Tips on Grant Writing

Researched by Sunday Akinrelere.

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Grant writing is both an art and an act. It is the process of completing proposals or application for funding a particular project, provided by an organization or a foundation.

Different private, corporate, and government organizations receive great number of grant applications daily, but there are certain things they look out for in every proposal, which give a proposal an edge over others.

Have you written so many grant applications that didn't attract funding? Do you have a project that requires funding? Or you want to learn the basics for grant writing? This article addresses why your applications are not considered and the tips for grant writing to increase your chances of getting funded.

1. Focus on a single project.

Grant makers usually award grants to a specific cause. Your project should address a particular problem in the community in order to increase your chances of getting funded. It is believed that there are greater chances of success when focusing on a single project than multiple projects at the same time.

2. Demonstrate your ability to affect change.

Funders want to invest in organizations that focus more on solutions than problems. They are interested in change makers, not selfish organizations that are driven by money. So, when writing grant application, ensure you give your application positive vibes by stating the impacts you want to make in your community and the solution you are bringing to a problem.

3. Establish relationship.

It is essential you build relationship with the Funder or Grant Maker before sending your application in order to increase your chances of getting a positive response. Interact with the Funder or foundation by sending email or, better still, making phone calls. The relationship you have established with the Funder will distinguish you from other non-profit organizations.

4. Pay attention to requirements or specifications.

No matter how sincere you are with your proposal, if you fail to pay attention to the Funder's requirements when writing your grant application, it may end up being rejected. Ensure you follow all specifications set by the Funder such as font size, font type, page margins, word limit, typeface, and other guidelines. Adhere strictly to all requirements; do not see them as unnecessary. Avoid sending documents that are not required by the Funder.

5. Be good at story telling.

Boring proposals have higher chances of being rejected, especially if there are numerous applications on the Funder's desk. Bear in mind that the grant is highly competitive and only few inspiring or catchy proposals will be considered. Do well to write a concise and compelling grant application that will inspire the reader, while avoiding technical terminologies or jargon by all means. Take your time to write the application. Do not rush. Sometimes, effective grant writing takes more than a day, even a month.

6. Ensure your budget calculations are correct.

When writing a grant application, be sure your budget agrees with the grant you are requesting. Budgets that are more than the amount needed will have the application rejected, as it sends a negative signal to the Grant Makers that you are not a good manager of money.

7. Engage a trusted editor and reviewer.

To enhance your grant-seeking success after completing your grant application, involve a trusted editor and reviewer within or outside your organization to help edit and review your grant application. Do not rely absolutely on your brain. You might have committed some spelling or grammatical errors that could hinder the success of your application, which the editor will identify and correct. Ensure you take feedback after the review.