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 Successful
grant proposals require careful planning, attention to detail, and clear
packaging.
Be
thoroughly familiar with the grantor’s interests, intentions, and needs.
Clearly state how your proposal will help the grantor reach their
audience/mission. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
Remember,
each proposal is unique. They must be specific to the project at hand and
match the non-profit’s unique capabilities with the grantor’s mission.
One template does not fit all!
Speak the
grantor’s language. Use their literature as a “style guide” to
reinforce the
commonality between your project’s and the grantor’s goals.
Strong
documented community support is an important ingredient of successful
proposals.
Personal
contact with the grantor is recommended. Asking the grantor for feedback
and guidance allows you to float “trial balloons” regarding your approach,
strategy and goals. In addition, it gives your proposal exposure among
the grantor’s staff. When possible, a personal visit to the grantor's
office may allow you to highlight portions of your proposal and to address
or reinforce the grantor’s reaction. Also, presenting a preliminary
letter of intent that summarizes your proposal may increase your chances
of success.
Know the
grantor’s calendar. Make sure you comply with all deadlines (or be
prepared to wait until the next year’s funding cycle).
Most
proposals follow a similar outline. Each piece builds upon the prior one
and must excite the reader enough to continue reading through the entire
proposal. In general, they include:
-
Executive Summary
– short and sweet (one page)! This critical part of your package must
capture the interest of the reader. It is best prepared after the
proposal is complete.
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Needs
Analysis
– must clearly address
the problem with factual evidence of the need to undertake the project.
Data must be accurate, current and unemotional. The project must be
worthwhile and your organization’s capabilities and skills should be
stated in a way that makes it clear that your organization can
help remedy the problem. Decide whether or not the problem is
replicable; if so, could your solution be a model for others?
-
Description of the project
– this section should consist of five sub-sections: measurable
objectives, detailed methods,
qualified staffing/administration, formal product and process
evaluation, and sustainability (long term viability).
-
Budget
– a well-prepared expense budget must tie directly into the project
description and justify all expenditures. This will become a good
management tool once the project is approved and funded.
-
Information about your organization and conclusion – Details about your organization’s skills and experience should come
only after the need for the project is established. A good conclusion
will summarize the benefits and may introduce future tasks.
Have a
qualified third party proofread your material. Continuity, clarity,
spelling, grammar and neatness all count!
Don’t over
promise. Keep your goals realistic.
The size
of your proposal should reflect the size of your dollar request. Quality,
not the quantity of the information presented is what matters.
If your
project is rejected, a follow-up call can provide invaluable information.
Perhaps the grantor ran out of funds or misunderstood a point in the
proposal. Clarifying the reason for rejection will help with future grant
applications.
When in
doubt, apply anyway. When your project is compelling, it may qualify for
funding even if you do not meet 100% of the eligibility requirements.
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