4 Questions to Answer for Grant Writing Success
Was your most recent grant proposal declined? It probably wasn't the quality of your programs. It could be that your proposal left grant officers asking some key questions. And that's something you can fix!
Most first-time grant applications aren't funded. Experienced grant writers know that only about 20% (that's one in five!) of first-time proposals are funded. That number is frustrating when you're building a grants program, and it can be demoralizing hear more funders say "no thanks" than yes.
You'll never have a 100% success rate. But you can work to ensure your application stands out. Here are the questions funders have shared with us:
Is your grant application complete?
It sounds so simple. But I've heard many funders implore applications to really complete their application. Did you answer every question? Upload every required attachment in the requested format? Before you hit submit, check that you have:
Uploaded all required attachments.
Included all requested qualitative and quantitative data.
Clearly answered each question.
When a foundation is reviewing hundreds of proposals, the first ones they will decline are incomplete applications.
Did you answer all the questions?
A common mistake is to cram the story you want to tell into a grant application and ignoring what the funder asked. Every grant application is unique and has different questions and requirements. You can make sure you answer funders' questions by:
Tailoring your language for each grant application,
Revising your grant language to align it with the grantmaker's funding priorities,
Using simple and easy to understand language (instead of jargon!), and
Making sure that anyone who reads your proposal can grasp what you do and why it matters.
Read More: 7 Reasons You Aren't Getting Grant Funding
Does your proposal tell the grantmakers what you really do?
A strong grant application presents solutions, not problems. But what the heck does that mean?
If you can summarize your proposal as "give us money or we'll shut our doors" you've written a weak proposal. If your goals and objectives read like a wishlist rather than a plan, funders will lose confidence. And, if your evaluation plan is missing, funders may be wary about investing.
Take the time to develop a clear statement of need. Chart out simple and SMART goals and objectives. Come up with an evaluation plan you can use. This will help you articulate why your work matters - and it does!
Read More: Show Grantmakers Why Your Work Is Worth Funding
Are your budgets and financial attachments telling the same story as your narrative?
When a funder evaluates your proposal, they’re looking at all the pieces of your application. This includes your organization budget, project budget, and financial statements. These financial documents tell a clear story about your financial health. Do not overlook their impact on your funding success.
Funders will look at your expenses and revenue, and whether you have reserves or a deficit, and want to know why. If you have a deficit, how will you address it? If you have significant reserves, how are you investing them to further your mission? The attachments you submit, from your budget to your board list, are as important as the narrative. Don’t make them an afterthought.
Read More: One Habit That Will Immediately Improve Your Grant Writing
If you are wondering how you can strengthen your own grant writing, take our five-minute grant readiness assessment. It’s fun, and will help you figure out where to focus as you continue to grow your grants program. You got this!
