Elevate your grant application and secure the funding you need to make a real impact by unlocking the secrets to success. Our exclusive insight into grant proposal writing when you ask yourself these questions.
Crafting a successful grant proposal can be a daunting task, especially when competing with hundreds or even thousands of other applicants. It requires meticulous attention to detail and a strategic approach to persuade grantors to invest in your organization's mission and projects. In this blog, we will break down the essential elements of a winning grant proposal, providing you with a step-by-step roadmap to maximize your chances of success by asking questions in 7 common writing sections.
Here Are The 7 Fundamental Categories:
Organization
Mechanics
Word choice
Introduction paragraph
Body paragraphs
Conclusion paragraph
Formatting and finishing touches
Organization
Did you include the correct number of paragraphs or word count?
Are the paragraphs in a logical and cohesive order?
Does the paper provide a clear focus point?
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Mechanics
Did you read your paper aloud to check for grammatical errors?
Did you use complete sentences, provide correct punctuation, and use a spell checking tool?
Are you using versatile sentence structure?
Does the explanation have a strong persuasive feel with factual reasoning?
Are the key terms used throughout the proposal consistent across paragraphs and sections?
Word Choice
Does the paper have a creative, unique language?
Did you include sensory and figurative language in the writing?
Is there a vivid description of the program that shows detailed comparison?
Did you use strong verbs, adverbs, and adjectives?
Introduction Paragraph
Does your intro have a strong enough hook to grab any reader’s attention?
Will your grant proposal stand out from hundreds or thousands of applicants?
Is background information offered initially on your organization and program? This will include the church and specific program’s mission & vision statement. If you are unsure how to develop the history and statement above see pages 28-38 in the textbook “Grant Writing Strategies For Churches,” where you will find definitions, workable worksheets, and real-life examples that have been developed already.
Does your thesis statement include a strong statement and a reason to support the project?
Body Paragraphs
Does each section of your paper include an introduction sentence that explains what follows?
Do you have at least 2 evidence-based statistics to support the community need for this program to begin, providing sufficient evidence to substantiate the objective?
Proposed research plan or design built upon a firmly developed scientific basis
Did you ensure to properly in-text cite and create a works cited page for other sources used?
Did you properly conclude each writing section for clarity?
Is the project objective clearly and succinctly stated?
Does the difficulty of the problem adequately match the skills of the proposer(s), the timeline and budget specified?
Is the significance of the proposed work explicitly stated?
Is it convincing?
Does the nature of the proposed work align with the mission and the philosophy of the funding agency, and does the proposed work match the goals of the request for proposal (RFP)?
Are the materials, methods, and procedures suitable for achieving the objective?
Will the final outcome(s) of the work have sufficient impact? Has a dissemination path been identified? Have potential pitfalls, alternatives, and worst-case scenarios been discussed?
Is the proposed timeline and budget adequate and realistic to achieve the proposed measurable outcomes?
Will the proposer have access to the materials and support required to complete the objectives?
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Conclusion
Did you restate the thesis statement or reason for need with more details to invite the reader to think deeper into the program proposal?
Does your summary clearly conclude the project’s goals & impact?
Was the concluding statement a call to action, helping the grantor desire to fund the program.
Formatting and Finishing Touches
This is a part of the writing process that does not get too much attention. The format of the paper is important. First, making sure each section of the grant proposal is organized and in logical paragraphs. Ensuring that the font type is easily readable for anyone. Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri at font size 12 are recommended. Depending on the proposal outline and requirements, double spacing may help if the paper is more lengthy. Many sources suggest that MLA and Chicago formatting styles are most preferred for legibility purposes.
Works Cited Page (Using MLA Style for this example) - There are free tools such as Easybib.com that can help format the works cited page correctly with the following information.
Author
Title of source
Title of the container
Other contributors
Publisher
Publication Date
Location of the source (such as URL or page range)
Example Citation
Westland, McKenzie. “Failing Forward: How to Bounce Back after a Denial Letter.” Exousia Group: Blog, 9 Aug. 2023, www.exousiagroup.com/post/how-to-best-use-grantor-denial-letter.
Submission - The moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Ensure documents are in the required format, for example .pdf to avoid confusion and the hassle of trying to access the documents. A grantor wants the review process as seamless as possible and creating additional hurdles for the reader to jump over may disqualify you from advancing to the next review stage.
Start submission early. Technology is great when it works but when it doesn’t, it feels like the world is going to end because there is such a high dependency on electronics. We also expect electronic devices to complete complex tasks in a matter of seconds which is why we tend to wait until the last minute to execute a to-do item.
Take a final look at the initial eligibility, documents requirements, writing detail requests, and necessary information outlined by the grantor to ensure all components are present.
Adhering to a well-structured checklist not only enhances your writing skills but also ensures the inclusion of all essential components that contribute to an exceptional grant application that stands out from the rest.
Furthermore, involving a peer to review your paper using the checklist is crucial. Having an extra pair of eyes is consistently beneficial, as peer reviewers can spot overlooked errors and provide fresh ideas you might not have considered initially. This will also give an opportunity for a complete stranger who has never heard the proposal of your project, to read and provide feedback of the level of clarity. This will ensure the grantor will clearly understand the proposed program, objectives, goals, outcomes, impact, and budget needs without requiring additional explanation.
Keywords: how to write a grant, grant funding, grant writing style, grants for nonprofits, essentials in grant writing, quick tips in grant writing
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