Grants are a critical source of funding for nonprofits, but crafting a proposal to secure one is challenging and highly competitive. Writing clear, compelling, and persuasive proposals will help your request stand out and get noticed.
We want to help you find funding resources and write next-level grant proposals. Email: Angie Thompson.
13. Show A Healthy Funding Mix
Generally, a good funding mix will limit grant funding to around one-third of its budget, with the exact percentage varying based on the organization’s type, mission, and funding sources; however, some nonprofits may rely more heavily on grants, while others might receive a smaller portion from this source.
Be strategic with your mission’s immediate impact, but also clearly outline how your mission will impact those you serve in the future. Longevity and sustainability appeal to grant funders. They show that you plan to sustain yourself with or without their grant. Look for opportunities to increase individual donor support or corporate for sustainability.
14. Clarify Effects and Outcomes
Clarify the project’s effects and outcomes, showcase measurable results, and explain how grant funds will directly contribute to project goals to demonstrate project value and effectiveness. This will help grant evaluators comprehend your proposal and show the possible benefits of their investment. Add data-driven facts and match your proposal with the funder’s vision.
15. Be Authentic in Your Appeal for The Project
Be authentic in your appeal and show a true passion for the need.
16. Match The Grantor’s Narrative Style
Whether it’s a grant, significant gift, or corporate proposal, the key to persuasion is hidden in plain sight. Look at the stories the grant providers tell in their annual reports, on their social media, and their websites. What questions do they ask in their application? Their language choices and narrative style all tell you exactly what will be most persuasive to them.
17. Write And Edit
Map out your proposal in a organized flow. Let it sit for a few hours then come back and edit. Remove unnecessary words and force every detail to earn its place in the proposal. Abbreviate when needed. Be courageous with your edits.
18. Link Budget to Narrative
Make sure the budget and the narrative tell the same story. The grant proposal narrative should support and align with the request. Rather than segment the organization’s annual budget, try to present the budget in the most compelling way that reflects broader organizational goals the grant maker will understand. Use the narrative to describe the impact.
19. Include in-kind donations
Go beyond the boilerplate budget template and demonstrate community support by listing volunteer time, donated office space, and donated services. Current national average for calculating volunteer hours is $33.49.
20. List Pending Support
List the “types” of funders you are seeking support from, i.e., corporate social responsibility funds, foundations, individuals. Sometimes, listing those more specifically can spark a program officer to make a call to a colleague at another organization to encourage support.