To write a successful grant proposal, read the funder's guidelines closely, lay out a clear action plan, ask for a realistic budget, write in plain language, revise the draft with others, and start early.
When your organization needs funding to start a charitable project, applying for a grant is one thing you can do. The application process itself is often simple, but writing the proposal can feel daunting. It does not have to be, once you know how. Here are 6 tips.
1. Read the guidelines
Do not just skim the guidelines: read them carefully, so that you do not miss anything important. Small details can make or break a grant proposal.
Funders usually have specific areas of interest, types of support, evaluation criteria, and eligibility rules. Some only give grants to organizations that serve the needs of a particular area. You may also have to send a grant report afterward to tell the funder what you did with the money.
In short: read the guidelines carefully.
2. Outline your action plan
A good action plan lists your goals, objectives, action steps, measures of success, and who is responsible for what. The details depend on the kind of project you are working on.
A well-laid-out action plan takes you a long way toward winning the grant.
3. Set a realistic budget
The size of grants varies from one funder to another. Do not ask for the maximum amount just because you can. An inflated budget only makes your organization, and your project, look inefficient.
4. Write clearly
Why are you applying for the grant? Describe clearly how your project will help the community. Spell it out if you have to.
Keep your paragraphs and your sentences short: they are easier to read than long ones. Use graphs and charts to make a point, not to make your proposal look sophisticated.
Leave out the jargon, too. It will not impress anyone, and people outside your organization may not even understand it. You do not want the grant officer to look up every second term you use. The tips for enhancing your business writing apply here as well.
5. Edit and revise
Never submit your first draft. When you have finished the proposal, read it out loud to your team. Does anything sound odd? Do they see points that need more explanation? Are there any spelling or grammar mistakes?
To make editing easier, paste the draft into the Spell Checker or open the document there. It points out spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes quickly, so your team can focus on the content.
6. Start early
Do not leave the proposal until the last minute. Writing a grant proposal is a lot of work: there is plenty to prepare, and you need to keep revising the proposal until it is sharp.
Some funders award grants only once or twice a year. If you are aiming for such a grant, use the months before the deadline to polish your proposal.