Grants

The following tips serve as a guide to help in the grant writing process*.

Before You Write

1. Carefully review the grant guidelines and application questions.
2. Organize your proposal and gather attachments.
3. Develop a budget that is consistent with the work plan.

In Your Application

1. Answer these questions:
   • Who are you?
   • Why are you seeking a grant?
   • How do you qualify?
   • What need/problem will you address and how?
   • Who will benefit and how?
   • What specific objectives will you accomplish and how?
   • How will you measure your results?
     
     
2. Support the need/problem with demographic data.
3. Provide a solution to the need/problem based on your experience and ability.
4. Request reasonable funding.
5. Be specific about broad goals, measurable objectives, and quantified outcomes.
6. Clearly state the roles and responsibilities of any project partners.
7. Use active, rather than passive, verbs.
8. Use concise, persuasive writing (quality is more important than quantity).
9. Use proper grammar and correct spelling.

Final Step
Submit your proposal in the appropriate and complete format, and include all required attachments.

More resources

http://www.npguides.org/

http://foundationcenter.org/

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/grant_proposals.html

http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/

*Some tips do not apply to all types of grant applications.