if they seem super long and boring!
The worst thing that’ll happen is that you’re over-prepared and have to cut some of your materials from your grant application.
Most grants aren’t worth applying for unless you’ve followed all of their instructions to a T.
In addition, many organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) require applicants to answer questions about how much money they need and why they think it’s important for them.
This may seem like an unnecessary burden on an already busy day but failing to do so could cost you any chance of getting funded!
Conclusion
Avoiding these common grant writing mistakes can help you get funded. You’ll be more likely to receive funding and less likely to waste time reworking your proposal. The next time you sit down to write a grant proposal, make sure it’s perfect and do so before submitting it!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on common grant writing mistakes:
Grant Adviser – 10 Most Common Grant Writing Mistakes Short Description: Explore the ten prevalent grant writing errors that could hinder your chances of success. Learn how to avoid these pitfalls and improve your grant writing prowess. URL: https://www.grantadviser.com/10-most-common-grant-writing-mistak
NIMH – Common Mistakes in Writing Grant Applications Short Description: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sheds light on common mistakes made during grant application writing. Gain insights into these errors and enhance your application strategy. URL: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process/common-mistakes-in-writing-applications
Allied Writers – Grant Writing Mistakes to Avoid Short Description: Allied Writers provides a comprehensive guide on avoiding grant writing mistakes. Discover practical advice and actionable tips to refine your grant proposal and maximize your chances of success. URL: https://www.alliedwriters.com/grant-writing-mistakes/
FAQs
What are the most common grant writing mistakes?
Common grant writing mistakes include insufficient research, vague project goals, poorly organized proposals, lack of alignment with funder’s priorities, and inadequate budget justification.
How can I avoid common mistakes in writing grant applications?
To avoid common mistakes, thoroughly research the funding opportunity, tailor your proposal to match the funder’s mission, follow guidelines meticulously, seek feedback from peers, and review your proposal for clarity and coherence.
What impact do grant writing mistakes have on the application process?
Grant writing mistakes can negatively impact your application’s chances of success. They may lead to rejection or lower scores during the review process, potentially preventing you from securing the desired funding.
How do I improve my grant writing skills?
Improving grant writing skills involves continuous learning, studying successful proposals, attending workshops or webinars, seeking feedback, practicing effective communication, and staying updated on funding trends.
Are there resources to help me identify and rectify grant writing mistakes?
Yes, various online platforms, including grant advising websites, government agency resources, and professional writing services, offer guidance on identifying and rectifying common grant writing mistakes.
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.