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As a nonprofit, funding can be a constant challenge. While there are many ways to secure funding, grant applications are an essential part of a nonprofit’s strategy. Grants offer a unique opportunity to receive funding for specific projects or programs, and they often come with fewer restrictions than other funding sources. However, writing a successful grant application can be a daunting task. In this blog post, we will provide 10 tips for writing successful grant applications for nonprofits.

1. Do Your Research

Research is crucial when it comes to finding the right grant opportunities for your nonprofit. It’s important to find grants that align with your nonprofit’s mission and goals. Here are some tips for finding relevant grants:

  • Use grant databases: There are several grant databases available online that can help you find grants that match your nonprofit’s mission and goals. Some popular grant databases include GrantWatch, Foundation Center, and GrantStation. These databases allow you to search for grants by keyword, funding source, and location
  • Subscribe to newsletters: Many funding organizations send out newsletters that provide information about upcoming grant opportunities. Subscribing to these newsletters can help you stay up-to-date on the latest grant opportunities and ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines.
  • Attend webinars: Some funding organizations offer webinars or information sessions to provide potential applicants with more information about their grant programs. Attending these sessions can help you learn more about the funding organization’s priorities and requirements.
  • Network with other nonprofits: Networking with other nonprofits in your community or field can be an excellent way to learn about new grant opportunities. Attend events or meetings where other nonprofits are present and ask for recommendations or referrals.
  • Check government websites: Many government agencies offer grant programs for nonprofits. Check the websites of federal, state, and local government agencies that align with your nonprofit’s mission and goals to see if they offer any grant programs.
  • Research past grantees: Researching the past grantees of a funding organization can give you an idea of the types of projects or programs they fund. This can help you determine if your nonprofit’s work aligns with the funding organization’s priorities.

By following these tips, you can find relevant grants that match your nonprofit’s mission and goals. It’s important to remember that not all grants will be a good fit for your organization, so be selective and only apply for grants that align with your nonprofit’s work.

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2. Review the Grant Guidelines Carefully

Thoroughly reading and understanding the grant guidelines is essential before beginning the application. Here are some tips to help you review grant guidelines effectively:

  • Create a checklist: A checklist can help you ensure that you have covered all the essential requirements mentioned in the guidelines. It can also help you keep track of deadlines and submission requirements.
  • Highlight key requirements: It can be helpful to highlight or underline critical sections of the guidelines, such as eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and specific requirements for the application.
  • Seek clarification: If you have any doubts or questions about the guidelines, don’t hesitate to reach out to the funding organization for clarification. It is better to get your doubts cleared before you start working on the application.
  • Look for hidden requirements: Sometimes, grant guidelines may have hidden or implied requirements that are not explicitly stated. For example, some funding organizations may prioritize projects that have a strong community engagement component, even though it may not be mentioned in the guidelines. Look for these hidden requirements and try to incorporate them into your application.
  • Check for formatting and submission requirements: Make sure to carefully review the formatting and submission requirements for the application. Some funding organizations may have specific requirements regarding font size, spacing, and file formats.

In summary, reviewing grant guidelines carefully is an essential step in the grant writing process. It can help you ensure that your application meets all the requirements and has the best possible chance of being funded. Take the time to read the guidelines thoroughly, seek clarification if needed, and keep track of important deadlines and requirements. By doing so, you can increase your chances of writing a successful grant application for your nonprofit organization.

3. Tell a Compelling Story

Crafting an effective story is a continuous process that evolves with your mission, your impact, and your audience. This task is so crucial that we’ve dedicated an entire post to it, The Art of Storytelling: Inspiring Donor Support. We encourage you to explore it as a valuable resource.

We’ve also created a free Nonprofit Storytelling Companion Workbook to guide you in finding your organization’s unique voice and crafting a compelling narrative that can inspire and engage your audience.

Here are some tips for crafting a narrative that highlights your nonprofit’s impact and mission:

  • Start with a hook: The opening sentence of your grant application should be attention-grabbing and make the reader want to continue reading. Start with a statistic, anecdote, or quote that illustrates the need for your nonprofit’s work.
  • Use specific examples: Use specific examples to illustrate the impact of your nonprofit’s work. Use real-life stories of people or communities that have benefited from your programs or services.
  • Avoid jargon: While it’s important to demonstrate expertise in your field, avoid using jargon or technical language that may confuse the reader. Use simple, clear language that anyone can understand.
  • Explain your nonprofit’s mission: Clearly explain your nonprofit’s mission and how it aligns with the funding organization’s priorities. Demonstrate your nonprofit’s expertise and experience in the field.
  • Show the importance of your work: Use data and statistics to demonstrate the importance of your nonprofit’s work. Use facts and figures to illustrate the scope of the problem your nonprofit is addressing and the impact of your programs or services.
  • Highlight innovation: If your nonprofit is doing something innovative or unique, highlight it in your grant application. Explain how your approach differs from others in the field and how it has been successful.
  • Use visuals: Use visuals such as photos, graphs, or charts to illustrate your nonprofit’s impact. Visuals can help break up the text and make your application more engaging.

By crafting a narrative that highlights your nonprofit’s impact and mission, you can make your grant application stand out and increase your chances of receiving funding. It’s important to keep in mind that the narrative should be clear, concise, and compelling, and should demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of your nonprofit’s work.

4. Address Potential Concerns or Criticisms

Addressing potential concerns or criticisms that the grant reviewer may have can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips for addressing concerns in the application:

  • Anticipate concerns: Put yourself in the reviewer’s shoes and think about potential concerns they may have about your project or program. Are there any potential risks or challenges that need to be addressed?
  • Provide a plan for sustainability: One common concern is whether the project or program will be sustainable beyond the grant period. Address this concern by providing a plan for sustainability, including how the program will be funded and sustained in the future.
  • Address potential challenges: If there are potential challenges that may arise during the project or program, address them in your application. Be honest about the challenges and provide a plan for how they will be overcome.
  • Highlight your nonprofit’s expertise: If the reviewer has concerns about your nonprofit’s ability to carry out the project or program, highlight your nonprofit’s expertise and experience in the field. Provide examples of similar projects or programs that your nonprofit has successfully implemented.
  • Demonstrate collaboration: If the project or program involves collaborating with other organizations or stakeholders, demonstrate that you have a plan for collaboration and that you have buy-in from these organizations or stakeholders.

By addressing potential concerns or criticisms in your grant application, you demonstrate that you have thought through the project or program thoroughly and that you are committed to addressing any challenges that may arise. This can help build trust with the reviewer and increase your chances of success.

5. Use a Professional Design

To make your nonprofit’s grant proposal stand out and create a positive impression on the grant reviewer, it’s important to have a well-designed application. One way to achieve this is by using professional design software such as Canva to create visually engaging and appealing proposals. In case of time or skill constraints, you can also consider using a premade template that can be customized to fit your needs.

To further support your fundraising efforts, we offer a wide variety of expertly crafted fundraising proposal templates in our online store, designed to meet the diverse needs of nonprofits. Explore our templates and streamline your grant application process by selecting a template that truly embodies your cause and vision.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using these design tools.

  • Use a clean and consistent layout throughout the application, with clear headings and subheadings to organize the content.
  • Choose a color scheme and font that reflects your nonprofit’s branding and mission, but avoid using too many colors or fonts that are difficult to read.
  • Incorporate visuals such as images, graphs, or charts to illustrate your proposed project or organization’s impact.
  • Use white space effectively to make the application easy to read and navigate.
  • Make sure all text is legible and free of errors, and that the formatting is consistent throughout the application.
  • Consider including a cover page that features your nonprofit’s logo and a brief summary of the proposed project.
  • Don’t overdo the design elements or sacrifice clarity for aesthetics. The content of the application should still be the main focus.
  • Test the design on different devices and ensure that it can be easily printed or saved as a PDF for submission.

By following these tips, you can create a visually appealing grant application that effectively communicates your nonprofit’s mission and proposed project to the grant reviewer.

6. Emphasize Collaboration:

Many funders prefer to support organizations that work collaboratively with other nonprofits, government agencies, or community organizations. In your grant application, emphasize any collaborations or partnerships that your nonprofit has formed or plans to form. Explain how these partnerships will enhance the effectiveness of your programs or services and demonstrate your nonprofit’s commitment to working with others to achieve common goals. Here are some additional tips for highlighting partnerships in your grant application:

  • Be specific: Clearly identify the partner organizations and explain the nature of the partnership, including the roles and responsibilities of each partner.
  • Emphasize the benefits: Highlight the specific ways in which the partnership will enhance the effectiveness of your programs or services, and ultimately benefit the community you serve.
  • Provide evidence: Use data and examples to demonstrate how similar partnerships have been successful in the past and how they can be successful in the proposed project.
  • Discuss sustainability: Explain how the partnership will be sustained beyond the initial grant funding period and how it will continue to benefit your nonprofit and the community.

By emphasizing your nonprofit’s collaborations and partnerships in your grant application, you can demonstrate your organization’s commitment to working with others to achieve common goals, while also increasing your chances of securing grant funding.

7. Follow the Application Instructions Carefully

When it comes to writing a successful grant application, following the application instructions exactly as they’re written is essential. Here are some tips for avoiding common mistakes:

  • Double-check the budget: The budget is an essential part of the grant application. Be sure to double-check all numbers and calculations to avoid mistakes.
  • Submit all required attachments: Make sure you have included all required attachments, such as your organization’s financial statements or letters of support.
  • Adhere to formatting requirements: Follow the formatting requirements specified in the grant guidelines. This includes font size, margins, and line spacing.
  • Stay within the word or page limit: Grant applications often have a word or page limit for each section. Make sure you stay within the limit to avoid having your application rejected.
  • Use the correct terminology: Use the terminology specified in the grant guidelines to describe your project or program. Using incorrect terminology could lead to confusion and a rejection of your application.
  • Answer all questions: Be sure to answer all questions in the application, even if they don’t seem relevant to your project or program. Omitting answers can give the impression that you have not thoroughly thought through your proposal.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your grant application is completed accurately and thoroughly. Remember to always double-check your work and adhere to the grant guidelines to increase your chances of success.

8. Get Feedback from Others

Getting feedback on your grant application before submitting it can be invaluable. Here are some tips for getting feedback:

  • Ask colleagues or volunteers to review it: Reach out to people in your organization who are familiar with your nonprofit’s work and ask them to review your grant application. They can provide valuable feedback on the content, organization, and overall effectiveness of your application.
  • Attend a grant writing workshop: Many nonprofits offer grant writing workshops that can help you improve your grant writing skills and get feedback on your application. These workshops are often led by experienced grant writers and can provide valuable insights into what makes a successful grant application.
  • Hire a professional grant writer: If you have the budget, consider hiring a professional grant writer to review your application. They can provide expert feedback on the content, structure, and language of your application, and help you make sure that it meets all of the requirements.
  • Use online resources: There are many online resources available that can help you get feedback on your grant application. For example, you can post your application on a grant writing forum and ask for feedback from other grant writers, or use an online tool to analyze your application for readability, clarity, and effectiveness.

No matter how you choose to get feedback on your grant application, be sure to take the feedback seriously and use it to improve your application. Remember that the goal of getting feedback is to make your application as strong as possible, and increase your chances of receiving funding.

9. Edit and Revise

Editing and revising your grant application carefully can improve your chances of success. Here are some tips for reviewing and revising the application:

  • Take a break before revising: After you have completed your application, take a break for a day or two before you start revising. This will give you a fresh perspective when you come back to it.
  • Read it aloud: Reading your application aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and other issues that might be harder to spot when reading silently.
  • Check for consistency: Make sure that your application is consistent in tone, style, and formatting. Ensure that your language is consistent throughout the application and that your formatting is consistent with the grant guidelines.
  • Review your budget: Carefully review your budget to ensure that it is accurate and realistic. Double-check your calculations and ensure that your budget aligns with the grant guidelines.
  • Proofread carefully: Check your application for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Even small errors can detract from the overall quality of your application.
  • Get a second opinion: Ask someone else to review your application. A fresh set of eyes can help catch errors, suggest improvements, and provide feedback on the clarity of your writing.
  • Revise, revise, revise: Once you have received feedback and made any necessary changes, revise your application again. Make sure that your revised application is even stronger than the original.

10. Submit on Time

Submitting grant applications on time is critical as missing deadlines may result in rejection regardless of the quality of the application.Consistently missing deadlines can damage reputation and make it harder to secure future funding.

  • Set a deadline for yourself: Determine a deadline for when you want to submit your grant application, and work backward from there to create a timeline for completing each step.
  • Keep track of application deadlines: Keep track of the application deadline and any other important dates related to the grant, such as the announcement of the award or the start date of the project.
  • Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application. Starting early will allow you to review and revise the application multiple times and to seek feedback from others.
  • Use a checklist: Create a checklist of all the required components of the application, such as the budget, proposal narrative, and supporting documents. This will help ensure that you have everything you need before submitting the application.
  • Test submission process: Test the submission process before the deadline. This can help you avoid any technical difficulties that might prevent you from submitting the application on time.
  • Set reminders: Set reminders for yourself to ensure that you don’t miss the application deadline. This can be done through a calendar app or an email reminder service.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute: Avoid waiting until the last minute to submit the application. Unexpected issues or emergencies can arise, so it’s important to have a buffer of time to address any unforeseen problems.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of submitting your grant application on time and avoid missing out on potential funding opportunities.

In conclusion, the path to successful grant applications for nonprofits is a journey that involves thorough research, meticulous planning, compelling storytelling, and unwavering attention to detail. The guidelines outlined above, from rigorous research to timely submissions, serve as your roadmap towards securing vital funding for your organization’s indispensable work. Remember, your application only gets stronger with constructive feedback, diligent editing, and relentless revising. With consistent practice and enduring resilience, the art of grant writing can become second nature, helping you secure the resources your community profoundly needs. As an additional tool to bolster your efforts, consider using one of our expertly crafted fundraising proposal templates available in our online store. A well-chosen template can significantly streamline your application process and enhance your proposals’ impact. Visit our store today, and embark on your grant writing journey equipped with the best resources. Best of luck in all your grant writing endeavors!

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