Grants are a great way to fund projects that are of interest to you and your organization. To get a grant, all you have to do is apply for it, but this can be challenging.
The process of writing a successful grant proposal takes time and effort, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how this type of project works. With the right knowledge and strategy in place, however, writing a winning proposal is possible for anyone!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the funder’s objectives. |
| 2. Craft a compelling problem statement. |
| 3. Align your proposal with funder’s goals. |
| 4. Develop a clear and realistic budget. |
| 5. Emphasize the project’s long-term impact. |
| 6. Use persuasive language and storytelling. |
| 7. Demonstrate your organization’s capacity. |
| 8. Provide evidence of need and demand. |
| 9. Follow the grant application guidelines. |
| 10. Review and edit for clarity and coherence. |
Tip 1. Start Early
It’s a common misconception that grant funding is available only to those who submit their proposals at the very last minute. Grants can be awarded at any point during the year.
The sooner you submit your proposal and show that you are ready to move forward with it, the better chance you’ll have of being selected as one of the grantees.
The same goes for any other opportunity to apply for grants: don’t wait until everything is in place before applying!
It’s always better to submit an incomplete application than no application at all and if your application is incomplete, let them know why and how soon they can expect an update from you.
Some people think they need everything lined up before they start writing their grant applications but having a fully formed idea or even a fully formed organization doesn’t mean anything if no one knows about it!
Even if your project isn’t quite ready for prime time yet, sharing what you’ve got along with what needs fixing (and how) will go far towards convincing funders that this is something worth supporting now and into the future.
If you’re aiming to secure more funding for your nonprofit projects, our article on “Tips for Getting More Grant Money with Nonprofit Proposal Writing” can provide you with valuable insights on crafting effective proposals that stand out and resonate with funders. Check out our tips for getting more grant money through nonprofit proposal writing.
Tip 2. Carefully Study The Request For Proposal (RFP) You Are Responding To
Next, you need to understand what exactly the RFP is asking for. The first step is to determine whether or not it’s a “stand-alone” RFP (one that requires a separate application and response) or if it’s part of an ongoing funding program that requires regular reporting.
Whether or not this is a stand-alone request, all government RFPs are structured similarly: they consist of three parts: Introduction (who), Requirements/Guidelines (how), and Evaluation Criteria (why).
Tip 3. Find Your Strengths
Find your strengths. If you don’t know what your strengths are, it’s time to take a step back and figure out how you can improve your skill set and experience. You might need to collaborate with others who have strengths in areas where you’re weak.
Identify growth opportunities. Once you’ve identified the areas where you need improvement or training, start looking at ways that this could be accomplished.
Whether by attending conferences or workshops, networking with professionals in the field through LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups (like mine), joining an organization such as SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), or taking classes at local colleges and universities.
Showcase your abilities early on in the application process so that funders will see how important they are when considering applicants’ qualifications, which may help secure funding for projects later down the road.*
Writing a grant proposal requires finesse and strategy. Dive into our “11 Tips for Writing an Exceptional Grant Proposal” to discover key techniques that can help you create persuasive proposals that capture the attention of grant reviewers. Explore our tips for writing exceptional grant proposals to increase your chances of success.
Tip 4. Do Your Research
Do your research on the funder and its mission. For example, if a funder is known for funding projects in your industry and you are applying for something else, look elsewhere.
Do your research on the project you are applying for. Are there any issues with it that may make it less likely to be funded? Is there another way to frame this project so that it fits better with the goals of a particular funder?
Do your research on the competition (other organizations) that have applied for similar funds from this same funder in recent months or years. How many got funded? What kind of proposals do they typically submit?
Where does their funding come from (e.g., foundation)? The more informed you can be about what others are doing, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to put together your proposal.
Tip 5. Build A Coalition Of Partners To Work With You On The Grant Proposal
“A team of partners can help you reach your goals.”
Find partners who have strengths that you lack. For example, a partner who has strong relationships with business leaders might be beneficial if you’re applying for a grant to improve your community’s economic development strategy.
Partner with like-minded organizations to reach your target audience more effectively and efficiently than if you went it alone; and if they don’t exist yet, consider forming one!
Find ways for all members of the coalition to work together on funding opportunities so that everyone gets credit when they’re successful and no one gets blamed when there’s a failure (like in politics).
Are you seeking ways to secure grants for your nonprofit or small business? Learn the tactics that can lead you to grant funding success by reading our comprehensive guide on “How to Win a Grant for Your Nonprofit or Small Business.” Discover how to win grants for your nonprofit or small business with our informative guide.
Tip 7. Build Relationships With Possible Funders
Establish a relationship with the funder. This can be as simple as learning about their interests, needs, and concerns and offering to help in any way you can.
If you do not know what grants they may be funding, ask them for some information on this topic and follow through by making yourself familiar with those programs.
When seeking funding from a foundation or corporate donor, it is important to understand their goals and how your organization might benefit them.
It is also good to learn about the kind of projects they fund so that when you are ready to apply for money from them in the future, there will not be any surprises!
When contacting potential donors, it’s always best practice to offer up some ideas on how they can use their money effectively–that way they know exactly how much good will result from their donation!
Tip 6. Know The Difference Between A Grant And A Contract
Grants are legally binding agreements between the funder and grantee, while contracts are legal agreements between two parties that can be terminated by either party.
Contracts tend to have a higher level of specificity around every clause of the agreement. They also require a great deal more detail about what is expected from each party, as well as timelines for completion, payment schedules, etc.
Grant agreements are generally less detailed because they express more of an intention than a strict set of requirements or conditions.
Tip 8. Understand The Grant Application Process
The grant application process is different for every funder, but you can expect it to be a multi-step process. You may have to submit your proposal in several parts and wait for a decision before moving forward with the whole project.
The grant application process usually involves multiple rounds of review. As you move through the grant funding stages, keep an eye out for feedback from reviewers on how to improve your application and use this information to improve your final version of the proposal.
Crafting a solid business plan is crucial for any endeavor. Whether you’re seeking funding or establishing a clear direction, our guide on “Guide to Writing a Business Plan” offers step-by-step insights to help you create a compelling plan. Learn how to write an effective business plan by exploring our comprehensive guide for writing business plans.
Tip 9. Tell A Compelling Story Of Outcomes And Impact
One of the most important things to do in grant writing is to tell a compelling story of outcomes and impact, in other words, explain how your project will impact the community. This means giving some thought to how your project will change things for the better.
It’s not enough to simply say that you’re going to use grant money on one thing or another; you need to explain how those funds are going to make a difference in people’s lives. The best way to do this is by explaining what different groups within your community will get out of it, such as:
Parents and teachers will be able to spend more time with their children.
Students who are struggling academically will get additional attention from teachers so they can keep pace with classmates who aren’t struggling as much academically.
Tip 10. Design Your Project To Achieve Results
Designing a project that will result in desired outcomes is the ultimate goal of grant writing. That’s why it’s important to think through what you want to achieve with the grant money, and then develop a plan for achieving those results. Specifically:
- What problem are you trying to solve?
- What is your desired outcome?
- How will you measure the results of your work (what are some possible metrics)?
- What are the expected outcomes from this project (what types of things will happen as a result of your efforts)?
Tip 11. Develop An Innovative, Outside-The-Box Approach To Your Project
To secure grant funding, you will need to develop an innovative, outside-the-box approach that stands out from the crowd.
As you are developing your proposal, think about the project from a different perspective. Ask yourself: How can I make this project stand out? What do people expect me to do with this money? What would be surprising or unexpected if I did it differently?
It’s also important to emphasize how your idea is different and better than others in your field. For example, most nonprofit organizations provide services for homeless people or low-income families with children who have learning disabilities (LD).
Yours helps veterans returning from Afghanistan by providing housing and counseling services for military families struggling with mental health issues after PTSD or other traumatic experiences associated with combat zones abroad
Navigating the world of grants for nonprofit organizations requires knowledge and strategy. Our article “Everything You Need to Know to Get Grants for a Nonprofit” covers essential information that can guide you in your pursuit of grant funding. Get equipped with essential knowledge about nonprofit grants through our comprehensive article.
Tip 12. Have The Right People Involved To Complete The Project Successfully
It’s important to have the right people involved in your organization and on your team. The more diverse your group, the better!
This will help ensure that you can take a broader perspective and make decisions based on all aspects of an issue. It can also help increase creativity by bringing together different perspectives and backgrounds.
When deciding who should be involved in a project, you might want to consider:
- What expertise do they have?
- What skills do they bring?
- How much time can they commit?
Tip 13. Make Sure You Have The Right Budget And Personnel In Place To Complete The Project Successfully
You should also make sure that you have the right budget and personnel in place to complete the project successfully. Your budget should be realistic and achievable, as well as flexible enough to accommodate contingencies.
You must include contingency funds in your budget, after all, every project encounters unforeseen expenses (or fails to meet its goals). If these eventualities have not been accounted for at all stages of development, they may come back to haunt you later on.
Section:Tip 14. Get Others’ Perspectives On Your Ideas And Proposals Before Submitting Them
Get feedback from colleagues. Before you submit a grant proposal, make sure that you have taken the time to get feedback from other people in your field or of similar experience and stature to yours.
Get feedback from members of the community you are serving. If possible, it is also helpful to get input from people who will be affected by your project those who would directly benefit from what you plan to do with your grant funding, as well as those who may be more removed from it (e.g., parents).
Their perspective can help keep your work focused on its core objectives and make sure that it is relevant to real-world needs and realities.
Get feedback from funders/reviewers: As part of our research process for this book, we reached out directly to several foundations’ program officers (who determine whether they will fund a proposal)and asked them how they evaluate proposals;
These individuals offered invaluable insights into what makes certain projects stand out in competitive funding situations and why others are not successful at all stages of the process
A Successful Grant Proposal Is A Work Of Art, Requiring Thought And Skill To Be Effective
A good grant proposal is a work of art that tells the story of why you need funding, what you plan to achieve with it and how you will use the money effectively.
It must grab the attention of those who review it quickly, so they can get through all the applications in time for their next meeting or deadline.
The best way to do this is by making sure your proposal stands out from others in its clarity and simplicity, yet still conveys everything necessary for success.
Conclusion
Once you’ve finished writing your grant proposal, it’s time to submit it. That means putting together a final draft that meets all the submission requirements, including formatting and length.
Some funders will give you guidance on how to submit electronically, while others may require paper copies only. You should also check into whether they accept email submissions as well as postal mailings some do!
Further Reading
Explore these additional resources to enhance your understanding of grant writing strategies and proposal development:
Successful Grant Writing Strategies: Learn from proven strategies that can help you write successful grant proposals and increase your chances of securing funding.
Mastering the Art of Grant Proposals: Delve into the intricacies of crafting compelling grant proposals with insights, tips, and best practices from industry experts.
Tips for Stronger Grant Proposals: Discover practical tips and techniques for strengthening your grant proposals, making them more persuasive and impactful.
FAQs
How do I improve my grant writing skills?
Improving your grant writing skills involves studying successful examples, understanding the needs of funders, and refining your proposal’s language and structure.
What should be included in a grant proposal?
A comprehensive grant proposal should include a clear problem statement, objectives, methodology, budget, timeline, and a compelling narrative that highlights the project’s impact.
How can I make my grant proposal stand out?
To make your grant proposal stand out, focus on demonstrating the uniqueness and significance of your project, aligning it closely with the funder’s priorities, and presenting a well-structured, engaging narrative.
What are common mistakes to avoid in grant proposals?
Common mistakes to avoid in grant proposals include vague objectives, unrealistic budgets, lack of alignment with the funder’s mission, and submitting incomplete or poorly formatted proposals.
How important is research in grant proposal writing?
Research is crucial in grant proposal writing as it helps you understand the funder’s goals, tailor your proposal to their priorities, and provide evidence of the need for your project, enhancing your proposal’s credibility.
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.