Top 5 Tips for Writing Successful Grant Proposals

Once you have done the research and assessed that it is appropriate and worth your while for your agency to apply for funding, your proposal needs to stand above the rest.  Here are five tips for writing a stellar proposal.
 

1. Tri-alignment: Your project or program for which you are seeking funding needs to align with your agency’s mandate, the needs of your constituents (not the needs of your organization) and the grantmaker’s priorities. 
2. Clear and Consistent Program Design: Your objectives address the need or problem; your outcomes follow from your objectives; your outcomes can be measured and you can measure them; and your activities are relevant, realistic and cost-effective.
3. Clear and Consistent Writing Style: You have one chance to persuade the grantmaker with words- make all the words count. Less is more. Write for a generalist. Respond to an anticipated thought of the reader. Minimize absolute terminology. Include a connection to a current event. Incorporate grantmaker language.
4. Partnerships: Secure partnerships that strengthen your project, your agency and sector. Partnerships should not be a last minute thought but should be a necessity to bring the project to fruition.
5. Budgets: Make them real, cost effective for the grantmaker, worthwhile for your agency, and a reflection of the narrative.