Create a Grant Proposal That Impresses by Following These Easy Tips

• Author: Kelly Cooke
• Posted: 2024-06-25

With the deadline approaching for several important grants, now is a perfect time to brush off your writing skills. Though some grants may just require a basic application, all the big ones usually require an in depth proposal. The grant proposal is your chance to explain why you deserve funding, so it needs to be as impressive as possible. If you want to craft a memorable and compelling proposal, be sure to follow these tips.

Be Specific About Your Plans

Most grants have incredibly broad parameters like "journalism" or "small business." A lot of people just assume that they need to mention they meet these broad requirements. However, you lose out on a lot of what makes you so special when you do this. The last thing you want is a generic grant proposal that blends it with several others. It is better to be as specific as possible. Clearly state how you fulfill the category and what your special niche is. This ensures your proposal will stick around in the judges mind after they finish reading it. Remember that the purpose of a grant proposal should always be to show why you deserve funds more than the hundreds of other people asking for them.

Do Your Homework on the Grant

Check all the fine print for the grant carefully. You may find that certain groups, like local businesses or minorities, receive priority when allocating grant funds. Mentioning that you belong to a priority group will always improve your chances. For annual grants, it can also be a good idea to look and see what sorts of projects have gotten the grant in the past. Typically, organizations want to fund new and exciting ideas, not fund the same exact sort of project several years in a row. It is important to know these sorts of little details because it helps you tailor your grant proposal to fit the grant's requirements.

Answer Questions Before They Can Be Asked

Try to get into the mindset of the people who will be reviewing your grant. Look it over with a critical eye, and think about the sorts of questions they will have. Try to make sure any potential questions are answered in the proposal itself. This ensures you create a proposal that is as clear and impactful as possible. It also helps to reassure the grant reviewers that you are a thoughtful, organized person who can identify and address challenges.

Be Realistic With Your Goals

When writing a grant, it is tempting to shoot for the stars and be incredibly optimistic. However, most grant judges are experts who know how the industry works. If they can tell your plans are not actually feasible, they will pass on your proposal right away. Instead of promising things you cannot achieve, you need to think carefully about your goals and set realistic outcomes. It is still fine to be confident and hopeful, just make sure you do not sound like you are trying to mislead the judges. They can see through false promises and will be very uninterested in dishonest proposals.

Provide Information on Other Support

The majority of grant organizations do not want to be the only support for your project. If you have any other funds or contributions, be sure to mention them. Depending on what your project is, other contributions could include things like donated equipment or advice from mentors. This does a few things. First of all, it shows that others find you to be promising as well and are willing to invest in your success. It also reassures the grant organization that your project is sustainable because it does not rely on their support alone.

Summarize Your Proposal Multiple Times

Grant judges are just like anyone else. They usually lose their train of thought after taking in a bunch of information, and they can be easily distracted. You do not want a wandering proposal that forces the evaluator to constantly backtrack and try to piece together your main opinion. Instead, try to ensure you have a summary of your proposal both at the end and the beginning of the proposal. This prepares the reader to recognize your main point, then it ensures they remember it by the end of the proposal.